Railroad News

Union Pacific Railroad announced last week it has established a $3 million partnership with the National Park Foundation (NPF) to help encourage younger generations to explore the national parks via the Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque movement.

"Union Pacific transported early park-goers to adventures out west," said Scott Moore, UP's senior vice president of corporate relations and chief administrative officer, in a press release. "Today, we deliver the goods Americans use every day to our nation's busiest cities and quietest towns, passing through rugged, beautiful landscapes. We traverse America's backyard, and we want the next generation to explore it."

Today, Union Pacific Corp. announced its first-quarter net income totaled $1.3 billion — or a Q1 record $1.68 per diluted share — compared with $1.1 billion and $1.32 per diluted share, respectively, in first-quarter 2017. Diluted earnings per share jumped 27 percent year over year.

The Class I's other financial results for the quarter show operating revenue rose 7 percent to $5.5 billion, operating income climbed 8 percent to $1.9 billion and the operating ratio improved 0.6 points to 64.6, although higher fuel prices negatively impacted the ratio by about 0.2 points, UP officials said in a press release.

Union Pacific Railroad plans to spend more than $8 million this year to bolster infrastructure in Minnesota and Montana.

The Class I has budgeted $6 million to improve infrastructure in Minnesota, including $3.4 million to maintain track and $1.8 million to maintain bridges.

Union Pacific Railroad this year will invest $24 million in its infrastructure in Colorado.

The Class I has set aside $17.3 million to maintain track and $4.8 million to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects will include $3.4 million to replace more than 26,000 ties between Denver and Fort Lupton, and $3.3 million to replace more than 19,000 ties between Lazear and Somerset.

Union Pacific Railroad this year will invest nearly $60 million in its infrastructure in Arizona and Washington.

In Arizona, the Class I has budgeted $26.5 million to improve rail infrastructure. That sum includes $14.5 million to maintain track and $3.2 million to maintain bridges in the state.

Union Pacific Railroad has slated $38 million this year for capital expenditures in New Mexico.

The Class I's capital expenditure plans for the state include $15 million to replace 135,775 ties and install 92,220 tons of ballast between Tucumcari and Vaughn, and $4.8 million to replace 43,974 ties and install 22,440 tons of ballast between Vaughn and Corona.

Union Pacific Railroad on Monday announced plans to invest $45 million in its infrastructure in Oklahoma this year.

Key investments include $24 million to replace 50 miles of rail between the Kansas-Oklahoma line and Pryor, Oklahoma. The Class I also will invest $3.6 million to replace 26,250 ties and install 18,548 tons of ballast between Gore and Wagoner.

Union Pacific Railroad has announced a $65 million capital expenditure program for Nebraska and a $63.3 million capex program for Oregon this year.

The Class I's plans for Nebraska include $54.9 million to maintain track and $3 million to maintain bridges.

Union Pacific Railroad will spend $103.6 million this year to maintain track and bridges in Illinois.

The Class I's 2018 capital expenditures program includes $40.8 million to maintain track and $23.5 million to maintain bridges in the state, according to a UP press release.

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