We didn't have any difficulty spotting the Union Pacific train painted in Armour yellow with the bright signal red strip on the bottom. As you were directed on the Anniversary Special of Union Pacific at the Hoyt Street train station, we were impressed how attractive the train was. This train will travel throughout the twenty-three states that the company services.
Our host for this reception celebrating the 150 years of service to our country was Robert Turner, Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations. The train serves as Bob's home. His personal sleeping car was built in 1914. The Honduras mahogany paneling that surround his sleeping quarters speaks of a by-gone era when trains were the chief mode of transportation. The day quarters of the same car has elegant appointments throughout and gas light fixtures that have been converted to electricity. Built into a cabinet is a television set that rises out of the base with the push of a button. It seems oddly out of place, but a reminder that this is a working office with computers, and the like.
What follows is an interview with Robert, who is well versed in sharing the Union Pacific story.
Q. Bob, tell us how Union Pacific Railroad was started.
A. We attribute our beginnings with President Abraham Lincoln who, in July 1, 1862, signed the Pacific Railway Act. From that single act on the part of President Lincoln we have grown to serve a majority of the United States with 8000 locomotives and 44,000 employees. We are the fifth oldest Fortune 500 Company on the New York Stock exchange.
Q. In a snap-shot what is Union Pacific doing today?
A. At any given time throughout the day we have 140 trains a day going through the state of Nebraska. Our headquarters is Omaha and is where the original Continental line began. Throughout the 32,000 route miles we have 1,200 trains operating during a 24 hour period. We move goods that keep America alive. Literally every part of this nation's survival depends on the moving of products like food, oil, gasoline, chemicals, trucks and automobiles and a thousand other items. In the process we save energy doing it.
Q. How efficient is moving freight on the railroad?
A. We can move 1 ton of freight 500 miles on one gallon of diesel. A single freight train can take 300 trucks off of our crowded highways and freeways. There is no doubt about the fact that trains are the most efficient means of moving large volumes of freight. Manufacturers and shippers recognize that fact and as a result our business continues to grow.
Q. What kind of growth do you see for Union Pacific?
A. This year alone we will invest in purchasing 100 locomotives at a purchase price of $2.5 million each unit. That is a real job creator at General Electric and Caterpillar which manufactures our locomotives From the year 2000 to 2011 we invested $31 billion in upgrading equipment and infrastructure to better serve our customers and provided thousands of jobs for the nation.
Q. What do you see for the future of your railroad?
A. We will continue to grow in order to accommodate the demands of our country. Currently, besides purchasing new locomotives, we are building new rail cars because of the increased orders. In part we see a change in manufacturing returning to America from foreign markets. This is a complete turnaround from what we have experienced in the past as manufacturers were seeking a cheaper labor force to the south and overseas. If this trend continues it will only help to strengthen our country and the railroad will continue to see prosperous times.
As a footnote Troutdale has twenty-seven trains on average day pass through our city. There is also a railroad bridge traversing the Sandy River.
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| Standing is Brock Nelson and with the microphone Robert Turner both with Union Pacific Railroad. |
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