Progressive Railroading March 2020 Editorial Lineup

Cover Story:

Union Pacific's Progress with the Unified Plan

For a little more than a year, Union Pacific Railroad has been implementing Unified Plan 2020, a precision scheduled railroading-based operating strategy that emphasizes moving individual freight cars more efficiently. By reducing car dwell time and increasing the number of general purpose trains in the network, UP aims to boost both service and financial performance.

The Class I reaped operational benefits from the plan through 2019: car dwell time dropped 13 percent; car velocity increased 6 percent; first- and last-mile performance reached 93 percent dependability; and car trip plan compliance — or on-time shipment delivery — climbed about 7 points. Yet, there's more progress to be made in 2020 and beyond. See Full Preview Here.

MOW:

Vegetation Management Equipment/Services

Keeping vegetation growth in check is a primary maintenance-of-way goal for railroads and transit authorities. In addition to ensuring tracks remain clear of weeds and brush See Full Preview Here.

MOW:

Bridge Inspection Technology/Drones

Inspecting rail bridges — over large bodies of water, for example — can be a costly and dangerous endeavor. Some rail bridge engineers are responding by exploring the use of drones, which in theory enable less dangerous (and less costly) data collection. See Full Preview Here.

C&S Technology Update:

PTC

With the deadline looming at year's end, 42 U.S. railroads continue to chip away at positive train control (PTC) implementation. Editor Pat Foran reaches out to a sampling of suppliers to talk about the key technologies involved in these installations — what the technology is and what it'll enable railroads to do, be it right out of the implementation gate or in the years ahead. See Full Preview Here.

Technology Update:

Locomotives

Today's locomotives are computers on wheels. See Full Preview Here.

Mike Singler

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815-302-7055
mike.singler@tradepressmedia.com