Thursday, April 30, 2015

Union Pacific Plans to Invest $119 Million in its Illinois Rail Infrastructure

Union Pacific #News Release:


Union Pacific Plans to Invest $119 Million in its Illinois Rail Infrastructure

Investments enhance community safety and railroad efficiency

OMAHA, NEB., APRIL 30, 2015
Union Pacific plans to invest $119 million in 2015 to improve Illinois' transportation infrastructure. The company's multi-million dollar private investment will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency. Freight railroads like Union Pacific operate on track built and maintained without taxpayer funds. Union Pacific's private investments sustain jobs and ensure the company meets growing demand for products used in the resurgent American economy.
Union Pacific's planned investment covers a range of initiatives: nearly $105 million to maintain railroad track, $5 million to enhance signal systems and $9 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:
  • $9.7 million investment in the rail line between Chester and near Thebes to replace 71,000 railroad ties and install 9,175 tons of rock ballast. In addition, crews will repair the surfaces at 66 road crossings.
  • $8.6 million investment in the rail line between O'Hare International Airport in Chicago and near the Illinois/Wisconsin border to replace more than 15 miles of rail in various locations and repair the surfaces at 40 road crossings.
  • $7.7 million investment in the rail line between Chester and near Cora to replace more than 14 miles of rail in various locations and repair the surfaces at 10 road crossings.
This year's planned $119 million capital expenditure in Illinois is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2010 to 2014 Union Pacific invested more than $840 million strengthening Illinois' transportation infrastructure.
"We constantly evaluate our customers' needs to make targeted investments that enhance our efficiency and deliver the goods American businesses and families use daily," said Donna Kush, Union Pacific vice president - Public Affairs, Northern Region. "Continuing to aggressively invest in our infrastructure is an important element in Union Pacific's unwavering safety commitment."
Union Pacific plans to spend $4.2 billion across its network this year, following investments totaling more than $31 billion from 2005-2014. These investments contributed to a 38 percent decrease in derailments over the last 10 years.
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2005-2014, Union Pacific invested more than $31 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.
The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Union Pacific Railroad Conducts Crude-by-Rail Safety Training Course for Emergency Responders from 17 States

Union Pacific #News Release:


Union Pacific Railroad Conducts Crude-by-Rail Safety Training Course for Emergency Responders from 17 States

