KENOSHA, WIs. — A Union Pacific worker was struck and killed today (Wednesday, Sept. 4) by a Metra commuter train in Kenosha, WISN-TV reports. The incident occurred about 12:17 p.m. near 13th Avenue and 69th Street, about a half-mile south of the Kenosha Metra station. The worker killed has been identified as 34-year-old Austin Scott […]
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OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena says the railroad has made progress on safety, service, and operations since he became chief executive a year ago — but he’s quick to add that there’s still plenty of room for improvement. The scorecard for Vena’s first year as CEO, which began on Aug. 14, 2023, […]
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Trains Bob Lettenberger’s pick: Union Pacific No. 4014 — Big Boy — 2022 Cheyenne-Denver trip Name of train: Big Boy The route: Round trip Cheyenne, Wyo. — the home base for UP’s steam program, and Denver’s Union Station. I got to ride in Big Boy’s cab traveling north from Greeley, Colo., to Cheyenne. Duration: The […]
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MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Thirty-eight cars of a Union Pacific coal train derailed about 2 miles east of Marshalltown on Sunday evening, Aug. 4, KCCI-TV reports. The derailment occurred about 5:30 p.m. No injuries were reported. Marshalltown is about 148 miles west of Clinton, Iowa, on UP’s Clinton Subdivision. It is about 70 miles west of […]
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GLIDDEN, Iowa — An estimated 36 cars of a Union Pacific intermodal train derailed Monday evening about a mile east of Glidden, Carroll Broadcasting reports on its website. No injuries were reported, and no hazardous materials were involved, a Union Pacific spokesman told the radio stations. The derailment occurred about 5 p.m., blocking both grade […]
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OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has promoted Josh Perkes to senior vice president and chief human resources officer, reporting directly to CEO Jim Vena, effective Aug. 1. Perkes will be responsible for all human resources and labor relations functions and become a member of the company’s senior leadership team, the railroad said today. “Josh embodies […]
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OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific’s profits rose in the second quarter despite a sharp drop in coal traffic. “When you remove coal, our total volume was up 3% in the second quarter. This demonstrates that even in a tough freight environment, we are winning with our customers to bring new business to the railroad,” CEO […]
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ABILENE, Texas — Thirty-two cars of a Union Pacific train derailed today (Sunday, July 14) on the west side of Abilene, KTAB/KRBC-TV reports. The derailment was reported to Abilene police shortly after 10 a.m. No injuries were reported, and no hazardous materials were involved. A Union Pacific representative told the station the railcars involved were […]
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MELROSE PARK, Ill. — The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the death of a Union Pacific railroader who was fatally injured in Proviso Yard over the weekend. WFLD-TV reports that the worker has been identified by the Cook County coroner as 27-year-old Justin Pender. “Preliminary information indicates on July 6, at approximately 1:59 a.m. […]
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QUINCY, Mass. – RailState, which tabulates rail traffic using a network of sensors placed on public property along main lines, last week provided a snapshot of long trains rolling along BNSF Railway and Union Pacific in the Southwest. The longest train RailState spotted over a 10-day period this month: A five-locomotive UP stack train carrying […]
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Rarely does a locomotive capture both the elements of power and beauty. As train enthusiasts we love the power aspect, but often the result is boxy, odd, or bland. The Union Pacific’s ten FEF-class steam locomotives set a standard for rugged beauty, and one in particular has had an operation life of 79 years. That […]
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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The George H.W. Bush Presidential Center officially opened the new pavilion that houses Union Pacific SD70Ace No. 4141 on Thursday, which would have been the president’s 100th birthday. The 29,000-square-foot pavilion on the Texas A&M campus also includes a helicopter that was frequently used as Marine One to carry the president […]
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