http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/ Union Pacific Railway Forum en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 02:38:02 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/images/styles/yardlimits/misc/rss.jpg http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/ http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26870-hiring-session.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:36:43 GMT Well hi everyone, tomorrow i will be attending a hiring session for the Coffeyville, KS position(s) and i was wondering what i should be expecting... Well hi everyone, tomorrow i will be attending a hiring session for the Coffeyville, KS position(s) and i was wondering what i should be expecting and also would kinda like to know possibly how many they may be planing on hiring? Any info of any type would be appreciated, and the session is taking place in Wichita. ]]> Union Pacific Railway mduft http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26870-hiring-session.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26708-ups-reach-expanding.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:24:52 GMT Union Pacific's reach expanding
By Joe Ruff
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Union Pacific Corp., which began shipping used cars in 2006 and expanded that business last year, now will manage shipments of used cars overseas for vehicle auction and rental car companies.

U.P. will market a logistical service that combines the use of rail, truck and ship transport in one cost quote.

“There’s quite a market for U.S. used cars outside of this country,” said Roland Fortner, president of ShipCarsNow.com.

Primarily a shipper of new vehicles, U.P. expanded into the used-car sector in 2006 with the creation of a subsidiary, Insight Network Transportation, based in Auburn Hills, Mich. The company established the ShipCarsNow website in 2009 to expand the business.

Business customers supply Insight Network Transportation with price and timing requirements, and it lines up service along Union Pacific’s 23-state network in the western U.S. with railroads in the East and with trucking companies.

Before the creation of the Insight Network Transportation and ShipCarsNow.com, Union Pacific handled more than 75 percent of the automotive carload business in the western United States. But the business was mostly new cars and trucks from domestic manufacturers or imports into West Coast and Houston ports.
The trucking industry dominates the used-vehicle market, which is roughly three times larger than the new-vehicle market, U.P. officials said.

Brandon Borgna, a spokesman for the American Trucking Association, said the used car market tends to be small shipments of two or three cars over relatively short distances, which gives trucking an advantage.

“These are really smaller shipments,” he said. “They don’t justify moving by rail.”

Union Pacific said it developed tracking and logistical systems in 2008 that make mingling cars easier and less costly.

Changes included loading vehicles onto rail cars in order based on final destination, tracking vehicle identification numbers of mingled loads and setting up a pricing structure for used vehicles based on the type of car, points of origin and destination.
The used-car subsidiary signals to auto dealers and other potential customers that the railroad can handle both small and large loads of vehicles, U.P. officials said. In many cases, they said, the railroad can charge less than a full-load price by shipping even one vehicle with a larger load.

Union Pacific also has partnered with a separate company, Dependable Auto Shippers, to move cars and trucks for individual owners. Eventually, U.P. expects to handle each step of the process for individual auto owners, without working through an intermediary.

Union Pacific’s primary rival, BNSF Railway, which also operates in the West and is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc., offers domestic used-car dealers a similar program called “Cars on Track” through subsidiary BNSF Logistics, but it doesn’t manage overseas shipments, said Krista York-Woolley, a spokeswoman for the company.

“We just haven’t seen a big demand for used cars overseas,” York-Woolley said.

Fortner said U.P.’s overseas service will begin this month. Along with getting vehicles across the country and onto ships, the service includes working with customs officials to clear shipments, Fortner said.

Union Pacific’s auto business generated about 6 percent, or $854 million of its $14 billion in revenue last year, said company spokesman Tom Lange. The used-car segment is a smaller part of that revenue stream, but the company doesn’t release the dollar amount of that business, Lange said.

U.P. expects to move about 90,000 used cars and trucks in 2010, more than double last year’s volume, he said. International shipping could increase business by 20 percent by 2012, Lange said.

The railroad began its used-vehicle effort before the recession started in December 2007, and the service provided a new market during the economic slowdown, Lange said.

