Union Pacific – Page 20 – Railfanning.org

STB Orders Rate Relief for Oklahoma Utility Plant

July 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board issued a decision today granting an estimated $100 million in reparations and rate reductions over the next decade from Union Pacific Railroad to Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (OG&E). The utility serves more than 750,000 customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas. UP has hauled roughly 6 million tons of coal per year from Wyoming’s southern Powder River Basin to OG&E’s Muskogee Station power plant in Fort Gibson, Okla. under contracts between the parties. But after the latest contract expired on Dec. 31, 2008, UP and OG&E could not agree on a new contractual rate.

Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific Offer Refrigerated Trailer Shippers the Rail Industry’s Fastest Intermodal Delivery From Los Angeles to Atlanta With New Expedited Service

July 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad announced they have launched a new expedited intermodal service specifically designed for refrigerated trailer shippers between Los Angeles and Atlanta. This new service gives customers the option to have their refrigeration units serviced during the stop in El Paso, Texas, significantly reducing the risk of protective service failure during transit. New rail customers will find this premier service a seamless shift from over-the-road transportation by providing truck-like speed (more than 500 miles per day) and reliability. This is the industry’s fastest intermodal service between Los Angeles and Atlanta, the railroads said.

Union Pacific Donates Facility to U.S. Customs and Border Protection

July 8, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

EAGLE PASS, Texas — Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Union Pacific celebrated the opening of a new rail inspection building in Eagle Pass, Texas. Union Pacific donated the $800,000 facility to CBP. The building will serve as a one-stop location for officers who process information and inspect incoming trains. Eagle Pass Mayor Chad Foster, Maverick County Judge Jose Aranda and other guests dedicated the building, as a Union Pacific locomotive sounded its horn to officially open the new CBP rail facility. “Union Pacific and U.S. Customs and Border Protection work closely to provide safe and secure

UP: Cheyenne Frontier Days Special Train to be Pulled by Steam Locomotive

July 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

Image Courtesy Union Pacific OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad legendary steam locomotive No. 844 will pull a special train for Cheyenne Frontier Days, as well as a fundraising special for the Cheyenne Depot Museum between Cheyenne, Wyo., and Denver, Colo. The excursions will celebrate railroad heritage on Union Pacific. In order to get in position to pull this year’s Frontier Days special train, No. 844 will move to Denver’s Union Station from its base in Cheyenne, Wyo., on Thursday, July 16. On Friday, July 17, the locomotive will be on public display at Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St.,from 8

Union Pacific Announces Operations Management Changes Across its System

July 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad announced the appointments of several service unit superintendents at various locations across the railroad’s 32,000-mile system. The appointments were effective July 1. David Giandinoto has been appointed general superintendent — transportation services for the Chicago Service Unit. Giandinoto is responsible for safe operation of trains on more than 1,000 miles of track in Illinois and Wisconsin. Prior to his recent appointment he had been director — transportation services for the Houston Service Unit. Giandinoto replaces Rod Richardson who has been appointed to a position in Oakland, Calif. Giandinoto began his railroad career in 1994

AAR: Rail Freight Traffic Down in June

July 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads reported that U.S. railroads originated 1,039,889 carloads of freight in June 2009, down 19.7 percent with 255,668 fewer carloads, compared with June 2008. U.S. intermodal rail traffic – comprising trailers and containers on flat cars that are not included in carload figures – totaled 755,000 units in June 2009, down 18.2 percent compared with the same period last year with 168,031 fewer trailers and containers, the association said. For the first six months of 2009, total U.S. rail carloadings were down 19.5 percent (1,594,411 carloads) to 6,579,294 carloads, while intermodal traffic was down

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