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[CNJRoss]

UPRR Customer News

 

Extreme Winter Weather Continues to Impact Operations

Posted Date: February 15, 2021

 

To Our Customers,

 

Extreme winter weather and sub-zero temperatures continue to impact rail operations. Below is the latest update on both the current conditions facing our network and a look ahead at the anticipated weather conditions in the South, Midwest and Pacific Northwest.

 

Recent Weather Impacts
Several areas of our operating territory have experienced widespread interstate and road closures as a result of this weekend’s winter storms. These closures have impacted our ability to transport crews in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington.

 

We have also experienced significant power outages across the South and the Pacific Northwest. Generators are being utilized in numerous locations until commercial power resumes.

 

Intermodal Gate Closures
To keep our terminals fluid, all ingates at Union Pacific terminals will close effective tomorrow, February 16, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. in the terminal's respective time zone. We anticipate the closures to last approximately 72 hours. Exceptions to the ingate closures include:

• All international shipments that currently originate or terminate at LA/Long Beach on-dock terminals only will continue to be accepted, and will operate on extra schedules as resources allow (ingates to ICTF will also be closed).
• Westbound domestic interline shipments sponsored by NS, CSX, CPRS or CN will be accepted at all interchange points.
• All shipments to and from Seattle and Tacoma will be closed for approximately 48 hours; however, international shipments to and from Tacoma on-dock will continue to be accepted.

Please note that all terminals will continue to be open for outgates, and we strongly urge you to assist the network recovery process by continuing to pull notified units.

 

Weather Outlook

• A winter storm system will develop tomorrow night moving over the northern part of Texas, most of Arkansas and moving eastward through parts of Missouri and Illinois, as well as northern Louisiana. Snowfall totals may be as high as 6-12 inches in Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as well as Chicago. Additional icing in the southern part of the weather band is also expected.
• Arctic temperatures in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois are expected to subside beginning Wednesday.
• In the Pacific Northwest, a heavy snow event will continue to affect the Cascades to the Columbia River Gorge and Columbia Basin through Tuesday night.

What to Expect
Customers should anticipate delays of a minimum of 72 hours for shipments in the impacted areas until conditions improve and severe weather recovery efforts are complete.

 

During this time, we remain focused on delivering your freight as quickly as possible. Equipment, resources and crews remain positioned throughout our network to assist with current recovery efforts and to prepare for the adverse conditions ahead.

 

We appreciate your patience. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Care & Support at 800-272-8777 or your Union Pacific representative.

 

[CNJRoss]

UPRR Customer News

 

Unprecedented Weather Events Impacting Network - A Message from Kenny Rocker, EVP, Marketing & Sales

 

Posted Date: February 16, 2021

 

To Our Customers,

 

Extreme winter weather has had a disproportionate impact on our network over the past 72 to 96 hours and is expected to continue for the next 48 hours. In the South and across the eastern portion of our system, another winter storm is expected to bring more snow and ice starting this afternoon. The unprecedented weather issues over the past few days are impacting our network as follows:

• Currently we have more than 400 locations across our network that are without power.
• Over 20% of active trains are holding for at least four hours as a result of the weather.
• Over 90% of our primary parking is currently occupied at our intermodal terminals in Illinois.

Our Operating team is well prepared to respond to these weather emergencies and have successfully handled extreme weather events in the past. We are taking lessons learned from how we responded to the historic flooding two years ago as we work through this polar vortex challenge. Equipment for our intermodal network is closely aligned with containers and chassis across the system. While not every ramp is directly impacted by severe weather, by closing intermodal terminals systemwide, we are avoiding an imbalance of equipment across the network. This will result in a quicker recovery of operations.

 

We remain focused on delivering your freight as quickly as possible. Last week, we activated our 24-hour command center to assist in restoring service safely under these adverse weather conditions. Equipment, resources and crews are positioned throughout our network to help with the recovery. We are working closely with our intermodal customers to move their containers out of the terminals and improve fluidity to our ramps.

 

We appreciate your patience and will continue to provide further updates. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Care & Support at 800-272-8777 or your Union Pacific representative.

Sincerely,

Kenny Rocker
Executive Vice President, Marketing & Sales

 

[CNJRoss]

Trains Newswire, 2/16/21

 

Union Pacific shuts down intermodal network because of extreme winter weather

 

Closure has a few exceptions, is expected to last at least 72 hours

 

 

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has virtually frozen its entire intermodal network in the face of harsh winter weather.

 

UP notified customers Monday night that, effective at 8 a.m. local time today, it would not accept loads at its intermodal terminals. The railroad expects the closures to last for 72 hours.

 

Exceptions include  . . .

 

“Please note that all terminals will continue to be open for outgates, and we strongly urge you to assist the network recovery process by continuing to pull notified units,” UP advised customers.

 

More here.

[CNJRoss]

UPRR Customer News

 

Winter Weather Operations Update

Posted Date: February 17, 2021

 

To Our Customers,

 

Extreme winter weather continues to impact our network. Customers should anticipate extended delays on shipments in the impacted areas until conditions improve and severe weather recovery efforts are complete and commercial power resumes.

