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    Union Pacific Railroad

    Union Pacific Railroad: Building America Across 23 States with 32,200 Miles of Freight Rail Network

    Revenue:$24.3B
    Union Pacific Railroad logo
    Union Pacific Railroad global carrier services and logistics operations

    Company Overview

    Union Pacific Railroad is a major American freight-hauling railroad operating over 32,000 miles of track in 23 states, primarily in the western and central United States. Founded in 1862, it played a central role in building the first transcontinental railroad and remains one of the largest rail networks in the country.

    Key Leadership

    Executive Team:

    • CEO: Jim Vena
    • CFO: Jennifer Hamann

    Employee Demographics:

    • Global Workforce: 32,439

    Equipment & Infrastructure

    Specialized Equipment:

    • Locomotive Fleet: Operating over 7,000 locomotives of various models for freight-hauling across 32,200 miles of track in 23 U.S. states

    Technology Platforms:

    • NetControl: Core logistics and transportation management platform that processes rail car inventory, scheduling, waybill processing, train and terminal management, and provides real-time shipment tracking and data integration across thousands of APIs.

    Warehouses & Logistics Hubs

    Major Facilities:

    • Bailey Yard: World's largest railroad classification yard located in North Platte, Nebraska, spanning 2,850 acres and handling over 10,000 railcars daily
    • Davis Yard: Major classification yard in Roseville, California, covering approximately 950 acres and serving as Union Pacific's largest rail facility on the West Coast

    Certifications:

    • ISO/TS 22163: Railway Quality Management System standard specifically designed for the railway industry, based on ISO 9001, and considered the most important and applicable certification for railway companies.

    Operational Capabilities:

    • Freight Car Velocity: 226 daily miles per car in August 2025
    • Workforce Productivity: Increased 9% to 1,124 car miles per employee in Q3 2025
    • Terminal Dwell Time: Improved 6% in August 2025
    warehouses and logistics hubs showcasing modern distribution centers, automated facilities, and supply chain infrastructure

    Global Locations & Network

    Extensive global network connecting businesses worldwide with reliable logistics solutions.

    Geographic Scope:

    Union Pacific Railroad operates a vast network spanning 32,693 route miles across 23 U.S. states, primarily in the western two-thirds of the country, and serves all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports, eastern gateways, and all six major Mexico gateways. Its scale and strategic connections make it a critical link in North American and global supply chains, handling over 8 million annual carloads with more than 7,000 locomotives.

    Strategic Hubs:

    • North Platte, USA: Bailey Yard in North Platte, Nebraska is the world’s largest railroad classification yard, processing up to 14,000 railcars daily and serving as a critical hub for sorting and assembling trains across Union Pacific’s network.
    • Omaha, USA: Omaha, Nebraska is home to Union Pacific’s corporate headquarters and serves as a central administrative and operational hub for the entire railroad system.
    • Chicago, USA: Chicago, Illinois is a major interchange and gateway for Union Pacific, connecting eastern and western rail networks and handling significant volumes of intermodal and freight traffic.
    • Houston, USA: Englewood Yard in Houston, Texas is a key classification yard supporting freight movement throughout the Gulf Coast and southern United States.
    • Fort Worth, USA: Davidson Yard in Fort Worth, Texas is a major classification and distribution center for freight moving through Texas and the Southwest.
    • Roseville, USA: Davis Yard in Roseville, California is the largest rail yard on the West Coast, serving as a primary hub for freight traffic entering and leaving Northern California.
    • Santa Teresa, USA: The Santa Teresa Intermodal Terminal in New Mexico is a modern inland port facilitating efficient transfer between rail and truck for goods moving between the U.S. and Mexico.
    • Los Angeles, USA: Los Angeles, California is a vital hub for Union Pacific, connecting the nation’s busiest ports to inland destinations and supporting high-volume intermodal operations.
    • Long Beach, USA: Long Beach, California serves as a major gateway for international container traffic, linking Pacific ports with Union Pacific’s national rail network.
    • Kansas City, USA: Kansas City, Missouri is a strategic interchange point for east-west and north-south freight flows, supporting both domestic and cross-border rail traffic.

    Partnerships:

    Union Pacific Railroad’s strategic partnerships and alliances include collaborations with short line railroads to expand its logistics network, a decarbonization alliance with Shell, a proposed merger with Norfolk Southern, and multi-year community partnerships with organizations such as the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and the Denver Zoo.

    Carrier Partners & Alliances

    Strategic partnerships and alliances that enhance our global reach and service capabilities.

    Strategic Partnerships:

    PartnerType
    Norfolk SouthernAcquisition
    SMART-TD (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division)Alliance
    Knight-Swift TransportationService Partner
    Katoen Natie North AmericaService Partner
    American Chemistry CouncilAlliance

    Service Portfolio

    Comprehensive range of logistics and transportation services tailored to meet diverse customer needs.

    Core Services:

    • Freight Transportation: Shipping of bulk commodities and goods such as agricultural products, automobiles, chemicals, coal, and industrial products across North America with a focus on efficiency and reliability
    • Intermodal Services: Integrated transportation solutions combining rail, truck, and other modes to provide door-to-door delivery for containers and trailers

    Value-Added Services:

    • SmartETA Predictive Insights: Provides customers with AI-driven, proactive shipment updates and predictive arrival times, enabling better supply chain planning and reducing disruptions.

    Digital Offerings:

    • SmartETA: Predictive analytics platform that uses machine learning and GPS data to provide customers with accurate estimated times of arrival for shipments

    Industry Reputation & News

    Recognition and achievements that demonstrate our commitment to excellence and innovation.

    Awards & Recognition:

    • Railroad Innovator Award: Recognizes Union Pacific Railroad CEO Jim Vena for outstanding achievement and innovation in the rail industry, awarded by Progressive Railroading and RailTrends in 2025.

    Recent Developments:

    • Landmark Labor Agreement Securing Jobs Amid Merger: In September 2025, Union Pacific and SMART-TD announced a historic agreement guaranteeing job security for thousands of workers as Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern pursue a proposed merger, ensuring no involuntary furloughs and providing lifetime job protection for union employees, which is unprecedented in the industry and aims to reduce workforce disruption.

    Analysis & Future Outlook

    Strategic vision and future initiatives that will shape the next generation of logistics services.

    Strengths:

    • Extensive Rail Network: Union Pacific operates across 23 states with over 32,000 miles of track, providing a critical link in the U.S. supply chain and serving major ports, gateways, and population centers.

    Weaknesses:

    • Dependence on Coal: Union Pacific Railroad remains significantly dependent on coal shipments, making it vulnerable to declines in coal demand and shifts toward cleaner energy sources.

    Opportunities:

    • Transcontinental Railroad Expansion: Union Pacific’s agreement to create America’s first transcontinental railroad with Norfolk Southern will unlock new routes, expand access for customers, and provide faster, more comprehensive freight service across North America.

    Risks:

    • Macroeconomic Uncertainty: Persistent inflation and volatile freight demand in the post-recessionary rail sector challenge Union Pacific's ability to sustain operational efficiency and revenue growth.

    Strategic Initiatives:

    • AI-Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Union Pacific is implementing precision scheduled railroading (PSR) 2.0, modernized with AI-driven predictive maintenance and energy management systems, to optimize speed, reduce downtime, and improve fuel efficiency across its network.