Union Pacific unveils America250 heritage locomotives. Published: March 20, 2026 Union Pacific has officially unveiled a new series of commemorative locomotives and confirmed plans for a historic coast-to-coast steam excursion as part of the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary celebration. In an announcement released just hours ago, the railroad detailed its "America250" heritage locomotive program, along with the long-anticipated eastern leg of the 2026 tour featuring its famed Big Boy steam locomotive. A patriotic fleet for a historic milestone. At the center of Union Pacific's announcement are three newly highlighted commemorative locomotives, each designed to honor key figures and themes tied to the United States' history. Leading the group is No. 1776, the official America250 locomotive, which features a bold American flag motif set against Union Pacific's signature Armor Yellow paint scheme, along with branding from the national semiquincentennial celebration. Another unit, No. 1616, pays tribute to President Abraham Lincoln - the founder of Union Pacific - through a historically inspired paint scheme reflecting the Civil War era. The third locomotive, No. 4547, was developed in partnership with Wabtec and honors current U.S. president Donald J. Trump, featuring large flowing American flags including both the original 13-star design and the modern flag. Union Pacific noted that these locomotives build upon its tradition of presidential and commemorative units, which previously included No. 4141, dedicated to President George H.W. Bush. Celebrating railroads' role in American history. Union Pacific emphasized that the America250 program is designed to highlight the railroad industry's foundational role in the country's development. Since its founding in 1862 under President Lincoln, the railroad has been instrumental in linking the nation through the transcontinental railroad and supporting economic growth across multiple industries. The Big Boy itself stands as a powerful symbol of that legacy. Built in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company, the massive 4-8-8-4 locomotive was designed to haul heavy wartime freight over the steep grades of the Wasatch Mountains and remains one of the most iconic steam locomotives ever constructed. A nationwide celebration on rails. Union Pacific's America250 initiative blends modern freight operations with historical preservation, using both diesel and steam locomotives to tell a broader story of American innovation. By pairing newly painted heritage locomotives with the Big Boy's unprecedented coast-to-coast journey, the railroad is positioning railroading at the center of the nation's semiquincentennial celebration. For railfans and the general public alike, the 2026 tour promises to be one of the most ambitious and far-reaching railroad heritage events in decades - bringing living history directly to communities across the country.

Union Pacific train cars derailment in Texas town causes ethanol leak, no injuries reported. Video Player is loading. Duration 0:31 Current Time 0:00 NOW PLAYING Power outages cause San Antonio traffic lights to flash for hours Flying taxis could launch in San Antonio, other Texas cities under new TxDOT program Grapefruit-sized hail hits South Central Texas Texas Legislature approves $5 million grant for rail grade separation on Southwest Side Questions about self-driving cars rise after one blocked an ambulance responding to Austin shooting RICHMOND, Texas (AP) - More than two dozen cars of a Union Pacific train derailed Wednesday morning in a Texas town near Houston, causing an ethanol leak from two of the cars that officials said didn't pose a threat to the public. The derailment happened around 5 a.m. CDT in Richmond, a town of 13,000 people about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Houston. No injuries were reported, Union Pacific spokesperson Robynn Tysver said. Two of the derailed cars began leaking ethanol after the accident, said Fort Bend County Fire Marshal Justin Jurek. Both leaks were later contained, he said. Ethanol, typically made from corn, can be used as a fuel additive. "It is not posing a current threat to the public and air monitoring is ongoing as a precaution. There's no need for evacuation at this time," Jurek said. A third derailed car leaked corn syrup, officials said. That leak was also contained, Tysver said. The derailment caused traffic delays for several hours in Richmond and nearby Rosenberg. Traffic began to clear up after several blocked railroad crossings were cleared. There was no timeframe on how long the cleanup could take but Union Pacific was "working as safely and as efficiently as possible to clean up the site and reopen the crossings," Tysver said. "The incident is under investigation," she said.

STB approves Union Pacific's new Arizona branch line. Published: March 17, 2026 The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has officially approved Union Pacific Railroad's proposal to construct and operate a new six-mile branch line in Maricopa County, Arizona, marking a significant step forward for rail-served industrial development in the Phoenix metropolitan region. The decision, issued in mid-March 2026, grants the railroad authority to move ahead with the long-discussed project following completion of environmental review and regulatory evaluation. Union Pacific ES44AC #5295 leads a westbound stack train past the old steam-era water tower on the ex-SP Sunset Route at Gila Bend, Arizona on October 7, 2010. Doug Kroll photo. Project overview. The new line - often referred to as the Pecos Industrial Rail Access Train Extension (PIRATE) - will extend approximately six miles from Union Pacific's existing Phoenix Subdivision. Its primary purpose is to connect the main line with industrial properties located southeast of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, within the rapidly expanding Pecos Advanced Manufacturing Zone. One notable customer will be the Commercial Metals Company. This area has emerged as a major hub for advanced manufacturing, with industries ranging from chemicals and metals to plastics and electronics. Until now, these facilities have relied almost entirely on trucking, as the nearest rail transload facility is located roughly 40 miles away. Union Pacific has argued that the new branch will significantly enhance logistics efficiency, reduce highway congestion, and provide more sustainable transportation options for both inbound raw materials and outbound finished products. Environmental review completed. The STB's approval follows the completion of a comprehensive environmental review conducted by the agency's Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA). In late February 2026, the OEA issued a Final Environmental Assessment (EA), concluding that the project would not result in significant environmental impacts provided that recommended mitigation measures are implemented. The review process addressed a wide range of considerations, including land use, air quality, cultural resources, and potential impacts to surrounding communities. The final assessment incorporated feedback from public comments and outlined specific mitigation strategies to minimize disruption. Notably, the project had previously faced delays after concerns were raised regarding disturbances to archaeological resources along the proposed right-of-way. Union Pacific worked with regulators to address these issues, including securing the corridor and implementing protective measures before the environmental process resumed. Economic and transportation benefits. Supporters of the project emphasize its potential economic impact. By providing direct rail access to the Pecos manufacturing corridor, the new branch line is expected to: * Reduce reliance on long-haul trucking * Lower transportation costs for regional industries * Improve supply chain efficiency * Encourage further industrial development in the area Union Pacific estimates the line could remove tens of thousands of truck trips annually from local highways once fully operational, easing congestion and reducing emissions. Infrastructure details. Plans for the project include not only the six-mile branch itself but also additional supporting infrastructure. This includes a new wye connection to the Phoenix Subdivision and approximately 2.5 miles of auxiliary track improvements along the existing main line. The line will be constructed as a single-track route designed primarily for freight service, with capacity tailored to meet the needs of large-scale industrial customers. Looking ahead. With STB approval now secured, Union Pacific can proceed with final planning and eventual construction of the branch line. The project represents a relatively rare example of new rail line construction by a Class I railroad, underscoring the strategic importance of the Phoenix-area manufacturing sector. As industrial development continues to expand across the Sun Belt, projects like this highlight the growing role of rail in supporting modern supply chains - particularly in regions historically dominated by truck-based logistics.