2010 Service Updates
Friday, December 17, 2010 - 8:00 a.m.
Winter Storms Impact Twin Cities, Southern & Southwest Minnesota, Northern Iowa & Western Wisconsin
Local service is returning to normal across most of the affected area as crews continue with clean-up efforts. Heavier snowfall amounts in the immediate St. Paul/Minneapolis area continue to prevent service to some customers as well as interrupt interchange with other railroads. It is anticipated that normal service will resume by this weekend.
Customers in the impacted areas are asked to assist by ensuring their tracks, switches and walkways are clear of snow and ice to allow access to their facilities.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 - 9:00 a.m.
Local service is gradually resuming as crews continue to clear snow from yard tracks, mainlines and switches in the Twin Cities area, southern and southwest Minnesota, northern Iowa and western Wisconsin.
Industry service, as well as interchange with other railroads, remains impacted as efforts to clear snow across the region continue over the next 48 hours. Forecasts indicate the potential for additional snowfall this week, which could further impact service in the area.
Customers in the area are asked to assist by ensuring their tracks, switches and walkways are clear of snow and ice to allow access to their facilities.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Sunday, December 12, 2010 - 3:00 p.m.
Due to the severest winter storm of recent record, we are currently experiencing service delays in the Twin Cities area, southern and southwest Minnesota, northern Iowa and western Wisconsin. High winds and blowing snow have closed roads, delaying railroad operations. Customers should expect delays of 48-72 hours. Crews are working around the clock to return service to normal operations.
Friday, October 8, 2010- 1:00 p.m.
Minnesota Embargoes Cancelled
All embargoes associated with the flooding in Minnesota have been cancelled.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010 - 9:00 a.m.
Operations resume in Minnesota
Operations have now resumed on Union Pacific's east-west route between Minneapolis and North Platte, Nebraska. Flooding along the Minnesota River near Henderson, Minnesota had washed out the main line track in that area early last week.
City officials had ordered the closing of the flood gates in St. Paul, Minnesota last week, shutting off rail traffic to/from some industries in the area. In conjunction with the closing of the flood gates, Union Pacific issued an embargo for shipments to and from locations within the impacted area. As water levels have receded, most of the locations in St. Paul area have now been removed from the embargo. To review the list of remaining impacted locations, refer to Union Pacific's embargo page.
Thursday, September 30, 2010 - 9:30 a.m.
Update: Flooding Impacts Operations Near Minneapolis
Flooding in southern Minnesota continues to impede Union Pacific operations in some areas to and from the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. Some of the flood gates into St. Paul remain closed, where the Mississippi River is expected to crest this weekend. City officials had ordered the closing of the flood gates earlier this week, shutting off rail traffic to/from some industries in the area. In conjunction with the closing of the flood gates, Union Pacific has issued an embargo for shipments to and from locations within the impacted area.
Operations resumed this morning on Union Pacific's main north-south spine line between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Kansas City. Portions of the main line on the east-west route between Minneapolis and North Platte, Nebraska near Henderson, Minnesota remain out of service today. Once water levels recede, crews will begin to make repairs to the track in the area.
Customers should continue to anticipate delays to traffic moving through the impacted area.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - 9:00 a.m.
Flooding Impacts Operations Near Minneapolis
Flooding in southern Minnesota continues to impede Union Pacific operations to and from the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. In preparation for potential flooding along the Mississippi River, city officials had ordered the closing of some of the flood gates into St. Paul today, shutting off rail traffic to/from some industries in the area. In conjunction with the closing of the flood gates, Union Pacific has issued an embargo for shipments to and from locations within the impacted area.
As water levels have begun to recede on Union Pacific's main north-south spine line between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Kansas City near Owattonna, Minnesota, and along the east-west route near Henderson, Minnesota, crews have started repairs to the track in those areas. Current estimates call for operations to resume on both routes by the end of this week.
