WAUKESHA, Wis. — Watch for major changes to Union Pacific’s Chicago-based intermodal operations this month. Rumors are already swirling about specific traffic shifts and operations changes, but the only definite details available come from a May 2 UP notice announcing Intermodal re-shuffling. Specifically, railroad officials say they’ve sought to “simplify” Chicago intermodal operations by idling […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. — 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 […]
