McPHERSON, Kan. — A broken wheel is believed to have caused Sunday’s derailment of a Union Pacific train in McPherson, leading to a spill of denatured alcohol, the Associated Press reports. The derailment Sunday morning ignited a small grass fire in addition to causing the alcohol spill [see “Union Pacific train derails …,” Trains News […]
Railroad: Union Pacific
Union Pacific names CSX Transportation executive to senior operations position
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific today named longtime CSX Transportation executive Brian Barr as its senior vice president of transportation. Barr, who is currently senior vice president of network planning and services at CSX, will join UP on April 15. He will report to Eric Gehringer, UP’s executive vice president of operations. “Union Pacific has […]
Union Pacific train derails in central Kansas
McPHERSON, Kan. — Thirteen cars of a Union Pacific train derailed Sunday morning, starting a small grass fire and leading to a leak of denatured alcohol from two of the cars, KSN-TV reports. The derailment was reported about 9:40 a.m. McPherson Fire Chief TJ Wyssman told the station crews from Union Pacific, hazmat teams, and […]
Start of expanded Altamont Corridor Express service pushed back
MODESTO, Calif. — Planned expansion of the Altamont Corridor Express commuter rail service into Stanislaus and Sacramento counties will be delayed by two years, with the first trains not running until 2026, the Modesto Bee reports. The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, which manages the service currently running between Stockton, Calif., and San Jose, attributes […]
See the Lionel Union Pacific rocket train in action
The Lionel Union Pacific rocket train has caused quite a stir in the toy train world! Chris Montagna has another exclusive product review of it for Classic Toy Trains and Trains.com. It comes in a great big, nicely decorated box weighing 24 lbs.! Inside are 13 cars and a modern locomotive. The set, formally known […]
Union Pacific hit with $557 million verdict in Texas collision case
HOUSTON — A Texas jury has awarded a woman $557 million in damages after she was struck by a Union Pacific train and suffered major injuries while the woman was reportedly sitting on railroad tracks in downtown Houston in March 2016. The verdict was handed down Friday, March 3, in Harris County 129th District Court. […]
Union Pacific grain cars derail in Kansas
WELLINGTON, Kansas — No injuries were reported after 18 cars of grain from a Union Pacific train derailed near Wellington on Saturday evening, CBS News reports. The railroad told CBS, “Crews have cleared the derailed cars, and track repairs are currently underway.” The derailment occurred about 5 p.m. Wellington is about 30 miles south of […]
Bigger is not necessarily better: the Alco C855 locomotives
The Alco C855 locomotives is a locomotive that Union Pacific should have never considered purchasing. The railroad’s operating department had always favored big motive power to move its mainline trains; just look at its 4-12-2 Union Pacifics, 4-6-6-4 Challengers, and 4-8-8-4 Big Boys in steam days. That philosophy carried over to a fleet […]
Union Pacific to seek new CEO after hedge fund prods board of directors
OMAHA, Neb. — A hedge fund, arguing that Union Pacific ranks dead last in every important operating metric, has asked the railroad’s board of directors to replace current CEO Lance Fritz with former Chief Operating Officer Jim Vena. Soroban Capital, which has a $1.6 billion stake in UP and ranks among its top 10 investors, […]
Wayside detectors in spotlight after Norfolk Southern derailment in Ohio
Norfolk Southern is inspecting all of its nearly 1,000 wayside hotbox detectors in the wake of the Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that safety investigators say was caused by a wheel bearing failure. NS also has confirmed that detectors in the East Palestine area were all operating properly when merchandise train 32N rolled […]
STB ‘applauds’ sick-leave agreements between CSX, UP, and unions
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board says it welcomes moves by CSX Transportation and Union Pacific to provide paid sick leave for union workers, according to a statement issued today (Wednesday, Feb. 22). “The Board applauds the efforts of CSX and UP in taking the lead to work with the unions to address this critical […]
UP coal train derails in Nebraska
GOTHENBURG, Neb. — Approximately 31 cars of a Union Pacific coal train derailed on Union Pacific’s triple-track main line across Nebraska early today (Tuesday, Feb. 21), stopping rail traffic for more than six hours. No injuries were reported and no hazardous materials were involved in the accident that occurred about 1:45 a.m., UP spokeswoman Robynn […]