Customers should continue to anticipate delays to traffic moving through the impacted area.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Monday, September 27, 2010 - 9:00 a.m.
Flooding Impacts Operations Near Minneapolis
Over the weekend, continued heavy rains and river flooding in southern Minnesota have washed out additional Union Pacific main line track near Henderson, Minnesota, 50 miles southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Main line track near Owatonna, Minnesota, south of Minneapolis and on the main north-south spine line to Kansas City, Missouri, also remains under several inches of water this week.
In St. Paul, where the Mississippi River is expected to crest this week, city officials have announced they will close some of the flood gates into the city Tuesday, shutting off rail traffic to/from some industries in the metropolitan area. In conjunction with the flood gate closing, Union Pacific will be issuing embargoes later today for shipments into and out of the impacted area.
Customers should continue to anticipate delays to traffic moving through the impacted area, until water levels recede and any track damage is repaired.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available
Friday, September 24, 2010 - 10:00 a.m.
Flooding Impacts Operations Near Minneapolis
Heavy rains and river flooding in Minnesota over the past few days have washed out Union Pacific main line track near Owatonna, Minnesota, approximately 60 miles south of Minneapolis. Crews are currently exploring alternate routes for traffic moving on the north-south spine between Minneapolis/St.Paul and Kansas City, Missouri, as well as traffic moving west of Minneapolis to North Platte, Nebraska. Customers should anticipate delays to traffic moving through the impacted area, until water levels recede and operations return to normal.
Union Pacific personnel are also closely monitoring operations near Henderson, Minnesota, 50 miles southwest of Minneapolis, where additional forecasted rainfall could bring the Minnesota River above flood stage by early next week.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 - 9:00 p.m.
Operations return to normal between Des Moines and Nevada, Iowa
Operations have now returned to normal between Des Moines and Nevada, Iowa following the heavy rain and flooding last week, which took out Union Pacific's main line in the area. Union Pacific crews had been re-routing traffic around the impacted area for several days until water levels could recede.
Rail traffic moving over Union Pacific's east-west main line through Iowa was not been impacted.
Thursday, August 12, 2010 - 2:00 p.m.
Central Plains Flooding
Heavy rain over much of the Central Plains the last few days has resulted in flooding across several portions of Iowa and southern Minnesota. Main line track between Des Moines and Nevada, Iowa has been taken out of service due to high water and washouts. We are re-routing some traffic around the affected area.
Rail traffic moving over Union Pacific's east-west main line through Iowa has not been impacted.
More information will be provided as flood waters recede and any track damage can be assessed, currently estimated at 3-4 days.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - 2:00 p.m.
Below is an update on Union Pacific service at areas impacted by weather incidents.
Chicago
Union Pacific operations are returning to normal in the Chicago area after heavy rainfall this past weekend. Operations are improved, but remain impacted at Union Pacific's Global I, II and III Intermodal facilities due to increased ground counts of containers. As customers out-gate containers and create capacity, we are able to release trains held outside these facilities. Customers are being asked for their continued assistance in out-gating their containers to free capacity and help us to improve operations at these facilities.
Mexico Gateways
Union Pacific continues to adjust our transportation plans to normal traffic flows following the cancellation of KCSM embargoes at the Laredo and Brownsville gateways Monday evening. All shipments that were being held for these gateways have now been released.
Rail service through these gateways in northern Mexico had been suspended for several weeks as a result of damage to bridge and main line infrastructure on the KCSM in the aftermath of Hurricane Alex on June 30.
Normal billing procedures should be used for all shipments to and from these Mexico gateways.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 - 8:00 a.m.
Below is an update on Union Pacific service at areas impacted by weather incidents.
Mexico Gateways
The Kansas City Southern de Mexico (KCSM) announced last evening that all service embargoes have been lifted at the Brownsville and Laredo gateways. Rail service through these gateways in northern Mexico had been suspended for several weeks as a result of damage to bridge and main line infrastructure on the KCSM in the aftermath of Hurricane Alex on June 30.
