UP marks 30th anniversary of Mexican franchise

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/12/2022 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
The Class I's Mexican franchise was created May 8, 1992. Photo – UP

Union Pacific Railroad this week marked the 30th anniversary of Union Pacific de Mexico, the Class I's Mexican franchise that was created on May 8, 1992.

UP has been a "protagonist of growth" amid increased trade between the United States and Mexico in segments including beer, grain, automotive, appliances, metals, coal and finished fuels, wrote Vice President of Mexico, Marketing and Sales Beto Vargas Garcia on UP's Inside Track website. The Class I began doing business in Mexico two years before the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect in 1994, when Mexico's rail industry was privatized.

"Union Pacific has also been part of the transformation of Mexico's rail infrastructure," wrote Vargas Garcia. "We also invested in our border connections and operations dedicated to meeting the growing demand for rail transportation between the two countries."

The Class I's access to Mexico through the six main rail gateways allows it to collaborate with both Mexican railroads. UP owns a 26% stake in Ferromex.