Union Pacific – Page 15 – Railfanning.org

Union Pacific and Progress Rail Services Ultra-Clean Diesel Locomotive for Intermediate Line Haul Service Achieves 500 Service Hours Milestone

October 5, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad and Progress Rail Services announced that the ultra-clean diesel PR30C-LoNOx locomotive being tested in intermediate line haul service has successfully achieved more than 500 operational hours. The locomotive — powered by a 3516 Caterpillar engine — has been retrofitted with a state-of-the-art after-treatment system, making it one of the cleanest locomotives operating in the United States. The prototype intermediate line haul locomotive has more power than the typical 2000-horsepower 4-axle Genset “switching” locomotive used around terminals, but is less powerful than the 4400-horsepower 6-axle “line haul” locomotives used for transcontinental freight service. Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad Officially Opens One of North America’s Tallest Double-Track Railroad Bridges

October 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Chairman and CEO Jim Young, Iowa Department of Transportation Director Nancy Richardson and Boone, Iowa, Mayor John Slight commemorated one of North America’s tallest double-track railroad bridges, the new Kate Shelley Bridge in Iowa spanning the Des Moines River. Young, Richardson and Slight rode a Union Pacific train over the bridge, which is more than 2,800 feet long and 190 feet high. Representing an investment of more than $50 million by Union Pacific, the structure improves operating efficiency, supports growth in Union Pacific’s customers’ businesses and delivers increased freight capacity on the railroad’s busy corridor

Union Pacific Recognized Among Nation’s Top 50 ‘Best Places to Launch a Career’ by BusinessWeek

September 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has been named one of the nation’s top 50 “Best Places to Launch a Career” by BusinessWeek. The magazine ranks the railroad No. 28 on the list, up from No. 39 last year. “We are proud to be recognized again by BusinessWeek,” said Barb Schaefer, Union Pacific senior vice president – Human Resources. “While hiring levels have declined in conjunction with Union Pacific’s business levels during the global recession, we continue to look for ways to bring top talent into our organization. Over the next several years, we expect retirements and business growth will create

Last Steam Locomotive Built For Union Pacific Visits North Platte During Railroad Celebration

September 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Thousands descended on North Platte, Neb., to take in the sights and sounds of Union Pacific Railroad’s No. 844, the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific, and UP’s Bailey Yard during the area’s RailFest celebration. “The crowds along the route have been tremendous and we sincerely appreciate those who have taken the time to come and experience a part of Union Pacific’s heritage,” said Steve Lee, Union Pacific’s manager – operating practices and one of No. 844’s engineers. “Union Pacific’s historical ties run deep in North Platte so it is only fitting that we display

AAR: Rail Traffic Declines Continue to Slow in August

September 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported that while U.S. freight rail carloads declined in August, down 16.4 percent (at 1,116,182 carloads) compared with the same month last year, the percentage decline for the month was the lowest since February.

AAR Reports Recent Rail Traffic Gains Slow In Week Preceding Holiday

September 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Association of American Railroads reported that recent rail traffic gains have slowed in the week preceding the Labor Day Holiday. For the week ended Sept. 5, 2009, U.S. railroads reported originating 284,715 cars, down 6.7 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Regionally, carloadings were down 7.1 percent in the West and 6.0 percent in the East.

AAR Reports Rail Traffic Continues to Register Gains

September 4, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported that rail traffic continues to register incremental gains on a week-to-week basis, but remains down year over year. Rail carloadings were at their highest level since the week ended Dec. 13, 2008. For the week ended Aug. 29, 2009, U.S. railroads reported originating 285,580 cars, down 16.2 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Regionally, carloadings were down 16 percent in the West and 16.6 percent in the East. Intermodal traffic of 202,553 trailers or containers on U.S. railroads was down 15.6 percent from the same week last year. Container

UP: Joliet Intermodal Terminal Investment Supports Customer Growth; State-of-the-Art Facility Part of Centerpoint’s Integrated Logistics Center

September 4, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

JOLIET, Ill. — Union Pacific’s new Joliet Intermodal Terminal will support customer growth by increasing the railroad’s international and domestic container capacity and improving rail traffic efficiencies in Chicago, the nation’s largest rail center, the railroad said. Once on line, customers from across Union Pacific’s network will benefit from Joliet’s annual capacity of 500,000 ocean-going containers. Officials and customers gathered today to celebrate the construction commencement of Union Pacific’s nearly $370 million, 785-acre Joliet Intermodal Terminal and CenterPoint Intermodal Center – Joliet (“CIC – Joliet”), a 3,900-acre state-of-the-art integrated logistics center. “Our new intermodal terminal demonstrates Union Pacific’s unwavering commitment

Union Pacific Invests Nearly $11 Million for Track Improvements to Its Hiawatha-to-Upland, Kan., Line

August 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Trains will run more efficiently and motorists will spend less time at crossings as a result of nearly $11 million in track improvements made by Union Pacific Railroad to its Hiawatha-to-Upland, Kan., line, the company said in a news release. When the project is complete, crews will have removed and installed more than 72,000 ties, spread more than 30,000 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed, renewed road surfaces at 123 crossings and replaced rail in various curves on the line. Work began on the project today and is scheduled to be completed by the

UP, Operation Lifesaver Campaign Urges Pedestrians to Use Common Sense Around Railroad Tracks

August 26, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Look both ways before crossing! Many of us heard this warning as children and common sense says to heed it when crossing streets.That same warning applies when crossing railroad tracks, where not looking can have deadly consequences. Union Pacific Railroad and Operation Lifesaver have joined forces in San Antonio to launch a bilingual awareness campaign aimed at promoting safety around railroad tracks. The campaign, which runs through September, reminds Alamo City residents to use common sense when approaching railroad tracks. The Common Sense Campaign is specifically aimed at 18- to 34-year-olds, the group most likely to