OMAHA, NEB., APRIL 29, 2015
Union Pacific Railroad conducted training for 80 emergency response personnel from 17 states April 8 - 10 and April 20 - 22. The training focused on sharpening the emergency responders' skills to better prepare them in the unlikely event of a crude-by-rail incident in or near their respective communities.
Union Pacific proactively reaches out to fire departments as well as other emergency responders along its lines to offer comprehensive training to first responders in communities where the railroad operates. The company annually trains approximately 2,500 local, state and federal first-responders on ways to minimize the impact of a potential derailment. Union Pacific has trained nearly 38,000 public responders and almost 7,500 private responders (shippers and contractors) since 2003. This includes classroom and hands-on training. In 2014, the railroad trained 314 emergency responders specifically on crude-by-rail transportation.
The recently completed training covered a variety of safety subjects, including identification of tank car types that transport crude; tank car fittings; tank car construction; chemical and physical properties of the different types of crude oil; and crude oil response precautions. Participants received hands-on experience in assessing tank car damage; making certain on-site repairs; controlling the release of crude oil from damaged rail cars; and crude oil fire suppression techniques.
Class members participated in a simulated crude oil fire. The simulation helped students understand how the railroad would work with them in an emergency, and how to work safely while on railroad property.
The three-day, 24-hour courses were held at the Association of American Railroad's Transportation Technology Center near Pueblo, Colorado. Union Pacific paid for all attendees' expenses, with no cost to communities or organizations.
Emergency response personnel from the following organizations attended the course:
  • Arkansas:
    • Malvern Fire Department, Malvern
    • Cabot Fire Department, Cabot
  • California:
    • Modesto Fire Department, Modesto
    • Manteca Fire Department, Manteca
    • West Sacramento Fire Department, West Sacramento
    • Cal Fire, Oroville
    • Cal Fire, Gridley
    • Lodi Fire Department, Lodi
    • Vernon Fire Department, Vernon
    • Tracy Fire Department, Tracy
    • Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara
    • Suisun Fire Protection District, Fairfield
    • Chico Fire Department, Chico
    • Sacramento Fire Department, Sacramento
    • Lincoln Fire Department, Lincoln
  • Illinois:
    • Crete Township Fire Department, Crete
    • South Holland Fire Department, South Holland
    • Valmeyer Fire Department, Valmeyer
    • Dupo Volunteer Fire Department, Dupo
    • Barrington Fire Department, Barrington
  • Iowa
    • Iowa Falls Fire Department, Iowa Falls
    • Clinton Fire Department, Clinton
    • Sioux City Fire and Rescue, Sioux City
  • Kansas:
    • Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Department, Lawrence
  • Louisiana:
    • West Baton Rouge Fire Protection District 1, Port Allen
    • St. George Fire Department, Baton Rouge
  • Minnesota:
    • Northfield Area Fire and Rescue, Northfield
    • Plymouth Fire Department, Plymouth
    • Little Canada Fire Department, Little Canada
    • Hopkins Fire Department, Hopkins
    • Inver Grove Heights Fire Department, Inver Grove Heights
    • Belle Plaine Fire Department, Belle Plaine
    • Bird Island Fire Department, Bird Island
  • Missouri:
    • Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Sikeston
    • Kirkwood Fire Department, Kirkwood
    • St. Louis Fire Department, St. Louis
  • Nebraska:
    • Bellevue Fire Department, Bellevue
    • Sutherland Fire & Rescue, Sutherland
  • Nevada:
    • Elko Fire Department, Elko
    • North Las Vegas Fire Department, North Las Vegas
    • Carlin Volunteer Fire Department, Carlin
    • Sparks Fire Department, Sparks
  • Oregon:
    • Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Tualatin
    • Keno Fire Department, Klamath Falls
  • Tennessee:
    • Memphis Fire Department, Memphis
    • Collierville Fire Department, Collierville
  • Texas:
    • Pittsburg Fire Department, Pittsburg
    • Argyle Fire District, Argyle
    • Temple Fire & Rescue, Temple
  • Utah:
    • Lehi Fire Department, Lehi
    • West Jordan Fire Department, West Jordan
    • Cedar Fort Fire Department, Cedar Fort
    • Salt Lake City Fire Department, Salt Lake City
  • Washington:
    • Tacoma Fire Department, Tacoma
  • Wisconsin:
    • West Allis Fire Department, West Allis
  • Wyoming:
    • Rock Springs Fire Department, Rock Springs
    • Laramie County Fire District 1, Cheyenne
Future crude-by-rail courses will be held:
  • May 13 - 15
  • October 14 - 16
  • November 4 - 6
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2005-2014, Union Pacific invested more than $31 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.
The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

Time-Lapse: Keg Creek Bridge Replacement

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Union Pacific Achieves Record Grade Crossing Safety Rate

Union Pacific .#News Release:


Union Pacific Achieves Record Grade Crossing Safety Rate

OMAHA, NEB., APRIL 28, 2015
Focus on community safety outreach, operating processes and employee training drove Union Pacific to record first-quarter grade crossing safety performance, demonstrating ongoing progress toward the company's ultimate goal of zero incidents.
Union Pacific's public safety rate, which measures the total number of Federal Railroad Administration reportable grade crossing accidents per million train miles, improved 27 percent to 1.88 versus the first quarter of 2014.
"Our strategy of reinforcing public awareness with targeted safety campaigns and community partnerships is improving safety as we move toward an incident-free environment," said Bob Grimaila, Union Pacific vice president - Safety, Security and Environment. "Through our three-pronged approach – community education, engineering enhancements and enforcement initiatives – we are enhancing safety for employees and the people in the communities they call home."
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2005-2014, Union Pacific invested more than $31 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.
The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

Transportation leaders warn that federal funding for projects could soon run out | fox4kc.com

PLEASANT VALLEY, Mo. — Work started earlier this month on a nearly $41.5-million project to improve connections around Interstate 35 in the Northland.



Both state and federal transportation leaders say the project may be the last large construction project the metro area sees for some time because federal funding for transportation improvements runs out next month, with no new money in place.



