CPKC asks regulators to force Union Pacific to honor trackage rights agreement covering grain shipments to Houston and Galveston

red, yellow and other colors on a locomotive

WASHINGTON — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has asked federal regulators to prevent Union Pacific from blocking the movement of its grain trains to the ports of Houston and Galveston via trackage rights on UP via Beaumont, Texas. The Interstate Commerce Commission granted Kansas City Southern “South End” rights over UP as part of its approval […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Coal Hauling Trains

Tons of Black Gold rides the rails under Big Skies. Tom Danneman is frequently there to capture these unit trains, so we’ve compiled this video of heavy haulers working the western main lines. These big trains and even bigger skies are all part of what makes Tom’s brand of contemporary railfanning so compelling to view […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Coal Hauling Trains

Tons of Black Gold rides the rails under Big Skies. Tom Danneman is frequently there to capture these unit trains, so we’ve compiled this video of heavy haulers working the western main lines. These big trains and even bigger skies are all part of what makes Tom’s brand of contemporary railfanning so compelling to view […]

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Union Pacific’s General Electric U50C locomotives

Yellow General Electric U50C locomotives in yard beneath mountain peaks

Union Pacific’s General Electric U50C locomotives were the last double-diesel model to join the roster, beginning in late 1969. They were, however, the least successful of the three production models the railroad acquired.     GE built 40 U50C locomotives for UP between September 1969 and January 1971. (Their production dates largely mirrored those of […]

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Union Pacific names Vena as new CEO (updated)

Man in coat and tie

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific today named Jim Vena, its former chief operating officer, as the railroad’s next chief executive. The announcement comes five months after one of UP’s largest investors publicly demanded that the board oust CEO Lance Fritz and hire Vena as his replacement [see “Union Pacific to seek new CEO …,” Trains […]

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UP locomotive recognizes employee-focused programs

Side view of yellow locomotive with five logos added to usual UP lettering

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Union Pacific has announced the release of a locomotive recognizing its Employee Assistance Program and four other employee-focused programs. The railroad announced last week that SD70ACe No. 8388 “went into service earlier this year” on its network following work at UP’s Jenks Locomotive Shop in North Little Rock. The locomotive […]

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Big Boy’s Home Run Replay (with video)

Big Boy steam locomotive rounds curve on a sunny day.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 made its 2023 debut in June and July with the Home Run Express to the NCAA Men’s College World Series in Omaha, Neb. Though a tradition for the Class I railroad to showcase its various equipment at the 12th Street display site outside Charles Schwab Field, […]

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