Union Pacific is currently adjusting our transportation plans to normal traffic flows and operations are returning to normal at both gateways. All shipments that were destined to these gateways have now been released.
Effective immediately, customers should return to normal billing procedures for all shipments to and from these Mexico gateways.
Chicago
While train operations throughout the Chicago area have returned to normal following flooding over the weekend, operations remain impacted at Union Pacific's Global II Intermodal facility. Ground counts of containers for customer pick up at the facility has exceeded available capacity. Intermodal trains are being held outside the facility until the backlog of containers is worked off.
Customers are being asked for their assistance in out-gating their containers from this facility as soon as possible.
Monday, July 26, 2010 - 3:00 p.m.
Below is an update on Union Pacific service at several areas across our system impacted by weather incidents.
Mexico Gateways
Repairs have been completed to the KCSM's Anahuac Bridge, located between Nuevo Laredo/Laredo and Monterrey, which suffered major damage due to flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Alex in late June. The reopening of the bridge is allowing KCSM and UP crews to work off the significant backlog of northbound and southbound traffic at the Laredo gateway and begin returning business to regularly scheduled lanes.
As the backlog of traffic is worked off, embargoes remain in place over the Brownsville and Laredo gateways for all rail shipments to and from Mexico.
Until the embargoes have been lifted, we ask that customers adhere to the following processes:
1. If you billed cars to Mexico via Brownsville or Laredo and would like information regarding your shipments please open a Service Issue at: https://c02.my.uprr.com/wpr/secure/WprCreateLog.jas and choose "Move car(s) to Mexico" from the dropdown; only customers that are party to the bill and have a user ID/password can create a service issue on a rail car. You can also call 800-272-8777 and a Customer Service Representative will enter the log for you. All requests submitted by 5:00 p.m. Central Time will be responded to by 12:00 p.m. Noon the following day.
2. If you currently have a Service Issue open regarding billed cars to Mexico via Brownsville or Laredo you do not need to open an additional log, as your request is in process.
We will continue to re-route rail shipments until we regain maximum fluidity. Rail shipments destined for local delivery in Brownsville and Laredo are not impacted by the embargoes.
Texas and Louisiana
Operations in the Livonia and Houston areas have returned to normal after preparations for the arrival of Tropical Storm Bonnie this weekend. The storm was downgraded to a tropical depression on late Saturday with no heavy damage reported.
Chicago Service Updates:
Following heavy rainfall in the Chicago area over the weekend, Union Pacific operations are returning to normal across most of the area as water levels recede and crews report back to work. Operations remain impacted at Union Pacific's Global II Intermodal facility today, due to increased ground counts of containers. Customers are being asked for their assistance in out-gating their containers from this facility.
Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 10:00 a.m.
Rail Operations Impacted by Chicago Area Flooding
Union Pacific operations into and out of the Chicago, Ill., are being impacted due to heavy rainfall throughout the area over the weekend. An estimated seven inches of rain fell in Chicago's Cook County, where 10 towns have since declared their communities as disaster areas.
Train operations are slowly resuming in the area, as water levels have begun to recede and crews are able to report back to work. Customers with shipments moving through the Chicago area should expect 24-hour delays as operations return to normal.
Friday, July 23, 2010 - 3:00 p.m.
Union Pacific Prepares for Tropical Storm Bonnie
Union Pacific is making preparations for the arrival of Tropical Storm Bonnie, expected to make landfall just east of New Orleans on Saturday evening, July 24. Currently, the storm is moving northwest in the Gulf with 40 mph winds.
Officials announced today that the flood gates at New Orleans will be closed at noon tomorrow, blocking rail traffic into and out of the city. The last interchange will occur early Saturday morning.
Operations personnel are currently moving equipment out of low-lying areas, and resources are being staged in strategic locations to expedite any necessary repairs following the storm's landfall.