Other new markets sought by the railroad in recent years include shipping wind turbines and parts for wind power companies and hauling pipeline equipment for natural gas firms, he said. ]]> Union Pacific Railway rrbob http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26708-ups-reach-expanding.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26666-kirkwood-amtrak-station.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:40:16 GMT Just got marked up to a road job now and I noticed that when we went through the Amtrak station at Kirkwood theres always a bunch of little kids... Just got marked up to a road job now and I noticed that when we went through the Amtrak station at Kirkwood theres always a bunch of little kids taking pictures and shit. Whats the deal with this? ]]> Union Pacific Railway UnknownSubstance http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26666-kirkwood-amtrak-station.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26479-san-antonio-houston.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:14:34 GMT I have 4 years with the KCS and Im currently in shreveport....Im originally from tx and would like to get back. I have applied for houston and san... I have 4 years with the KCS and Im currently in shreveport....Im originally from tx and would like to get back. I have applied for houston and san antonio and dont know quite frankly which one would be better...so to say....to go to the interview for. I know its same shit diff RR....but I neeed to get back to tx. any advice or helpful knowledge of either place would be great. ]]> Union Pacific Railway resauto http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26479-san-antonio-houston.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26451-no-vacation-supplemental-board-guys.html Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:53:46 GMT Rumor is that the UP will start denying vacation to people on the supplemental boards because they do not work enough miles to get vacation. Anyone... Rumor is that the UP will start denying vacation to people on the supplemental boards because they do not work enough miles to get vacation. Anyone else hear this? ]]> Union Pacific Railway mad dog http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26451-no-vacation-supplemental-board-guys.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26375-union-pacific-patents-new-multi-level-car.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:14:42 GMT Union Pacific patents new multi-level car Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Union Pacific has unveiled its new AutoFlex convertible multi-level... Union Pacific patents new multi-level car
Wednesday, August 25, 2010


Union Pacific has unveiled its new AutoFlex convertible multi-level car for transporting vehicles. UP said it holds 15 patents related to the design and process in developing the car, designed by UPs engineering group and built by UP forces at the railroads DeSoto, Mo., car shop.

UP said the 90-foot-long car can be adjusted to bi-level or tri-level vehicle transport while using the same rack structure.

UP claimed these benefits for AutoFlex customers:

* Easier convertibility and more flexibility resulting from the ability to quickly and efficiently adjust the rail car to transport large or small vehicles.

* Enhanced loading and unloading safety resulting from convenient access provided by an improved panel end-door structure.

* Increased service quality thanks to a proven durable door edge system, improved tie-down chock systems, and upgraded in-transit damage protection.

* Superior security by removing exterior ladder access to the railcar roof and upper decks. The ladder is accessible only when the end doors are open.

Improving safety and efficiency create greater value for our customers, said Julie Krehbiel, Union Pacific vice president and general manager - Automotive. With the AutoFlex convertible multi-level, we can more easily adjust to changes in consumer purchasing trends and keep our customers products moving. This is a newly engineered railcar, not a converted bi-level car, and our engineering group did an outstanding job in developing this new railcar.

Results of our preliminary tests have been very promising in terms of vibration, stability and overall ride quality, said Barry Kanuch, Union Pacific chief mechanical officer. We are excited about the cars performance so far.

UP spokesman Tom Lange said current plans call for constructing 100 AutoFlex cars per year for the foreseeable future. UP will build the cars itself in DeSoto. ]]> Union Pacific Railway rrbob http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26375-union-pacific-patents-new-multi-level-car.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26366-up-toying-monster-trains.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:18:30 GMT UP toying with monster trains Union Pacific Railroad unleashed what critics are dubbing the monster train on unsuspecting Southern Californians... UP toying with monster trains
Union Pacific Railroad unleashed what critics are dubbing the monster train on unsuspecting Southern Californians earlier this year, according to Dennis Wyatt of the Manteca, Calif., Bulletin.
The train was a record setting 3.4 miles long or almost three times the length of a typical freight train. Instead of the average 70-car freight train hauling 3,000 tons it pulled 295 cars with 618 piggy-backed shipping containers hauling 15,500 tons.

This was all done as an experiment to see how much more efficient Union Pacific could become by putting together longer trains. UP officials contend by increasing the average train length up to 15 percent they can reduce their carbon footprint as well as extend the life of their tracks.

The real question is how many lives will be shortened because of longer UP trains?

Three times longer trains block at-grade crossing three times longer. That would mean longer delays for fire and ambulances in life threatening emergencies.

This isnt an academic question for Manteca or Lathrop residents. The Union Pacific is in the process of quadrupling its intermodal yard that moves freight in truck containers to rail flatbed cars. The monster train on the railroads Sunset Route from Dallas to Ontario was an intermodal train.

While UP made it clear that the one-time train of 3.4 miles was simply an experiment there is no federal law limiting how long trains can end up being.

That means the railroad will be free to lengthen trains as they see fit if tracks will accommodate them.

Imagine, if you will, waiting three times longer for a train passing through Manteca at the Main Street, Yosemite Avenue, Center Street, Union Road, Airport Way, Woodward Avenue, or Spreckels Avenue crossings.

It gets worse. What will happen if longer trains come in and out of the Lathrop intermodal operation? Longer trains will block more crossings and for even longer periods of time as the intermodal trains come to a stop and then drop off flatcars.

UP is not the only railroad toying with longer and longer freight trains to essentially reduce their costs and increase profits under the guise of being worried about the environment.

What makes this a tad disingenuous is that railroads are fighting attempts by truckers to increase the weight and length of trucks allowed on the interstate system. The reason? The railroads claim there are safety considerations but the more a truck can haul the more completive they are against the railroads.

