An English import, the American railway diverged sharply from English ideals. Environment proved stronger than genetics — settled and industrializing England constrained railway builders to design the most efficient routes possible, whereas their counterparts in unsettled and impecunious America disregarded gradient and circuity on pain of not completing lines at all. As the American era […]
This Map of the Month was featured in the November 2001 issue of Trains magazine. Train frequency per 24 hours on the vast Union Pacific system, in first quarter 2001, is revealing both for what is indicated and what is not. Consider, if you will, the pre-1982 Union Pacific, i.e., before merger mania. With just […]
Union Pacific No. 7875 heads east through Rochelle, Ill., bathed in bright morning light. Photo by Sean Valk […]
A pair of CSX trains, with Union Pacific; Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern; and Kansas City Southern locomotives; wait for new crews in Willard, Ohio’s train yard. Photo by Brandon Townley […]
A Chicago commuter train is stopped at a signal on Metra’s Union Pacific West Line (UP’s Geneva Subdivision), as headlights from an oncoming eastbound train begin to round the curve on Feb. 11, 2004. Photo by Howard Ande […]
Tyler Dzierzek OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific revealed that 2011 was the most profitable year in the company’s history as it shared its carloads, revenue, and profit data for the year’s fourth quarter today. Total traffic volumes rose 3 percent, but freight revenue grew 15 percent, hinting the railroad has been commanding higher rates. UP’s strongest volume […]
Union Pacific’s Desert Victory and United Way tribute locomotives were the first to receive special paint schemes, in 1991 and 1994, respectively. John C. Benson Q I understand that Union Pacific ES44AC No. 7400 is the railroad’s 15th specially painted locomotive. What are the other 14 commemorative locomotives?— Wesley Chen, Irvine, Calif.A According to Union […]
Union Pacific C44AC-CTE No. 5374 leads a mixed-freight train past Milepost 366.7 past wind turbine generators on its way to Monolith, Calif., on April 25, 2011. William Steck photo […]
The activity level of this track belies its once important status as part of D&RGW’s Tennessee Pass. Michael Humphreys Q In December 2010, I noticed a little-used rail line running through Eagle, Colo. What can you tell me about it? The mainline rail dated from the 1950s. — Michael Humphreys, Berryville, Va. A The tracks […]
An eastbound Union Pacific freight smokes it up leaving Taylor, Texas, on a December 1995 day. On the point is a leased unit, Motive Power Industries, SD40M-2 No. 9037. The unit started out as Louisville & Nashville, SD40-2 No. 1237. J. Parker Lamb photo […]
Union Pacific “Heritage” SD70ACe No. 1989 emerges from the tunnel at Newcastle, Calif., on July 31, 2010. The engine is leading UP’s high-priority Chicago-Lathrop, Calif., intermodal train, and it’s on the home stretch to the Roseville, Calif., yard. Jake Millie photo […]
Union Pacific steam program director Steve Lee. David Hoge CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific steam program boss Steve Lee will retire at the end of this year after 22 years in his position. Lee has become synonymous with the program during his tenure. Lee went railroading in January 1972 as a student fireman on the […]