In the Livonia Service Unit, crews are moving all service-sensitive shipments out of the area and working with customers to secure equipment at their own facilities until the storm passes. Union Pacific is planning to hold all outbound manifest trains in the Livonia, Avondale, Addis, Lake Charles and Alexandria areas. Inbound trains destined to these locations will be held outside of the storm's path.
In the Houston Service Unit, crews are moving all rail equipment in our yards out of Galveston and Texas City and working with customers to secure equipment at their own facilities. If no damage is detected to rail infrastructure, UP operations will plan to run an extra train on Sunday to move equipment back into the Galveston and Texas City areas.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 - 3:00 p.m.
The Kansas City Southern de Mexico (KCSM) today announced that, barring any new complications, repairs to the Anahuac Bridge located between Nuevo Laredo/Laredo and Monterrey are expected to be complete this weekend. Divers were at the Anahuac Bridge the last two days to inspect bridge piers under the water line. No pier damage was found and a missing beam was located and will be reused in the bridge repairs under way. Reopening of the Anahuac Bridge will allow the KCSM to restore service at the Nuevo Laredo gateway and the KCSM main line to Saltillo.
Once the bridge is restored, KCSM and Union Pacific crews will work off the backlog of northbound and southbound traffic at the gateway. Rail service in northern Mexico has been disrupted for several weeks as a result of Hurricane Alex on June 30. Heavy rain and wind also caused damage to highway infrastructure throughout northern Mexico.
Until the Brownsville and Laredo embargoes are both canceled, we ask that customers adhere to the following processes:
Brownsville & Laredo Gateway Procedures
- If you billed cars to Mexico via Brownsville or Laredo and would like information regarding your shipments please open a Service Issue and choose "Move car(s) to Mexico" from the dropdown; only customers that are party to the bill and have a User ID/password can create a service issue on a rail car. You can also call 800-272-8777 and a Customer Service Representative will enter the log for you. All requests submitted by 5:00 p.m. Central Time will be responded to by 12:00 p.m. Noon the following day.
- If you currently have a Service Issue open regarding billed cars to Mexico via Brownsville or Laredo you do not need to open an additional log, as your request is in process.
- The Brownsville and Laredo gateways remain embargoed by the KCSM. Operationally, the Brownsville gateway is capable of handling only a limited amount of backlogged and detoured traffic to/from Mexico and is dedicated to relieving some of the congestion of pre-embargo billed traffic moving to/from the KCSM. Customers should not bill cars to Mexico via the Brownsville or Laredo gateways until the embargoes have been canceled.
We will continue to detour rail shipments destined to the Laredo gateway through the Eagle Pass and Brownsville gateways. Rail shipments destined for local delivery in Brownsville and Laredo are not impacted by the embargoes.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 8:00 a.m.
Brownsville & Laredo Gateway Procedures
Embargoes remain in place on rail shipments to and from Mexico over the Brownsville and Laredo gateways for interchange with the KCSM. Until the Brownsville and Laredo embargoes are canceled, we ask that customers adhere to the following processes.
- If you billed cars to Mexico via Brownsville or Laredo and would like information regarding your shipments please open a Service Issue and choose "Move car(s) to Mexico" from the dropdown; only customers that are party to the bill and have a User ID/password can create a service issue on a rail car. You can also call 800-272-8777 and a Customer Service Representative will enter the log for you. All requests submitted by 5:00 p.m. Central Time will be responded to by 12:00 p.m. Noon the following day.
- If you currently have a Service Issue open regarding billed cars to Mexico via Brownsville or Laredo you do not need to open an additional log, as your request is in process.
- The Brownsville and Laredo gateways remain embargoed by the KCSM. Operationally, the Brownsville gateway is capable of handling only a limited amount of backlogged and detoured traffic to/from Mexico and is dedicated to relieving some of the congestion of pre-embargo billed traffic moving to/from the KCSM. Customers should not bill cars to Mexico via the Brownsville or Laredo gateways until the embargoes have been canceled.
