Commentary

Unrehearsed, Unpolished, Inexperienced

FINANCIAL EDGE, RAILWAY AGE MAY 2022 ISSUE: Sports journalists say they don’t root for teams; they root for stories. At “Financial Edge,” the circumstance is the same. There always needs to be something to write about. Nonetheless, at its heart, “Financial Edge” roots for the railroads. The North American rail system should be an unfailing anchor for the nation, for its survival, growth and economic stability. Unfortunately, North American rail continues to look like a first-time performer at “open mike” at the logistics theater: unrehearsed, unpolished and inexperienced.

UP Trimming Heritage Fleet (UPDATED)

Union Pacific has donated a “small portion,” including three of the largest locomotives ever built, of its heritage fleet to non-profit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA). The equipment comes from UP’s Steam Shop

70 Chemical Shippers Reach UP Pinnacle

Union Pacific (UP) has recognized 70 chemical shippers for their dedication to safety with the 2021 Pinnacle Award.

The American Locomotive Company (ALCO) built 25 Big Boys for UP from 1941 to 1944. As the story goes, the 4000-class series originally was to have been designated the “Wasatch,” but an unidentified ALCO worker wrote “Big Boy” in chalk on the smokebox of one unit during construction, and that’s the nickname that stuck. The chalk marking that appeared decades ago has been reproduced on 4014’s restored smokebox (center photo).

Postponed: ‘Big Boy’ West Coast Steam Tour

Union Pacific’s (UP) articulated 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” No. 4014—one of the largest and perhaps most famous steam locomotives ever built—was to head on a month-long tour this summer, but the trip has been postponed.

UP Chairman, President and CEO Lance Fritz

Fritz: ‘Operationally, We Did Not Meet Expectations’ (UPDATED, Cowen)

Union Pacific (UP) posted “solid” first-quarter 2022 results, Chairman, President and CEO Lance Fritz said on April 21, but “[o]perationally, we did not meet expectations, which is having an impact on our customers.”

Commentary

Court to UP: Cease ‘Antiunion Animus’

Novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.” They also are very different from the labor union brothers and sisters they employ.

Commentary

‘The Game Has Changed’

Editor’s Note: The Surface Transportation Board is conducting an in-person hearing April 26-27 (EP 770, Urgent Issues in Freight Rail Service) with the CEOs of the “Big Four” Class I railroads—BNSF, CSX,

CSX, NS, UP Ranked as Best Companies for Women

CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS) and Union Pacific (UP) were among the more than 270 companies named as best places to work in 2022 by the Women’s Choice Award.

UP Issues 2021 ESG Report

Union Pacific (UP) on April 13 released the 2021 Building America Report, an update on its Environment, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) initiatives.

Will UP Start Metering Traffic?

Union Pacific (UP) is calling on customers to help reduce the number of active railcars on its network, as the Class I railroad’s operating car inventory and car dwell times rise, and car and train velocities decline.

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