Inspectors from the Federal Railroad Administration recently uncovered a worrisome number of defects in Union Pacific’s locomotives and railcars at the Bailey Yard, located in western Nebraska. Despite the severity of the findings, the railroad has shown reluctance to address these issues, according to a letter written by Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose to UP’s top executives.
Bose expressed his deep concern in the letter, stating that the high defect rates pose a significant risk to rail safety. Inspectors discovered that the railcar defect rate was 19.93% in July and August, while the rate for locomotives reached a staggering 72.69%. These figures are both double the national average. Although the letter did not provide specific details about the defects found, it emphasized that there are numerous federal rules in place to ensure safe rail operations.
In light of these findings, Bose criticized Union Pacific’s poor compliance with rolling stock regulations and highlighted the company’s unwillingness or inability to take proactive measures in improving the condition of their equipment.
Moreover, Bose questioned whether the recent layoffs within Union Pacific, which affected 94 locomotive craft employees and 44 carmen across the railroad’s headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, have left the company understaffed to carry out essential repairs.
Union Pacific Prioritizes Safety Amid Layoffs
Kristen South, a spokeswoman for Union Pacific, emphasized the railroad’s unwavering commitment to safety amidst recent layoffs. She stated that Union Pacific will never compromise on employee safety and is actively addressing concerns raised by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Railroad safety has become a nationwide concern following a train derailment and fire involving Norfolk Southern in eastern Ohio earlier this year. Although calls for reforms have been made by regulators and members of Congress, few significant changes have been implemented thus far.
South reassured that Union Pacific maintains appropriate staffing levels, ensuring sufficient capacity to accommodate the natural fluctuations in their business operations. The recently announced layoffs represent only a small fraction of the railroad’s workforce, which exceeds 30,000 employees.
Notably, Union Pacific’s new CEO, Jim Vena, assumed his role last month. The railroad boasts an extensive network spanning 23 Western states, with an impressive 32,400 miles of track.