 

Region Impact

• Pacific Northwest & Midwest – These regions are recovering as extreme temperatures subside, we are working to resume normal operations. 
• South - Millions of homes and businesses remain without power in Texas. The major power outages are causing cascading issues related to main line and terminal operations, available water supply and other critical supply chain requirements such as fuel. Ongoing road closures continue to impact our ability to transport crews. The weather has also impacted train length and frozen switches, reducing terminal productivity.
  
  Overnight storms left additional snowfall and ice in northern parts of Texas, southeastern Texas and northern Louisiana. As a new front moves eastward through Arkansas and parts of Missouri and Illinois, we expect ongoing impact to these areas as additional snow and ice accumulates throughout today.

 

How To Communicate Industry Curtailments

Customers in the affected area with facilities out of service as a result of the recent weather events should open a case in Case Management (user ID and password required). Select Create a Case in the Get Help box (select Search Criteria and enter an equipment ID for your location) and then choose Case Reason Manifest Equipment Transit Delays and Case Sub-Reason Facility Status Updates - Manifest Regions. Please include the information outlined below in the Description Field.

• Damage or tracks out of service
• Estimated facility repair time
• Resumption of operations
• Request service when repairs complete

 

Phased Intermodal Gate Reopening

We will begin reopening some lanes today and more tomorrow, a full list can be found here.

 

We remain focused on delivering your freight as quickly as possible. Equipment, resources and crews remain positioned throughout our network to assist with recovery efforts. We appreciate your patience. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Care & Support at 800-272-8777 or your Union Pacific representative.

 

[CNJRoss]

UPRR Customer News

 

Winter Weather Operations Update

Posted Date: February 18, 2021

 

To Our Customers,

 

We are making progress with our recovery efforts as weather improves. Our network from the Pacific Northwest through the Midwest is recovering and we are working to resume normal operations in these areas.

 

Chicago Impact
The Chicago metroplex continues to work through significant snow removal operations and we expect that will impact our operations over the next 48 to 60 hours.

 

Southern Region Impact
Additional heavy snowfall in the Little Rock and Pine Bluff areas, as well as icing in eastern Texas and northern Louisiana have further impacted operations. Commercial power and water is slowly returning to areas of our network in Texas. Ongoing road closures continue to impact our ability to transport crews throughout the South.

 

Our employees are working around the clock to safely restore our entire network to full operations. Customers should continue to anticipate extended delays on shipments in the impacted areas until conditions improve and recovery efforts are complete.

 

Be Prepared for Service
It is especially important to offer safe access to your facility and be prepared for rail service during winter weather. All privately owned track must be cleared of snow and ice at industry, including rail switches, road crossings, walking paths and track right of way. Safety remains our top priority for our employees and customers during this recovery event.

 

How To Communicate Industry Curtailments
Customers in the affected area with facilities out of service as a result of the recent weather events should open a case in Case Management (user ID and password required). Select Create a Case in the Get Help box (select Search Criteria and enter an equipment ID for your location) and then choose Case Reason Manifest Equipment Transit Delays and Case Sub-Reason Facility Status Updates - Manifest Regions. Please include the information outlined below in the Description Field.

• Damage or tracks out of service
• Estimated facility repair time
• Resumption of operations
• Request service when repairs complete

Intermodal Terminals Reopening
We have developed a plan to reopen all of our intermodal terminals by Friday, February 19. The full schedule is listed here.

 

We remain focused on delivering your freight as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Care & Support at 800-272-8777 or your Union Pacific representative.

 

[CNJRoss]

Union Pacific Railroad

 

InsideTrack

03-02-2021

 

UP Operating Teams Battle through Polar Vortex

 

Union Pacific's Englewood Yard in Houston was impacted by snow and ice.

 

As a polar vortex struck the country in late February, Union Pacific employees braved the elements to do what they always do: Keep America moving.

 

 

As a polar vortex struck the country in late February, Union Pacific employees braved the elements to do what they always do: Keep America moving.

 

Chicago-area operations focused on significant snow removal, and additional heavy snowfall in the Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas, areas, as well as icing in eastern Texas and northern Louisiana, further impacted operations. At one point, more than 400 locations across the UP network were without power and over 20% of active trains were holding for at least four hours.

 

Daryl Cauffman, manager-Mechanical Maintenance, Transportation, spent a few days with Car Inspectors Mischel Schrader and Sean Hines in Grand Island, Nebraska, as they dealt with trains' air issues, traction motors and set outs on the main line to help conductors.

 

"They do it all – they wear a lot of hats for the railroad and they're a very integral part of who we are," Cauffman said.

 

For Cauffman, it was a reminder of just how much Schrader, Hines and all employees are doing to keep trains going day in and day out.

 

"They're like the firefighters of the main line," he said. "These guys are on call 24 hours a day, and they do what it takes to get things moving. They're the fix-alls; without them, and those in their role, our system would not be nearly as fluid as it is – especially during these conditions."

 

Through this work, safety is the No. 1 priority.

 

Continue here.