Transportation leaders warn that federal funding for projects could soon run out | fox4kc.com

Interstate 70 East out of Kansas City, Missouri

Friday, April 24, 2015

Greensburg, Kansas on US Highway 54

Hack on the track: Signaling flaw leaves UK trains vulnerable

UK train services could be vulnerable to being hacked, hijacked and crashed, due to the trial of new digital signaling system designed to make lines safer, reports ITV.
According to government advisor Professor David Stupples, the new European Traffic Rail Management System (ETRMS) could be targeted by hackers and exposed to malicious software which could result in an accident. The system – which is being implemented by Network Rail and expected to be operational in the 2020s – is designed to replace aging signal lights, using computers to transmit critical information live from the tracks.


Hack on the track: Signaling flaw leaves UK trains vulnerable

Found Photo

From Mount Rainier National Park:




Found Photo

Driving up to Paradise from Longmire hasn't always been as easy as it is now. Crossing the Nisqually River has been a bit troublesome at times. Our current bridge, seen under construction in this slide from July, 1959, is the third bridge for the Paradise road.

NPS Photo ~ams

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Transportation Empowerment Pilot

From the U.S. Department of Transportation:




Transportation Secretary Foxx in Indianapolis today, launching our Transportation Empowerment Pilot to help turn transportation projects into true ladders of opportunity. (We're kinda proud of our new LadderStep program!) http://1.usa.gov/1Gb21eN

Gasoline Railroad Speeder

From the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):




For #TBT here's a shot of Willis T. Lee on a gasoline railroad speeder performing research for Union Pacific guidebook in Sweetwater County, Wyoming 1914

#USGS #science #ThrowBackThursday #Wyoming#railroad #historical #history

Monday, April 20, 2015

Drei Mädchen im Gleis - Selfies zwingen Zug zur Notbremsung - Bremen - Bild.de

Three girls forced a train into an emergency stop by taking selfies of themselves on a railroad bridge.



The event took place on a stretch of track between Bremen and Oldenburg, Germany.



Fortunately, no one was hurt.



The girls were handed over to their parents.



Drei Mädchen im Gleis - Selfies zwingen Zug zur Notbremsung - Bremen - Bild.de

Sunday, April 19, 2015

USGS National Scour Countermeasures Evaluation

From the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):




#SciSelfieSunday — Meet Justin Boldt, a hydrologist out of Louisville, Kentucky, with the USGS Indiana-Kentucky Water Science Center. In this shot, Justin is on the left bank of the Apalachicola River under the I-10 bridge. He is part of the USGS National Scour Countermeasures Evaluation team, which is working with the Federal Highway Administration to evaluate the effectiveness and long-term performance of scour countermeasures placed near bridges throughout the U.S. In the background is a USGS survey boat collecting multibeam data around the bridge piers. This piece of equipment uses sonar to create a bathymetric map of the river bottom and pier footings.

Bridge scour is the removal of material from around piers and abutments caused by flowing water, and scour countermeasures aim to prevent or reduce bridge scour by various techniques, such as aligning the upstream flow or stabilizing the river bottom around piers with gabion mattresses or riprap. The goal of this project is to identify the state of practice in the design, construction, and maintenance of a variety of countermeasure types in a range of locations and hydraulic environments. Identifying countermeasure sites surviving major floods, those experiencing necessary or reoccurring repairs, and those with indications of failure are all of interest in this project.

#selfiesunday #usgs #science #kentucky

Springtime in Independence, MO 51

Blossoming tree or shrub next to office building.  Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 50

Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 49

Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 48

Blossoming Bradford Pear trees in retail space just south of U.S. 40 Highway.  Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 47

Blossoming Bradford Pear trees in office park in southeast corner of intersection of Missouri 291 Highway and U.S. 40 Highway.  Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 46

Blossoming Bradford Pear trees in office park in southeast corner of intersection of Missouri 291 Highway and U.S. 40 Highway.  Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 45

Blossoming Bradford Pear trees in office park in southeast corner of intersection of Missouri 291 Highway and U.S. 40 Highway.  Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 44

Office building in office park in southeast corner of intersection of Missouri 291 Highway and U.S. 40 Highway.  Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 43

Missouri 291 Highway (northbound) bridge.  Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 42

Little Blue Trace trail, Little Blue River and Missouri 291 Highway bridge.  Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 41

Little Blue Trace trail.  Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 40

Location marker, Little Blue Trace trail.  Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.



Springtime in Independence, MO 39

Bend in the Little Blue River.  Missouri Highway 291 in background.  Seen while #walking  in Independence (suburb of #KansasCity), #Missouri.  April 2, 2015.