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Union Pacific Railroad Honors Chickasha's Railroad Roots
Mayor Hank Ross Accepts Membership to Union Pacific’s Train Town USA Registry
Chickasha, Okla., May 03, 2012 – Legendary steam locomotive No. 844 made a special stop in Chickasha, Okla., to celebrate Union Pacific Railroad's 150th Anniversary and the city's membership into the railroad's Train Town USA Registry.
Chickasha Mayor Hank Ross served as honorary engineer aboard the train, called the UP 150 Express for its journey sharing Union Pacific's rich history with many key communities this year. Robert W. Turner, senior vice president - Corporate Relations for Union Pacific, presented Ross with an official Train Town USA resolution signed by Union Pacific Chairman Jim Young, and Chickasha's historical connection with Union Pacific will be featured on the company's special 150th anniversary website.
"We are proud to recognize Chickasha as we commemorate our railroad's sesquicentennial celebration and growing up together," Turner said. "Union Pacific has been part of the country's fabric throughout the railroad's 150-year history. Our shared heritage with Chickasha is a source of pride as we remember our past while serving and connecting our nation for years to come." The Rock Island Railroad built a rail siding 17 miles south of Minco, Okla., in 1892 and secured a boxcar to serve as an office-giving Chickasha its official start. The city grew quickly and a passenger depot opened in 1912, which served eight trains a day.
Chickasha grew along with the Rock Island Railroad and eventually became home to a four track rail yard, a locomotive repair shop, a roundhouse, a large freight facility and more than 300 employees. The Rock Island ceased operations in 1970 and was later purchased by Union Pacific Railroad. Today, Union Pacific Railroad continues to support its customers and remains a strong economic contributor to Chickasha. Arrival and departure times for the steam train can be found at www.upsteam.com
UP Steam App
Combining new technology with the historic allure of its steam locomotives, Union Pacific allows smart device users to track its legendary No. 844 steam engine with the touch of a screen. The UP Steam app offers real-time GPS location, up-to-the-minute schedules, and sends an alert when the locomotive is within 50 miles, among other features. The free app can be downloaded at Apple's App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod users.
Interactive Timeline
Rail enthusiasts, Abraham Lincoln fans, students, history buffs and employees will enjoy visiting the railroad's interactive and resplendent historical timeline published at www.up150.com, Combining history and high-tech, the timeline highlights in detail 60 milestones in Union Pacific's history and features more than 100 photos from Union Pacific's archives.
Union Pacific Steam Locomotive No. 844
Steam Locomotive No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad. It was delivered in 1944. A high-speed passenger engine, it pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger. When diesels took over all of the passenger train duties, No. 844 was placed in freight service in Nebraska between 1957 and 1959. It was saved from being scrapped in 1960 and held for special service.
The engine has run hundreds of thousands of miles as Union Pacific's ambassador of goodwill. It has made appearances at Expo '74 in Spokane, the 1981 opening of the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Los Angeles Union Station in 1989. During the 1990s, No. 844 pulled numerous Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days special trains and visited several Oklahoma cities during the Oklahoma Centennial in 2007. In 2010, No. 844 traveled to Harlingen, Texas, and Milliken, Colo., to be a part of heritage celebrations in those communities.
About Union Pacific
It was 150 years ago that Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act of July 1, 1862, creating the original Union Pacific. One of America's iconic companies, today, Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP), linking 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail and providing freight solutions and logistics expertise to the global supply chain. From 2000 through 2011, Union Pacific spent more than $31 billion on its network and operations, making needed investments in America's infrastructure and enhancing its ability to provide safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible freight transportation. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and emphasizes excellent customer service. Union Pacific operates competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways.
Media Contacts:
Raquel Espinoza, Union Pacific Railroad, 281.350.7771 or respinoza@up.com
Bud Andrews, Chickasha Chamber of Commerce, 405.224.0787 or andrus@chickashachamber.com
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Union Pacific's 150th Anniversary
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