Railroad News

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 6/12/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad late last week unveiled a $68 million plan for infrastructure projects in Iowa this year.The projects range from $55 million to maintain track and $10 million to maintain bridges in the state, according to a UP press release.Among the key projects are $5 million to replace 25 miles of rail on the UP line between Garden City and Bradford and $10 million to replace the bridge over Abbe Creek in Bertram.Iowa is the latest of UP's state-by-state announcements for capital expenditure plans this year. From 2012 to 2016, UP spent more than $330 million to improve Iowa's transportation infrastructure.

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/31/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad will pursue $85 million worth of infrastructure projects in Illinois this year.The Class I's plan includes $70 million to maintain railroad track and $10 million to maintain bridges, according to a UP press release.Key projects include $6 million to replace 16 miles of rail on the line between Elburn and Fulton, and $7 million to replace 59,594 ties and install 27,497 tons of ballast on the line between East St. Louis and Chester.This year's planned $85 million capital expenditure in Illinois is part of an ongoing investment strategy, UP officials said. From 2012 to 2016, UP spent more than $566 million on infrastructure in the state.UP plans to spend $3.1 billion on capital expenditures across its network in 2017.

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/25/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad yesterday outlined a plan to invest $49 million in its Missouri infrastructure this year. The Class I expects to spend $43 million for track maintenance and $3 million for bridge maintenance in the state, UP officials said in a press release. One key project involves replacing 92,174 ties and installing 34,481 tons of ballast on the rail line between Labadie and Chamois. That work is slated to cost $12 million.Another critical project calls for replacing 57,489 ties and installing 42,462 tons of ballast on track between Mineral Point and Annapolis. The planned projects in Missouri are the latest to be unveiled as part of UP's state-by-state capex announcements. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/25/2017

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/19/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad this year will invest $41 million in its infrastructure in Wyoming. The railroad has slotted $38 million for track maintenance and $2.8 million for bridge maintenance, UP officials said yesterday in a press release.One key project involves replacing 68,579 ties and installing 21,967 tons of ballast on the rail line in eastern Goshen and Niobrara counties. That work is expected to cost $10 million.UP also has set aside $7 million to replace 58,382 ties and install nearly 39,375 tons of ballast between Wamsutter and Rock Springs.From 2012 to 2016, UP invested more than $243 million in Wyoming's transportation infrastructure, according to the railroad.The Class I in late March began unveiling its state-by-state infrastructure plans. Since then, UP has announced investment plans for rail improvements in Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma and Utah. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/19/2017

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/17/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad announced yesterday that its 2017 capital expenditure plans include $48 million worth of projects in Utah.UP's Utah plans include $40.3 million to maintain track and $4.2 million to maintain bridges, according to a company press release.Key projects will include $18.4 million to replace 146,327 ties on the rail line between Wells and Salt Lake City; $6.8 million to replace 55,546 ties between Lynndyl and Tooele; and $2.6 million to replace 4 miles of curve rail between Ogden, Utah, and Granger, Wyo.From 2012 to 2016, UP spent more than $221 million on its infrastructure in Utah."Union Pacific's targeted investments fund projects that strengthen our railroad tracks, increase safety and minimize delays as trains travel through communities across Utah," said Wes Lujan, vice president—public affairs, Western region, in a press release. "Maintaining a healthy railroad is the foundation of our ability to serve customers and communities across the state."The Utah investment news is the latest of UP's state-by-state capex plans announced for 2017. The Class I expects to spend $3.1 billion across its network this year. The company has invested $51 billion in capital expenditures since 2000, contributing to a 40 percent decrease in derailments during the same time frame, UP officials said. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017

5/17/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/12/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad will spend $41 million on infrastructure projects in Oklahoma, the railroad announced yesterday. About $40 million will be invested to maintain railroad track and $626,000 to maintain bridges in the state, according to a UP press release. Projects will include replacing 62,431 ties and installing 28,642 tons of ballast on the rail line between Parsons and Big Cabin at a cost of $8 million; and replacing 53,308 ties and installing 24,247 tons of ballast between the Oklahoma state line and Gore at a cost of $7 million.The planned $41 million capital expenditure in Oklahoma is part of UP's ongoing investment in the state. From 2012 to 2016, the Class I spent more than $236 million to improve its infrastructure in Oklahoma."Union Pacific's targeted investments fund projects that strengthen our railroad tracks, increase safety and minimize delays as trains travel through communities across Oklahoma," said Brenda Mainwaring, vice president–public affairs, Southern region. "Maintaining a healthy railroad is the foundation of our ability to serve customers and communities across the state." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/12/2017

