Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 leads an excursion consist passed Granger, Wyo., in May 2019. Though limited, Union Pacific is allowing limited excursions behind the giant steam locomotive. Justin Franz Q: After 150th Golden Spike excursion, will there be other chances to ride the Big Boy 4014? — Daniel Miltenberger, Jacksonville, Fla. A: Union […]
Railroad: Union Pacific
Ask Trains: How does the Big Boy distribute weight to its front drivers?
A side view of Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 on a test run in May 2019. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Q: With interest in the completion Union Pacific’s Big Boy’s restoration, how does the weight of the boiler get down to the front drivers? — Carl Amerlan, Downers Grove, Ill. A: Great question! As an […]
Ask Trains: Why was Big Boy No. 4014 picked to be restored?
Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 arrives in downtown Cheyenne, Wyo., on May 4, 2019. The locomotive was chosen for restoration for a variety of reasons. TRAINS Staff Q: I may have missed it, but why was UP 4014 picked over all other displayed Big Boys? — Tom Otoski, Dayton, Ohio A: A combination […]
UP train carrying munitions derails in Nevada, briefly closing Interstate 80 NEWSWIRE
WELLS, Nev.. — A Union Pacific train reportedly carrying grenades and other munitions has derailed near Wells, briefly closing a 6-mile stretch of Interstate 80. The Elko County Sheriff’s Office reports on its Facebook page that 22 cars derailed, but those carrying munitions were located at the opposite end of the train from the derailed […]
Ask Trains: What route did Big Boys take to get to Union Pacific?
Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 on a test run in Cheyenne, Wyo., on May 2, 2019. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Q: How were the Big Boys originally delivered to Union Pacific? — David Kuntz, Salt Lake City A: The exact original routings of the Big Boys have been lost to history, but we have […]
Grade-crossing collision kills driver, derails UP train in Southern Illinois NEWSWIRE
FULTS, Ill. — A Union Pacific train hit a tractor at a grade crossing in a rural area about 40 miles south of St. Louis on Friday evening, killing the driver of the tractor and derailing 30 cars of the train. The Republic-Times newspaper reports that Monroe County coroner identified the victim as 23-year-old Jonah […]
UP announces schedule for Big Boy’s next tour in the Midwest NEWSWIRE
Union Pacific OMAHA, Neb. — The Big Boy No. 4014 is headed back out on the Union Pacific system beginning July 8 for a tour, taking it through Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Called the Great Race Across the Midwest, the tour will include displays at the following locations: • July 13-14: Omaha, […]
NS and KCS seek reciprocal trackage rights in Missouri due to flooding NEWSWIRE
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Midwest flooding has prompted Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern to seek temporary trackage rights on each others’ Kansas City-St. Louis routes while Union Pacific reports essentially full service restoration on its Southern Region. KCS and NS have petitioned the Surface Transportation Board to allow NS to use 156 miles of […]
Union Pacific expands intermodal service between Denver, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles NEWSWIRE
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific, which has been pruning intermodal lanes as it shifts to a Precision Scheduled Railroading operating model, has launched more frequent intermodal service between Denver, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles. “Union Pacific is expanding the frequency of service in the Denver/Salt Lake City to Los Angeles corridor in order to […]
Union Pacific shares details, video of new ‘Employee Pride Locomotive’ NEWSWIRE
OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific has shared more information on its new “Powered By Our People” SD70ACe No. 1111, which the railroad refers to as its “Employee Pride Locomotive.” It was officially unveiled at a June 6 celebration in Omaha. Twelve employees at the Jenks Shop in North Little Rock, Ark., contributed the repainting work, […]
San Jose, Calif., considers taking Union Pacific to court over nighttime trains, other complaints NEWSWIRE
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The city of San Jose is miffed at Union Pacific, complaining about train noise and other issues along the right-of-way,and is ready to go to court over its grievances. Particularly at issue is nighttime operation of trains through downtown, which has increased in recent months as the railroad altered its operating […]
UP says it’s restored most service through flood-ravaged Arkansas NEWSWIRE
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — As Mid-South floodwaters recede, Union Pacific says most service is restored. While continuing to monitor the situation at Pine Bluff, Ark., UP says its Chicago-Texas route through the city has reopened. Only UP closures as of June 5 were between Coffeyville, Kan., and Little Rock; Tulsa and Muskogee, Okla.; the northern […]