An inbound Metra UP West train eases past track construction as it approaches the River Forest, Ill., station on Oct. 27, 2019. Union Pacific will place the third track into service between River Forest and Melrose Park this weekend, leading to some Metra delays and service changes. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Union Pacific is […]
Two DPU locomotives bring up the rear as an empty Union Pacific unit coal train heads west through Lombard, Ill., in June 2019. Moody’s Investor Services foresees a continued slide in production of Powder River Basin coal, previously a major source of traffic for UP and BNSF Railway. TRAINS: David Lassen NEW YORK – Despite […]
CHICAGO — More layoffs are coming at Union Pacific as traffic volume continues to fall amid global trade disputes, tougher competition from trucks, and the ongoing slide in coal. By the end of the year, UP expects its workforce to be at least 18% below the levels of the fourth quarter of 2018, Jennifer Hamann, […]
Union Pacific’s George H.W. Bush Presidential Library commemorative unit, No. 4141, seen here at Butler, Wis., in June, will be in Big Boy No. 4014’s consist Friday. Trains: Jim Wrinn BRYAN, Texas — Two of the most celebrated locomotives of our age — Big Boy steam locomotive No. 4014 and Union Pacific’s George H.W. Bush […]
A hawk uses a Union Pacific PTC radio tower to survey the landscape for its next meal at La Fox, Ill., in September 2019. UP reports PTC has been implemented on 93 percent of the system mileage requiring the technology. TRAINS: David Lassen OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific now has positive train control operating on […]
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Bureau of Transportation has begun repair work on a key roadway bridge damaged by a Union Pacific derailment, and Oregon Public Broadcasting reports another lane could be open by Thanksgiving. The North Going Street Bridge — the only route to and from the Swan Island industrial area, which includes United […]
SPOKANE, Wash. — Union Pacific said it was able to quickly repair and restore to service a bridge that had been closed when struck by a truck. The city of Spokane reported in a Twitter post that the Altamont Street railroad underpass in East Spokane was closed after sustaining “significant damage” after being struck by […]
A Union Pacific merchandise train climbs the Tehachapi grade in California in September 2019. Bill Stephens OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific’s shift to an operating plan based on Precision Scheduled Railroading ultimately will enable the railroad to capture more traffic thanks to a combination of lower costs, better service, and a more robust merchandise network, […]
Tail-gating vehicles are stacked up on a rural Iron County, Utah, dirt road paralleling the Union Pacific’s main line. A medical helicopter prepares to lift off with the most seriously-injured. A total of six drivers and 10 passengers were involved. Iron County (Utah) Sheriff’s Department “What steam locomotive?” That was the initial response when Trains […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific today confirmed that it has stopped humping cars at Neff Yard in Kansas City, Mo. Neff is the fourth hump UP has idled amid its shift to Precision Scheduled Railroading. The humps at Proviso Yard in Chicago, Hinkle Yard in Oregon, and Pine Bluff Yard in Arkansas were previously mothballed […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific revenue and profits declined in the third quarter as the railroad’s efficiency gains and cost-cutting were not enough to offset an 8% decline in traffic volume. Operating income declined 2%, to $2.2 billion, as revenue sank 7%, to $5.5 billion. Net income also fell 2%, to $1.5 billion. Earnings per […]
An inbound Metra train approaches the site where preparations are under way to add a third track on the Union Pacific West line near River Forest, Ill., in December 2018. Metra has agreed to built a soundwall at the site in response to concerns from adjacent homeowners. TRAINS: David Lassen RIVER FOREST, Ill. — Responding […]