We will continue to detour rail shipments destined to the Laredo gateway through the Eagle Pass and Brownsville gateways. It is currently estimated that the line between Laredo and Monterrey could be out of service for an additional two weeks. Rail shipments destined for local delivery in Brownsville and Laredo are not impacted by the embargoes.
The Mexico railroads continue to improve service on a daily basis by increasing train speed and train length. The backlog and re-routed traffic is also benefitting from expanded hours of operations of various government agencies in Mexico and the U.S. at Brownsville and El Paso.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 8:00 a.m.
KCSM Embargoes Remain at Brownsville & Laredo
The aftermath of Hurricane Alex continues to impact rail traffic to and from Mexico. Embargoes remain in place on rail shipments to and from Mexico over the Brownsville and Laredo gateways for interchange with the KCSM. Due to a major bridge outage at Anahuac, Nuevo Leon (located south of Laredo and north of Monterrey) it is now estimated that it may be up to two weeks to restore service to this line. The present plan to handle the backlog of traffic destined to the Laredo gateway is to detour auto parts trains and some manifest traffic through the Eagle Pass gateway and the remaining manifest traffic will be detoured through the Brownsville gateway. The railroads have been working with the various government agencies in Mexico and the U.S. to extend hours of operations at Brownsville and El Paso to facilitate rerouted traffic and to minimize the additional Customs paperwork required for rerouting.
Union Pacific is working with both railroads and providing assistance as we can, including material and equipment for repairs. We have staged trains near each border location and pre-blocked traffic in our terminals for Mexico destinations to facilitate operations, recovering quickly once the embargoes are canceled.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
 Bridge Outage Location |
Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 4:00 p.m.
FXE Lifts Embargo Over Eagle Pass Gateway
The FXE railroad has lifted the embargo for rail shipments to and from Mexico over the Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras gateway. Embargoes remain in place on rail shipments to and from Mexico over the Brownsville and Laredo gateways for interchange with the KCSM railroad.
Heavy rain is forecasted across northeastern Mexico this week due to the arrival today of Tropical Storm Bonnie. The latest forecast shows most of the heavy rain will be to the northeast of the FXE railroad. Unless this forecast changes, the FXE anticipates that they will be able to continue operations as normal.
Union Pacific is working with both railroads and providing assistance as we can, including material and equipment for repairs. We have staged trains near each border location and pre-blocked traffic in our terminals for Mexico destinations to facilitate operations quickly, once the embargoes are canceled. We are crossing some backlogged trains as conditions permit.
The El Paso gateway remains open, but capacity is limited. Union Pacific will be monitoring the flow of business to El Paso to ensure that there is available capacity for additional volume. Customers wanting to use this gateway should ensure they have a customs broker at the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez gateway and a freight rate with the FXE before billing /diverting shipments.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 9:00 a.m.
Mexico Gateway Embargoes Remain in Place; Tropical Storm Bonnie to Bring More Rain to Northeastern Mexico Today
Heavy rain is forecasted across northeastern Mexico today with the arrival of Tropical Storm Bonnie, expected this afternoon just south Brownsville, Texas. Further flooding is expected due to saturated soil conditions across the area.
Embargoes remain in place on rail shipments to and from Mexico over the Brownsville, Laredo, and Eagle Pass gateways for interchange with the KCSM and FXE railroads.
Union Pacific is working with both railroads and providing assistance as we can, including material and equipment for repairs. We have staged trains near each border location and pre-blocked traffic in our terminals for Mexico destinations to facilitate operations quickly, once the embargoes are canceled. We are crossing some backlogged trains as conditions permit.
