Union Pacific – Page 18 – Railfanning.org

UP: Rail Cars at Border Crossings Are in Government Control

March 23, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — The federal government, not a private railroad, is responsible for rail cars entering the country from Mexico, Union Pacific said in response to a lawsuit the federal government filed. “As Union Pacific explained in its lawsuit filed against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in July 2008, it is Customs and Border Protection (CBP), not Union Pacific that takes initial control over rail cars entering the U.S. from Mexico,” the railroad said in a statement. “Union Pacific believes DHS is punishing Union Pacific for drug smuggling when it has no control over what occurs in Mexico. Union

Kansas Officials Learn About Crossing and Pedestrian Safety Onboard Special Train

March 23, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

A special passenger train is making stops this week in several Kansas communities over Union Pacific Railroad lines to promote highway-railroad crossing and pedestrian safety through a program called Operation Lifesaver.”Operation Lifesaver” is the nationwide, non-profit public safety education and outreach program designed to eliminate collisions, deaths and injuries where streets and roads cross railroad tracks at grade and on railroad rights-of-way. Hundreds of community leaders, law enforcement officers and education officials are learning about highway-railroad grade crossing safety and the consequences of trespassing on railroad property. “This special train is just one way we can work to educate and

DOJ Sues Union Pacific for Allegedly Failing to Prevent Use of Rail Cars to Smuggle Narcotics Across Border

March 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The government has filed two lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad Co. for allegedly failing to prevent the use of its rail cars to smuggle large quantities of narcotics into the United States, the Justice Department announced. The complaints, filed in San Diego and Houston, seek more than $37 million in monetary penalties. The government alleges the rail cars were brought across the border at the ports of entry at Calexico, Calif., and Brownsville, Texas. According to the complaints, Union Pacific Railroad, the largest provider of rail transportation services in North America, has substantial Mexico rail operations, serving

Union Pacific Announces Annual Distribution of Interest on Certain Bonds and Debentures

March 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad Co. announced that it has determined the contingent interest and sinking fund payments due in respect of Available Net Income for 2008 under the terms of certain bonds and debentures originally issued by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Co. (MPRR). Union Pacific Railroad Company is required to publicly announce such annual determination. The bonds and debentures were assumed by Union Pacific Railroad Company as a result of the merger of MPRR with and into Union Pacific Railroad Company on Jan. 1, 1997. On April 1, 2009, Union Pacific Railroad Company will pay contingent interest ($4.75

Improved Train Flow, Enhanced Safety and Reduced Environmental Footprint Highlight Metra Union Pacific West Line Improvements

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Improved passenger and freight train flow, an enhanced safety design, and a reduced environmental footprint are among the benefits of the Metra Union Pacific west line improvement project. Work at the stations is scheduled to begin in March and conclude near the end of 2010. Metra service will not be disrupted while the project is under way. “These improvements will help create a more fluid railroad operation, decrease commuter and freight delays, and reduce motorist wait time at grade crossings,” said Phil Pagano, Metra executive director. “These upgrades address today’s west line rail traffic congestion issues and

Union Pacific’s New Davidson Yard Track Advances Progress on Southwest Parkway

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — As rail cars rolled past local officials on a newly built track at Union Pacific Railroad’s Davidson Yard, Union Pacific Chairman and CEO Jim Young announced that the railroad has accomplished the first critical milestone in paving the way for construction of the Southwest Parkway. This new, temporary-use track is a vital part of the operation of Davidson Yard because it is the track that guides rail cars to the incline, or “hump,” where the cars are separated from each other and then guided by switches into destination-specific tracks. The new track was built to enable

Fortune Names Union Pacific Most Admired Railroad

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Fortune has named Union Pacific the railroad industry’s “Most Admired” company as part of the magazine’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” survey. Union Pacific ranked No. 1 among the railroads in each of Fortune’s nine key attributes of reputation: innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment and global competitiveness.”Our goal is to operate a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible railroad that delivers value for customers and shareholders,” said Jim Young, Union Pacific president and CEO. “I am extremely proud of the tremendous focus, dedication and effort by all our

Union Pacific Railroad Opens New San Antonio Intermodal Terminal

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Local elected officials and community leaders joined Union Pacific Chairman and CEO Jim Young in celebrating Union Pacific’s San Antonio Intermodal Terminal opening in southwest Bexar County. The facility represents a more than $100 million investment by Union Pacific. It provides efficient transportation that brings environmental and economic benefits to the south Texas region and will help Union Pacific better serve its customers. “Whether coming from a West Coast Port, a Mexican maquiladora or going to an East Coast or Midwest metropolitan area, the San Antonio Intermodal Terminal gives our customers faster, more direct intermodal rail

STB Seeking Public Comment on UP Request for Declaratory Order

March 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has instituted a proceeding and invites public comment on a Union Pacific petition for a declaratory order. In its petition, UP requests that the Board determine the extent of the common carrier obligation to quote rates for new, lengthy movements of chlorine, a toxic inhalation hazard (TIH). The chlorine movements at issue would average 1,900 miles in distance and travel through two High Threat Urban Areas and several other large cities. UP declined to quote rates for these movements pending the outcome of this proceeding. UP believes the risk of potential exposure from long-distance

NTSB to Discuss Metrolink Crash

February 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public hearing on the 2008 collision in Chatsworth, Calif., involving a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train. The two-day hearing will begin on March 3 at the NTSB’s Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington. At 4:22 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2008, Metrolink commuter train 111 and a Union Pacific freight train collided. As a result of this head-on accident, there were 25 fatalities and numerous injuries. On the day of the accident, the Metrolink engineer, who was responsible for the operation of the