Union Pacific Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales Kenny Rocker

UP’s Rocker Issues State of the Railroad Report

“As we round out June and officially head into summer, I’m encouraged by the progress the team has made to provide a better customer experience for you,” Union Pacific (UP) Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales Kenny Rocker told customers in a June 20 railroad status report. “The network continues to remain fluid as we build upon the service improvements that we’ve made over the past couple of months. Car velocity across the network has exceeded 200 miles per day for the ninth consecutive week, driving better on-time performance for you.”

Photos clockwise from upper left: Union Pacific (UP) Conductor Ronnie Fisher and his wife, Yvette, aboard a UP dome lounger; with his family in Rome in 2005 are daughter Raven, Ronnie, daughter Reve, and Yvette; receiving recognition at the 50-year honorees ceremony held at the UP Center on May 17 are Chairman Lance Fritz (left), Ronnie and Executive Vice President-Operations Eric Gehringer. (Caption and Photographs Courtesy of UP)
Commentary

50-Year UP Railroader Ronnie Fisher: ‘My Regular Passengers Became My Friends’

In 1970, I worked for the Chicago Police Department as a Community Service Aide (CSA) in a pretty rough neighborhood where I resided. It was a special program to prepare candidates for becoming police officers. CSAs provided a wide range of services, including canvassing the neighborhood, giving insight to the police force concerning issues observed in the community, and providing service to the elderly and others in need.

Photo by Bruce Kelly

Reports: Tiger Cool Express on Ice (Updated With Commentary)

Kansas City-based Tiger Cool Express LLC has abruptly halted operations and closed its doors, effective immediately, according to a LinkedIn post from former Vice President of Sales Jared Nye, the Kansas City

Operation Gratitude shared in a June 12 Facebook post: “We’re less than a week from our Christmas in July assembly with CSX! We will be on-site in Jacksonville to assemble 7,500 Care Packages for Service Members deployed overseas.” (Photograph Courtesy of Operation Gratitude via Facebook)

Class I Briefs: CSX, UP

Volunteers will assemble 7,500 care packages for U.S. troops this month on behalf of CSX and national nonprofit Operation Gratitude. Also, Union Pacific (UP) Manager-Train Operations Nick Sahinen earns the railroad’s 2023 Chairman’s Environmental Award.

UP Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jennifer L. Hamann

UP Revises 2Q, Full-Year 2023 Operating Ratio Forecast

Union Pacific’s (UP) added labor expense this year, combined with lower business volumes and increased operating costs, “will likely result in a full-year 2023 operating ratio that exceeds 2022 levels,” according to the Class I railroad’s June 13 Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing.

Nichols, who hired on in 1972, first learned the rails from his father.
Commentary

‘I was Born for This Job’: David Nichols Grew Up Riding the Rails

Growing up, David Nichols knew he was bound for a career on the rails. His father, Grady, was a locomotive engineer and introduced his son to the world of railroading at a young age.

CSX has donated $5 million to help transform the B&O Railroad Museum in celebration of B&O’s bicentennial anniversary in 2027. Pictured: B&O Railroad Museum Executive Director Kris Hoellen (left), CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs (center) and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. (CSX Photograph)

Class I Briefs: CSX, CPKC, UP

CSX donates $5 million to the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Md. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) reports its commitment to developing a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target aligned with a 1.5⁰C future and supporting the global economy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050; and Union Pacific’s (UP) Training team earns a 2023 BEST Award from the Association for Talent Development.

Richard Hockett Jr. with his wife, Mary, at Union Pacific's Heritage Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Commentary

50 Year Railroader Richard Hockett Traveled Many Roads Toward Railroad Career

By following his father’s path, Richard Hockett Jr., the son of a railroader, embarked on a railroad career spanning 50 years.

Aerial view of the San Pedro Bay Port Complex in California. (Photograph Courtesy of Port of Los Angeles)

Port of Los Angeles Adopts $2B FY23/24 Budget

The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners on June 7 approved a $2 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/24 annual budget for the Port of Los Angeles, calling for “increased investment in Port operational and public-access infrastructure, as well as support for a range of industry leading sustainability and decarbonization initiatives.”

UP, BLET Reach Paid Sick Leave Agreement

Union Pacific (UP) on June 5 announced that it has reached an agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) to provide paid sick leave to the approximately 5,600 locomotive engineers employed by the railroad.

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