As for claims of fewer emissions by taking 600 18-wheelers off the roads, what of the tens of thousands of cars that will idle longer at railroad crossings waiting for monster trains to pass?

Then there is the question of the efficiency of other businesses. How much money would be lost by delivery companies and such because their employees are sitting in company vehicles three times longer trying to cross railroads?

None of this should surprise you.

Before Hiram Johnson attained the governorship in California in 1911 and liked minded progressives prevailed nationwide, the railroads pretty much had their way. They had an economic chokehold on many California communities because they had a freight and passenger service monopoly and essentially set prices without fear of competition. Allowing the railroads to gain the upper hand on trucking in the name of reducing polluting and increased efficiency for the railroads is akin to slicing off your arm to stop a finger from bleeding.

Railroads have a proven record and well-deserved reputation of not exactly being trustworthy when it comes to the publics best interests.

Dont expect any congressman suddenly to become a populist and push for federal regulations on train lengths.

Nor can you expect any cheap local remedy. One bridge crossing of the railroad tracks would easily run into the $8 million to $10 million range.

There is a clear danger to allowing trains to keep getting longer. Union Pacific has already started increasing typical trains by 10 to 15 percent. The real question that must be answered is how long is long enough in terms of the general publics best interests?

As it stands now, only the railroads are having that conversation and there is no federal law to cap their enthusiasm for reducing costs and increasing profits by rolling out longer and longer trains.

(This item appeared Aug. 20, 2010, in the Manteca Bulletin.)



August 20, 2010 ]]> Union Pacific Railway rrbob http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26366-up-toying-monster-trains.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26365-10-guest.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:45:36 GMT Hey, you 10 guest lurking around on here, SIGN UP. That's right, register right now and make a post telling us what you like and dislike about this site. Thanks. ]]> Union Pacific Railway rrbob http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26365-10-guest.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26340-rr-xing-mile-markings-up.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:24:58 GMT I just got an update from the Texas state leg rep: Brothers and Sisters, Some time ago (June 10) I sent out an email regarding the removal... I just got an update from the Texas state leg rep:

Brothers and Sisters,



Some time ago (June 10) I sent out an email regarding the removal of MP
markings on crossing signal boxes on the UP system. The email was to inform
everyone in Texas that the FRA in Washington had objected to UP upper
management over the removal of the MP markings. The statement from the FRA,
which was included in my email, also indicated that the UP would stop
removing the markings and would be re-stenciling the crossing signal cases.
We have since learned that the FRA statement was overly optimistic to say
the least.



Since I sent the information out I have been receiving numerous inquiries
asking when the crossings would be re-marked. I have also received numerous
emails and phone calls explaining that UP had not, in fact, stopped removing
the markings. In fact, it appeared the removal accelerated after the (June)
FRA inquiry to the UP management.



This email is to let everyone know, first of all, that I appreciate all the
help and information I have received. Without feedback from the membership,
I have no way of knowing when the carriers are acting up.



Secondly, I have not given up on this issue although it appears, right now,
that the MP markings will not be put back on the signal cases.



The reason the MP markings were removed in the first place is UP is
currently mapping the system, using GPS, for positive train control system
which has to be implemented by 2015. During the mapping UP discovered that
historic MP locations were not accurate in many places including at many
road crossings. This created a problem because the updated electronic data
base containing the correct crossing location no longer matches the historic
MP location marked on many crossings. I asked UP management to leave the MP
markings on the crossings while the electronic data base is being updated
but was told no. The reason I was given is that signal maintainers are
instructed to use the electronic data to issue a crossing protective order,
not the actual MP marking at a crossing. It makes no sense to me but that's
what I was told.



UP management has taken the position that crossings will be identified in
the field using the DOT number instead of the MP location. Operating crews
will have to refer to a track profile to cross reference the MP location of
a crossing protection order to the correct crossing using the DOT number. I
have objected to FRA that this procedure is clumsy at best.



Originally, since UP was removing the markings system wide, I went to the
FRA in Washington for help. Recently, after again pressing the issue in
Texas on the Toyah sub, I received a note from Washington that FRA region 5
in Fort Worth would be investigating.



This is where we are right now with this issue. I will update this
information as necessary. Please keep me informed as well and be careful out
there!



