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Feb
28

UP marks third straight year of lower fuel consumption

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Feb
28

UP marks third straight year of lower fuel consumption

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 2/28/2022 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad announced last week that it has lowered its fuel consumption for the third year in a row, helping its customers eliminate 22.9 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by choosing rail over truck.In 2021, the Class I’s fuel consumption rate — measured in gallons of fuel per thousand gross ton-miles — improved 1%, its best-ever performance. On average, rail consumes three to four times less fuel than moving the same freight on the highway, UP officials said in the railroad’s Inside Track blog.The record comes as UP began 2022 by advancing its ESG goals, including purchasing the world's largest carrier-owned fleet of battery-electric locomotives for testing in yard operations. First deliveries are expected in late 2023. In late December, UP released its climate action plan, which includes a commitment to pursue net zero emissions by 2050.The railroad’s fuel-efficiency gains can be attributed to numerous operational and technological advancements, including identifying ways to reduce idling engines and ensuring that the optimal horsepower is used to haul freight.Another key element is expanding and improving the use of energy management systems (EMS) on nearly 2,900 locomotives in the railroad’s fleet. Installation of the original EMS prototype occurred in 2011.Today, the system has been refined and improved, with more train crews using the system sooner and longer on individual train trips. The goal is to finish installing the system in all of UP’s high horsepower locomotive fleet by 2024.

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Feb
10

UP issues first 'human capital' report

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Feb
10

UP issues first 'human capital' report

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 2/10/2022 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad has released its first “We Are One” human capital report, which includes milestone achievements in the Class I's efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workforce.Under UP’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives, nearly half of the railroad’s new hires in 2021 were people of color, while 13% were female. Half of UP’s board was also comprised of diverse individuals. Management promotions included 30% people of color and 20% female.In addition, the railroad won multiple awards reflecting its commitment to a diverse workforce, including a spot on the Noteworthy List of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by Diversity Inc.; being named a 2022 “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality” winner; and recognition from Latina Style’s Top 15 Employee Resource Groups of the Year in 2021."Our goal is to help all employees grow personally and professionally, providing them fulfilling careers," said Beth Whited, UP executive vice president of sustainability and strategy.Recruiting “remained agile” at UP amid nearly 500 virtual career fairs over two years and the launch of the Second Chance hiring program that provides opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, UP officials said in a press release. Eighty percent of eligible senior collegiate interns were also offered a full-time position.UP’s current DE&I goals include increasing its people of color employee population to 40% from the current 29.4% and doubling its female population to 11% by 2030."To achieve our goals, we've taken action — launching virtual career fairs, creating strategic recruiting partnerships and promoting internship opportunities," said Tonya Eggspuehler, UP's assistant vice president of talent management and workforce resources. "We're also focusing internally to ensure we're retaining our current talent.”

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Jan
31

UP to assemble largest battery-electric locomotive freight fleet

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 1/31/2022 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
UP's purchase includes 10 FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives from Wabtec. Photo – up.com

Union Pacific Railroad last week announced plans to assemble the world’s largest battery electric freight locomotive fleet.

UP will purchase 20 battery-electric locomotives from Progress Rail and Wabtec Corp. for testing in yard operations. The combined purchases and upgrades to yard infrastructure are expected to exceed $100 million, representing the largest investment in battery-electric technology by a U.S. railroad, UP officials said in a press release.

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Jan
26

UP subsidiary Loup Logistics acquires Phoenix transload facility

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 1/26/2022 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
The purchase will enable UP to expand transloading and storage in Phoenix. Photo – Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad subsidiary Loup Logistics Co. has acquired Precision Components Inc.'s (PCI) transload facility in Phoenix.

Finalized last month, the acquisition will enable UP to expand transloading and storage services for shippers in the Phoenix market, Loup officials said in a press release.

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Jan
20

Union Pacific posts higher revenue, profit in Q4

Union Pacific Corp. today reported fourth-quarter 2021 net income of $1.7 billion, or $2.66 per diluted share, up from net income of $1.6 billion, or $2.36 per diluted share, in the same quarter in 2020.

The 2020 adjusted results exclude a $278 million pre-tax, non-cash impairment charge.

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Dec
30

UP-served Savage Gulf Rail Facility opens in Texas

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 12/30/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held recently for the Savage Gulf Rail Facility in San Patricio County, Texas. Photo – up.com

The Savage Gulf Rail Facility, which will be served by Union Pacific Railroad, has opened in San Patricio County, Texas.

