Union Pacific – Page 19 – Railfanning.org

Union Pacific Invests Nearly $12 Million for Track Improvements to Its Big Springs-to-Potter, Neb., Line

July 2, 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 $12 million in track improvements made by Union Pacific Railroad to its Big Springs-to-Potter, Neb., line.When the project is complete, crews will have removed and installed more than 90,000 ties, spread nearly 29,000 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed and renewed road surfaces at 50 crossings. Work began on the project June 24 and is scheduled to be completed by mid August. Union Pacific invested more than $254 million for capital projects in Nebraska in 2008.

UP: Special Train Focuses on Rail Safety Enforcement

May 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

PHOENIX — There is no such thing as luck when it comes to trying to beat a train. Federal Railroad Administration statistics attribute 2,373 crashes every year to driver behavior, which often involves trying to beat a train. That is why Union Pacific is partnering with Arizona Operation Lifesaver to host an “Officer on the Train” event May 22.A special passenger train will allow community leaders, law enforcement officers and education officials to learn about highway-railroad grade crossing safety and the consequences of trespassing on railroad property. “We want to offer community leaders the opportunity to see first-hand the risks

Union Pacific and Progress Rail Services to Launch Initial Operation of Ultra Clean Diesel Locomotive for Intermediate Line Haul Service

May 21, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad and Progress Rail Services announced their plan to launch the initial operation of an ultra clean diesel SD40-2 locomotive equipped for intermediate line haul service. Equipped with state-of-the-art after-treatment, this customer evaluation unit will begin Union Pacific operations this month with an initial revenue-service run between the railroad’s San Antonio and Fort Worth service units, respectively. “We are excited about the prospects of bringing more environmentally friendly locomotives into service while still meeting our operational needs,” said Bob Grimaila, Union Pacific senior assistant vice president, Safety and Environment. “We know there are challenges ahead

Union Pacific Names Two Marketing Executives

May 21, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad has named Bernardo Ayala vice president, Mexico markets, and John Newman assistant vice president of the company’s newly formed network and industrial development group, respectively.Union Pacific is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico. The railroad delivers value to its customers by working to ensure seamless international border service and efficient operations between Union Pacific and connecting railroads in Mexico. Union Pacific’s International Customer Service Center processes and monitors customer shipments and trains, and assists customers through a bilingual call center. Ayala is responsible for the strategic and tactical management of the company’s

Union Pacific Moves Its 200,000th Loaded Coal Train From Wyoming’s Southern Powder River Basin

May 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific Railroad moved its 200,000th loaded coal train out of Wyoming’s Southern Powder River Basin (SPRB) coal field since Union Pacific and the former Chicago & North Western completed a 107-mile rail line to the region in August 1984. The Chicago & North Western merged with Union Pacific in 1995. One rail car of coal provides the energy togenerate enough electricity for more than 20 homes for a year. Union Pacific’s 200,000 trains out of the SPRB have carried enough coal to power all the homes in the United States for 5 years. Approximately 50 percent

CSXT Employee Named Rail Industry’s Top Environmentalist

April 29, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A CSX Transportation employee from Jacksonville, Fla., was recently named the railroad industry’s top environmentalist. Michael E. O’Malley, who is assistant chief engineer, facilities, for CSX Transportation in Jacksonville, was one of five railroaders who were nominated to receive the John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award, named after the late Senator from Rhode Island, a strong environmentalist who understood and promoted the environmental advantages of rail transportation. Also honored at the reception was Delaware Senator Thomas Carper, who received the Congressional Chafee Award which annually goes to a member of Congress who, like Senator Chafee, is dedicated to

Hear That Train A Comin’: Historic Steam Locomotive To Visit the West on Heritage Tour

April 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Thousands of people will have the chance to see this “living legend” in person when Union Pacific’s historic steam locomotive, No. 844, travels from its base in Wyoming, to California on a 32-day, four-state tour. The “Western Heritage Tour” will be rolling from April 11 through May 12, heading through many cities and towns that witnessed the birth of the railroad. The 844 will make special stops in eight cities across Nevada, California and Utah for the public to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity, the No. 844 Western Heritage Tour. The Steam Locomotive will help

Labor Department Orders Union Pacific to Reassign Worker to Former Position Following Whistleblower Investigation

April 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered Union Pacific Railroad Co. to reassign a Beverly, Iowa, welder to his former position, reimburse him for travel expenses and pay compensatory damages associated with personal hardship following a whistleblower investigation. OSHA investigated the employee’s allegation that Union Pacific retaliated against him for requesting a lookout while performing work on adjacent railroad tracks and asking for tools to make the field weld process safer. The investigation found that the track maintenance manager illegally abolished the welder position in Beverly, forcing the worker to accept

UP Recognizes Chemical Customers for Safety Excellence

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific recently announced the recipients of the railroad’s 13th annual Pinnacle Award for chemical transportation safety. The award annually recognizes companies that have successful prevention and corrective plans as well as a rate of zero non-accident releases (NARs) for shipments of regulated hazardous materials. “The Pinnacle Award gives Union Pacific the chance to acknowledge and thank our customers for their continuing efforts to eliminate chemical releases from rail cars,” said Diane Duren, vice president and general manager – chemicals. “We work closely with all customers to help prevent an accidental release during transit of chemical shipments

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