Union Pacific Increasing Train Speed Through Big Spring, Texas

(2005-03-19)

Union Pacific Railroad will increase the speed of its trains to 70 mph for freight trains and 79 mph for passenger trains on the rail line operating through Big Spring, Texas.

Train speeds will be increased five miles per hour each week beginning March 28 until the new speed limit is reached on April 4 for freight trains and April 11 for passenger trains. Trains currently operate through Big Spring at 60 mph because of track and operating constraints. Recent track improvements permitted higher speeds. The railroad averages two passenger trains a year operating over the line.

Union Pacific has raised train speeds through several communities following necessary highway/railroad grade crossing signal modifications and has found that not only do the trains operate more efficiently, but also motorists are not stopped at the crossings as long.

Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, is the largest railroad in North America, covering 23 states across the western two-thirds of the United States. A strong focus on quality and a strategically advantageous route structure enable the company to serve customers in critical and fast growing markets. It is a leading carrier of low-sulfur coal used in electrical power generation and has broad coverage of the large chemical-producing areas along the Gulf Coast. With competitive long-haul routes between all major West Coast ports and eastern gateways, and as the only railroad to serve all six major gateways to Mexico, Union Pacific has the premier rail franchise in North America.

For further information, contact Mark Davis: (402) 544-5459

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