The rail yard — which was the site of a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony — was built to support the multibillion-dollar Gulf Coast Growth Ventures plastics plant, a new joint venture between ExxonMobil and chemical manufacturer SABIC.

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Dec
07

UP unveils plan to achieve GHG emission reduction targets

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 12/7/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad yesterday published its first comprehensive climate action plan outlining its approach to driving climate action and responding to emerging risks affecting the rail industry.The Class I also announced its commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050."As the world takes action to address climate change, Union Pacific is taking thoughtful and deliberate steps to improve our environmental footprint," said Chairman, President and CEO Lance Fritz in a press release. "We experience first-hand the effects of climate change and are urgently working toward our shared sustainable future."In February, UP received approval from the Science Based Targets Initiative for its target to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 26% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline. The approved target aligns with what climate scientists say is needed to meet the Paris Agreement, limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.UP's plan highlights the following steps to reduce GHG emissions: Improve operational efficiency and minimize fuel consumption with a more efficient locomotive fleet and energy management technology; Promote rail as the environmentally preferable surface transportation solution and explore emerging supply chain circularity opportunities; Decarbonize UP's environmental footprint by increasing the use of low-carbon fuels and innovating with alternative propulsion methods and nature-based solutions; and Engage stakeholders and harness Union Pacific's influence to develop and advance rail- and climate-friendly policies. For more details about UP's sustainability plan, click here

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Nov
24

UP launches employee-led environmental group

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 11/24/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Planet Tracks is the first business resource group dedicated to sustainability at a Class I, according to UP Chairman, President and CEO Lance Fritz, shown third from left. Photo – up.com

Union Pacific Railroad has launched a new employee-led business resource group focused on environmental sustainability.

Called "Planet Tracks," the new group is dedicated to "helping employees champion and promote environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives," UP officials reported in the Class I's Inside Track newsletter.

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Nov
19

UP implements OptRail's AMP technology

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 11/19/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad has implemented digital technology company OptRail's new Advanced Movement Planner (AMP) technology on the Class I's CADX system.CADX is the UP’s primary system used by dispatchers to manage train movement across the railroad's 23-state network. AMP provides real-time information that will help identify potential delays or disruptions. In some cases, the AMP may be used to automatically correct potential issues without involving a dispatcher, UP officials said in a press release.The technology is based on a mathematical approach, which, unlike rule-based algorithms, allows flexibility when modeling rail operator goals.Implementation of AMP across the 32,000-mile UP system is expected to be finished by year's end.

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Nov
12

UP recognized for recruiting, hiring military veterans

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 11/12/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Nearly 20% of Union Pacific employees are veterans, with some still active in the National Guard or Reserves. Photo – up.com

Union Pacific Railroad was named a 2021 Gold Medallion recipient by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (USDOL) HIRE Vets Medallion Program, which advocates for the hiring and support of veterans.

UP has accomplished “exceptional achievement” in recruiting and hiring veterans, USDOL officials said in a press release. UP has hired former military service members since its beginning in the 1860s when it hired Civil War veterans. More than 17% of UP employees have military experience with some still active in the National Guard or Reserves. Veterans represent 24% of new hires within the last five years.

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Nov
10

UP ties $5.5 million in grants to DEI goals

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 11/10/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad is donating the funds to 576 nonprofit organizations. Photo – Union Pacific Railroad

Union Pacific Railroad is awarding $5.5 million in grants to 576 nonprofit organizations part of the Class I's Community Ties Giving Program.

Eighty-three percent of the money is going to “local organizations that align with UP’s civersity, equity and inclusion (DEI) values," UP officials said in a press release. An estimated 16 million people across the railroad's 23-state network will benefit from the grants, which were awarded based on the company's three top philanthropic priorities: safety, workforce development and community spaces. The grants range from $2,500 to $25,000 each.