The El Paso gateway remains open, but capacity is limited. Union Pacific will be monitoring the flow of business to El Paso to ensure that there is available capacity for additional volume. Customers wanting to use this gateway should ensure they have a customs broker at the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez gateway and a freight rate with the FXE before billing /diverting shipments.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - 11:00 a.m.
Embargoes Remain in Place Over Three Mexico Gateways
Embargoes remain in place on rail shipments to and from Mexico over the Brownsville, Laredo, and Eagle Pass gateways, as the KCSM and FXE railroads continue to address weather-related issues in northeastern Mexico due to Hurricane Alex and subsequent rainstorms. Forecasts call for continued heavy rains south of the border in Mexico this week. The Mexican Water Commission is releasing water from several lakes to prevent flooding. These water releases and heavy rain run-off are resulting in potential problems for several railroad bridges. Rising water is hampering repairs to tracks that have been damaged.
Union Pacific is working with both railroads and providing assistance as we can, including material and equipment for repairs. We have staged trains near each border location and pre-blocked traffic in our terminals for Mexico destinations to facilitate operations quickly, once the embargoes are canceled. We are crossing some backlogged trains as conditions permit.
The El Paso gateway remains open, but capacity is limited. Union Pacific will be monitoring the flow of business to El Paso to ensure that there is available capacity for additional volume. Customers wanting to use this gateway should ensure they have a customs broker at the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez gateway and a freight rate with the FXE before billing /diverting shipments.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 2:00 p.m.
KCSM Embargoes Remain in Place, FXE to Reissue Embargo
Embargoes remain in place today on rail shipments to and from Mexico over the Brownsville and Laredo gateways for connection to the KCSM. The FXE railroad temporarily lifted the embargo over the Eagle Pass gateway earlier today, but has just announced it will be reissuing the embargo this afternoon, due to continuing weather issues and congestion at the border. Both of the Mexican railroads are dealing with numerous washouts and derailments on their networks across northeastern Mexico due to Hurricane Alex. Officials report that the storm dropped more than 19 inches of rain in the past several days south of Eagle Pass and Laredo, and 24 inches of rain in the Monterrey area, southwest of Brownsville, Texas. Heavy rains continue throughout the area this week.
Union Pacific is working with both railroads and providing assistance as we can, including material and equipment for repairs. We have staged trains near each border location and pre-blocked traffic in our terminals for Mexico destinations to facilitate operations quickly, once the embargoes are canceled.
The El Paso gateway remains open, but capacity is limited. Union Pacific will be monitoring the flow of business to El Paso to ensure that there is available capacity for additional volume. Customers wanting to use this gateway should ensure they have a customs broker at the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez gateway and a freight rate with the FXE before billing/diverting shipments.
We will continue to provide you updates as information becomes available.
Friday, July 2, 2010 - 4:00 p.m.
KCSM and FXE Issue Embargoes Over Three Mexico Gateways
In the aftermath of Hurricane Alex, the KCSM and FXE railroads have just announced embargoes on rail shipments to and from Mexico connecting with the KCSM over the Laredo and Brownsville, Texas gateways and with the FXE over the Eagle Pass, TX gateway. Most of the interchange traffic at these border crossings has ceased. Hurricane Alex made landfall early yesterday about 100 miles south of Brownsville, TX., with high winds and heavy rain that have washed out track and damaged some bridges along both railroad's networks in northeastern Mexico.
Union Pacific is assisting the Mexican railroads where possible, moving ballast and other materials for repairs.
Thursday, July 1, 2010 - 3:30 p.m.
Inspection reports indicate no major infrastructure damage to Union Pacific track in the areas impacted by Hurricane Alex. The storm made landfall early this morning about 100 miles south of Brownsville, TX.
All signals in the area have now been repaired. Crews are making repairs to track washed out in the area south of Olmito, Texas, which is anticipated to be restored this evening.
The embargo has been lifted for security-sensitive shipments south of Kingsville to Brownsville, Texas, and operations are returning to normal.