UP

“Earlier this month, @UnionPacific began filling several of their locomotives with REG’s UltraClean BlenD™. See how running on 100% biofuels can help them reach their sustainability goals. …” REG tweeted on May 9, 2022. (Screenshot of an REG Video, Courtesy of REG.)

UP, Wabtec, REG Launch Renewable Fuels Testing

Union Pacific (UP), in partnership with Wabtec and Renewable Energy Group (REG), earlier this month started a “trial of 100% renewable fuels as part of our comprehensive ESG initiative called Building a Sustainable Future 2030.”

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.

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.

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.

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.