Fraternally,



Terry D. Briggs, Chairman

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen

Texas State Legislative Board ]]> Union Pacific Railway Bradoplata http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26340-rr-xing-mile-markings-up.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26223-requirements-train-crew.html Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:03:59 GMT I recently applied for a train crew job in Coffeyville KS, I received a DUI in 06 the conviction date was September of 20th of 07 will this... I recently applied for a train crew job in Coffeyville KS, I received a DUI in 06 the conviction date was September of 20th of 07 will this disqualify me? The app said 36 months so I decided to call UP Hr dept no one was able to tell me. So I thought I’d check here on how long it would be before I’d be elg for a Job working for the railroad ]]> Union Pacific Railway Hurley http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26223-requirements-train-crew.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26145-train-handling-guides.html Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:23:56 GMT For some of the newer brothers and sisters coming on, here is a link to some downloadable profiles to help you. Comes in handy when you're going thru the engine service program. You can save as .pdf and print later. But as the disclaimer says, the information is not proven to be 100% correct and all timetables and general orders supersede these profiles.
https://employees.www.uprr.com/emp/o...ng/index.shtml

You may need to put in user ID and password. ]]> Union Pacific Railway mad dog http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26145-train-handling-guides.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26010-questions-about-borrowing-out-fort-worth.html Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:44:20 GMT If it matters, I have a 2003 date. Would I be able to hold any road jobs? If so, where do they go to from Fort Worth? Also, does the Fort... If it matters, I have a 2003 date.

Would I be able to hold any road jobs? If so, where do they go to from Fort Worth?

Also, does the Fort Worth Service Unit cover Chickasha, Oklahoma? Would I be able to work out of there?

TIA ]]> Union Pacific Railway Danger http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/26010-questions-about-borrowing-out-fort-worth.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/25990-truck-driver-killed-trying-beat-oncoming-train.html Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:58:21 GMT Source:* Semi Truck Driver Killed Trying To Beat an Oncoming Train - FELA Lawyer News Blog... Source: Semi Truck Driver Killed Trying To Beat an Oncoming Train - FELA Lawyer News Blog

WHITEWATER, KS – The driver of a semi truck was killed after colliding with a Union Pacific freight train on Kansas Highway 196 (K-196) near Whitewater, Kansas on Tuesday, August 10, 2010.


Semi truck driver killed after colliding with Union Pacific freight train near Whitewater,
KS

Whitewater is in Butler County, Kansas in the south-central part of the state about 133 miles southwest of Topeka, about 30 miles northeast of Wichita, about 122 miles southwest of Manhattan and about 50 miles southeast of Hutchinson.

The accident happened in Harvey County at about 1:45 p.m. at the railway crossing on K-196 near Osage Road just west of the County line between Harvey and Butler counties.


Location of semi truck and train accident near Whitewater, Kansas on Tuesday, August 10, 2010.

The man who was killed was Herbert Entz, 80 years old from Whitewater. He died at the scene. The report from the Kansas Highway Patrol said that he was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident.

Entz was pulling a double trailer at the time. The semi truck was hauling a load of corn. He was travelling eastbound on Hwy 196 at the time. When Entz approached the tracks, the arms were down, but witnesses say Entz tried to get around them and that was when he was struck by the southbound train.

The train struck the cab of the truck. Entz was killed upon impact.

Witnesses told law enforcement that the crossing arms were down and flashing at the time of the crash. They saw the truck go around them.

The Union Pacific engineer saw the truck about a quarter-mile away and applied the emergency brake. Despite his efforts he was unable to stop the train in time to avoid the collision.

After the crash, the train proceeded through the crossing another 10 cars down the tracks before it was able to come to a stop.

The semi truck was crushed in the force of the collision and corn and diesel fuel were spilled onto the highway. The train was not carrying anything hazardous at the time and did not derail in the incident.

Fortunately, no passengers or railroad employees were injured. There was no damage to the train, and no one else was injured.

As of 3 p.m. the tracks and K-196 were to be closed until early evening as crews cleared the debris and while law enforcement officials gathered evidence from the crash scene. ]]> Union Pacific Railway http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/25990-truck-driver-killed-trying-beat-oncoming-train.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/25930-up-hiring.html Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:29:35 GMT I was just looking on the UP website, wow alot of train crew openings....I guess we are hiring... I was just looking on the UP website, wow alot of train crew openings....I guess we are hiring... ]]> Union Pacific Railway mad switcher http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/25930-up-hiring.html http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/25928-transfers-dont-do.html Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:58:50 GMT I just transferred to North Little Rock giving up my seniority and seemingly some of my dignity! LOL! Just a warning to any potential transfers to... I just transferred to North Little Rock giving up my seniority and seemingly some of my dignity! LOL! Just a warning to any potential transfers to N. Little Rock or any where. DONT DO IT!! I just noticed that N.L.R was advertising for more transfers. Well Im in the first transfer class out of three and Im barely hanging on the Pine Bluff board which is part of our seniority in N.L.R. Its totally bogus. Plus there hiring off the street starting in September. You will be cut off down here, DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!:eek: ]]> Union Pacific Railway Nightstalker Hunts http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/union-pacific-railway/25928-transfers-dont-do.html