FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2003 - The Union Pacific has been working diligently over the last eight years to upgrade the entire fleet. Through very aggressive spending in the capital budget, our locomotive fleet is now the youngest and teh largest in the industry. All our new purchases are equipped with comfort cabs. The locomotive assignment strategy outlined below is designed to help our company provide the best service and efficiency to our customers, our employees, and our stockholders. We will continue to purchase new locomotives and retrofit older locomotives to improve the percent of air conditioned locomotives above the current 63%.
Fleet Summary
Active Fleet: Air Conditioned Locomotives
Road: 6711 4239 (63%)
Local: 365
Switch: 508 36
Comfort Cabs: 3391 (50%)
Fleet Management - Union Pacific Locomotive Fleet is categorized in four primary groups; Coal (Black), Intermodal, Manifest (red/Blue) and Switch/Locals (Green). This enables the Union Pacific to position locomotives by model types, into specific operations where the best utilization and productivity can be achieved.
The Coal designations utilize AC traction locomotives to make use of the increased adhesion and distributed power provided by this class of locomotive. The Intermodal category includes C44-9W and SD 70M locomotives. These trains run at higher speeds. The Manifest breaks into two subcategories: Red operates in the high volume East-West lanes where trains experience severe climates, heavy grades, and high altitudes. Cab signals are also required in some areas and these trains typically have shorter trips between major terminals, operate at slower speeds, and do not require cab signals. The Primary manifest network operates with Dash 8 and C 60 AC locomotives, while General Manifest trains operate primarily with SD 40-2 locomotives. The local or Green group is designed to ensure proper utilization of locomotives assigned to Switch, Local and Hauler operations. The green network comprises switch type locomotives SW 1500, MP 15, local locomotives GP 15, GP 38-2 and GP 40's. The haulers typically use SD 40-2 and GP 60 locomotives.
While mixing different classes and models of locomotives is done from time to time, it is sort of like mixing a Ferrari and a Greyhound bus - coupled together, neither one is as efficient or productive as it could be. With all factors considered, maintaining class compliance is our locomotive strategy to best meet the needs of everyone.