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Oct
26

UP steps up efforts to reduce supply chain congestion

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 10/26/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad yesterday announced additional steps aimed at reducing the supply chain backlog and speeding up the flow of goods to and from the West Coast ports.To encourage weekend in-gates and reduce backlog at the ports, UP will run a pilot program through Dec. 31, offering a $60 per container refund to its ocean carrier customers for each container in-gated on Saturdays and Sundays at its near-port intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) in Long Beach, California.The refund will apply to containers in-gated incremental to each customer's current 2021 weekend average, UP officials said in a press release.UP recently increased gate access to 24/7 at ICTF, adding 20 weekend hours and providing customers with greater opportunities to move freight in and out. The move supports the ports of Los Angeles’ and Long Beach’s recent move to 24/7 operations.The refund is another example of Class I's continued efforts to find creative solutions to ease supply chain congestion, company officials said. Other steps UP has taken include the reopening of its Global III terminal outside Chicago and its Englewood terminal in Houston, providing additional inland storage capacity. UP has also shuttled freight to less stressed terminals within the same metroplex to maximize freight availability for its customers.With the nationwide driver shortage being a key factor in the congestion, UP is leveraging technology with its UPGo app to decrease the time it takes a driver to drop off and pick up intermodal containers, and UP is utilizing subsidiary drayage capacity through its LOUP subsidiary to help shippers.

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Oct
21

Union Pacific posts Q3 records for income, operating ratio

Union Pacific Corp. today reported third-quarter 2021 net income of $1.7 billion, or $2.57 per diluted share, compared with $1.4 billion, or $2.01 per diluted share, in the third quarter 2020.

Operating revenue for the quarter rose 13% to $5.6 billion, while operating income climbed 20% to $2.4 billon compared with the same period a year ago.

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Oct
19

Union Pacific hauls historic military vehicle

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 10/19/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
When a tank is disabled in combat, the U.S. military calls on the M88 Recovery Vehicle. Photo – up.com

Union Pacific Railroad recently shipped the military vehicle that pulled down the statue of Saddam Hussein during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, according to an article posted on the Class I's Inside Track website.

UP subsidiary Loup Logistics provided a first and final mile transportation solution for the 140,000-pound M88A2 Hercules.

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Oct
18

UP files federal suit over unions' objections to vaccine requirement

Union Pacific Railroad on Oct. 15  filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court after receiving communications from three unions protesting the Class I's vaccination mandate.

The unions involved are the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD), the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWED).

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Oct
05

UP: Supply chain challenges need coordinated response

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 10/5/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Everyone in the supply chain must take stock of what they can control, wrote UP AVP Elise Gosch. Photo – up.com

Each member of the supply chain must focus on optimizing their part of it and keep communicating with other players both upstream and downstream to address challenges, according to Union Pacific Railroad's Inside Track newsletter.

Changes in consumer spending habits during the pandemic, labor shortages in the trucking and warehousing industries, and final-mile delivery delays are contributing to industry-wide supply-chain shortages in the United States, wrote Elise Gosch, UP's assistant vice president of marketing and sales-premium intermodal.

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Sep
17

Illinois panel OKs grade crossing improvements on UP line

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 9/17/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) recently granted approval for the installation of new automatic flashing light signals and gates and the reconstruction of existing highway approaches at a Union Pacific Railroad grade crossing in Bonnie.The total estimated cost to install the new automatic warning devices is $262,805. ICC staff recommends that the state's Grade Crossing Protection Fund be used to reimburse UP for 95% of the installation costs, not to exceed $249,665. The railroad will pay all remaining installation costs and cover the future costs to maintain the new warning devices. The village of Bonnie is required to reconstruct the existing highway approach grades at East Lang Lane, but will be reimbursed by the state for all related costs. All the approved work must be completed with 12 months.

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Sep
02

UP ramps up hiring efforts

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 9/2/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad announced it is among U.S. employers actively hiring as the nation’s economy continues to improve.The Class I is soliciting applicants for more than 50 job openings across its system, with more openings anticipated in the coming months, according to a report on UP’s website.Finding new employees "has never been more competitive or sometimes difficult," reported Ken Kuwamura, senior manager of talent acquisition at UP."Other industries, like entertainment, trucking, education, medical and construction, also are experiencing similar challenges," he wrote.Adding to the hiring challenge is a commitment the railroad made to improve its workplace diversity. By 2030, UP has said it will increase representation of women in its workforce to 11%, doubling its current population, and has a goal of increasing its minority workforce to 40%."We've included several working groups across the company to focus on many different issues that all ultimately lead back to making our work environment one that attracts many candidates from diverse families, backgrounds and experiences," Kuwamura wrote.In addition, UP has put in place an incentive program for current transportation employees to relocate to some of the areas in need of workers."The program has been a huge success and will soon be rolled out to the other crafts at Union Pacific," said Kuwamura.

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