5/12/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/11/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
UP presented the city of Sacramento with a commemorative golden spike similar to a gold spike presented at the transcontinental railroad's completion nearly 150 years ago. (Left to right) Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and Neil Scott, UP assistant vice president-operations, Western Region.Photo – Union Pacific Railroad

5/11/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/9/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad will pursue $57 million worth of infrastructure projects in Kansas this year, the Class I announced yesterday.UP's plan includes investing $43 million to maintain railroad track and $12 million to maintain bridges, according to a UP press release.Key projects planned this year include $13 million to replace 102,740 ties and install 53,137 tons of rock ballast on the rail line between Topeka and Herington; and $4.8 million to replace 33,828 ties and install 327 tons of rock ballast on the line between Junction City and Salina.UP's "targeted investments" fund projects designed to strengthen the railroad's track, increase safety and minimize delays as trains move through cities and towns, said Donna Kush, vice president-public affairs, northern region.From 2012 to 2016, UP spent more than $425 million on projects to improve transportation infrastructure in Kansas. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/9/2017

5/9/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/2/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad has received the 2016 Toyota Logistics Excellence Award in Customer Service for the ninth consecutive year and, for the first time, the Kaizen Excellence Award recognizing excellence in continuous improvement, the Class I announced yesterday.This year is the first time Toyota honored a railroad with the Kaizen award, which commends UP's use of Toyota's problem-solving process to ensure damage-free loading at the auto ramp in Benicia, Calif., according to a UP press release."We're honored to receive the inaugural Kaizen award, demonstrating our dedication to continuous improvement, efficiency and shipment quality," said Jennifer Hamann, UP's vice president and general manager-automotive. "It is also a privilege to receive Toyota's Logistics Excellence Award in Customer Service year after year, as it reflects our unwavering commitment to provide an excellent customer experience."UP ships Toyota vehicles and auto parts throughout North America. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/2/2017

5/2/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 4/27/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Corp. today announced first-quarter net income rose 9 percent to nearly $1.1 billion, or $1.32 per diluted share, compared with $1 billion, or $1.16 per diluted share in first-quarter 2016.The $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) was a first-quarter record, UP officials said in a press release.Revenue grew 6 percent to $5.13 billion compared with $4.83 billion in Q1 2016.The Class I's operating income rose 6 percent to $1.8 billion, while the operating ratio remained flat at 65.1 percent compared with the same period a year ago. Higher fuel prices had a negative impact on the operating ratio by about 1.3 points, UP officials said."This is a very solid start to the year, especially given the weather challenges we encountered on the western part of our network earlier in the quarter," said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Lance Fritz."In keeping with our strategic value tracks, our engaged employees worked safely and productively under very difficult circumstances during the quarter," he said. "As a result, operations were restored quickly as we continued to focus on providing an excellent customer experience."Total volumes rose 2 percent, led by a 16 percent growth in coal traffic compared with last year, UP officials said.Volume increases in coal, agricultural products and industrial products combined to more than offset declines in chemicals and automotive. Intermodal volume remained flat in the quarter compared with a year ago, as increases in international intermodal offset declines in domestic shipments.Freight revenue during the quarter grew 6 percent, as a result of volume growth, higher fuel surcharge revenue, core pricing gains and positive mix, UP officials said. By category, coal revenue grew 25 percent; industrial products, 9 percent; agricultural products, 7 percent; intermodal, 3 percent; and chemicals, 1 percent. Automotive revenue declined 1 percent."With a solid first quarter performance behind us, we will continue to press ahead with our volume, pricing, and productivity initiatives through the remainder of the year," Fritz said. "Our six-track value strategy will keep us intensely focused on effectively leveraging volume growth, while providing our customers an excellent experience and our shareholders a solid return on investment." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 4/27/2017

4/27/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 4/24/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad plans to spend $26.8 million on infrastructure projects in Nevada this year.The Class I's projects in the state are expected to include $22.7 million to maintain railroad track and $1.8 million to maintain bridges, according to a UP press release.Key projects planned in 2017 include:
• replacing 60,854 ties on the rail line between Elko and Winnemucca at a cost of $7.5 million;
• replacing 15,406 ties on the line between Sparks and Floriston, Calif., at a cost of $2.2 million; and
• replacing 12,190 ties on the line between Verdi and Reno at a cost of $2.1 million."Union Pacific's targeted investments fund projects that strengthen our railroad tracks, increase safety and minimize delays as trains travel through communities across Nevada," said Wes Lujan, UP's vice president of public affairs in the western region.From 2012 to 2016, UP spent more than $244 million to strengthen its infrastructure in Nevada. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 4/24/2017