UP
UP on May 5 reported via social media that it is “proud to connect the new Capital Area Rail Terminal in Jefferson City, Missouri, to our extensive 23-state rail network.” The transload facility, officially opened April 29, offers in-bound and out-bound rail services, designed to support regional business and industrial growth, the railroad said.
Developed in collaboration with Cole County (Mo.), UP, and the Jefferson City Regional Economic Partnership, the Capital Area Rail Terminal supports the movement of a wide range of bulk commodities, including aggregates, grain, plastics, lumber and liquids. The City has 20 acres of available flat storage grounds here, with the ability to develop.
“Recognizing the critical need for improved bulk freight services in our region, our Capital Logistics team is proud to operate this facility and play a role in strengthening Missouri’s supply chain infrastructure,” Jefferson City-based Capital said in a social media post. “We’re excited to help businesses move goods more efficiently—and grow faster—through CART [Capital Area Rail Terminal].”
Meanwhile, on May 5, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and UP President Beth Whited signed a new lease agreement for the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel that cuts through the Continental Divide at 9,239 feet above sea level; it replaces the original 1926 lease that expired May 1, 2025. The agreement follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed Nov. 1, 2024, and includes a 25-year lease and a 25-year access agreement for planned Mountain Passenger Rail, and finalizes the purchase and sale of the Burnham lead line that is expected to offer transit-oriented development potential for the Burnham Yard property. According to the Governor’s Office, this public-private partnership “assures continued freight operations through the Moffat Tunnel for 25 years with established passenger rail access from Denver through the Moffat Tunnel to Winter Park, Granby, Steamboat Springs and Craig for soon-to-be Mountain Passenger Rail Service.”
The access agreement is said to establish Colorado’s license for three daily roundtrips or up to 506,000 train miles annually for Mountain Passenger Rail, as the payment from UP for its use of the Moffat Tunnel for 25 years. The Governor’s Office said the State plans to start a daily roundtrip year-round service from Denver Union Station to Granby by 2026, with the flexibility to expand service in future phases, connecting Denver to Winter Park Resorts, Granby, and Steamboat Springs on to Craig and Hayden. “Future phases will commence after a procurement process for a designated contract operator and upon needed capital improvements completed that are identified in the access agreement, highlighted by traveling under the Continental Divide through the 6.2-mile-long Moffat Tunnel, the highest operating railroad tunnel in the United States,” according to the Governor’s Office.
For 99 years, UP or its predecessors has held the lease for the Moffat Tunnel, which six counties and private investors came together to build more than 100 years ago, according to the Governor’s Office. The tunnel, it said, provided an east-to-west connection from Denver to the West Coast for commerce, after UP, the first transcontinental railroad, bypassed Colorado and routed through Wyoming instead.
In partnership with Amtrak and Winter Park Resorts, the State of Colorado already offers the Winter Park Ski train. More than 44,000 trips were booked during the 2024-25 ski season—up 153% from the 17,500 booked last season, the Governor’s Office said.
“This agreement begins a new era of partnership between the State of Colorado and Union Pacific that will expand passenger rail into our beautiful Rocky Mountains, assure continued freight movement through the Continental Divide, and unlock access to the Burnham Yard, a very special state property with unparalleled transit-oriented development potential,” Gov. Polis said. “Moffat Tunnel represents an important part of Colorado’s history, as well as a bright part of our future. With this work, we are showing the country a new model for pursuing passenger rail through collaboration with the [host freight] railroad.”
“Union Pacific is proud of the hard work and spirit of collaboration that went into this agreement with the State of Colorado,” Beth Whited commented. “We came together as true partners and the result is an agreement that benefits the citizens of Colorado and the businesses and people who rely upon Union Pacific to deliver the goods and material vital to today’s economy.”
“Today’s agreement will offer residents and visitors throughout Colorado new opportunities and choices to get where they’re going,” added Colorado Department of Transportation Chief of Staff Sally Chafee. “More passenger rail trips between the Front Range and mountain communities in Winter Park, Granby, and beyond will offer an option in addition to the drive over Berthoud Pass. The purchase of the Burnham lead line will also improve local mobility surrounding Lincoln Park in Denver, ensuring this historic neighborhood can continue to offer residents safe access to all the surrounding amenities.”
BNSF
BNSF recently celebrated its 2024 Employees of the Year for “demonstrating an unwavering commitment to safety, service and productivity,” the Class I railroad reported via social media on May 2.
The 2024 honorees included both individual and team accomplishments, according to BNSF. Operations leaders called the “Best of the Best” were recognized for leading teams that achieved injury-free performances, it noted.
“Congratulations to our 2024 Employees of the Year,” BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer said. “Their accomplishments exemplify what it means to put our mission and our customers first, overcoming both challenge and adversity, to help us realize our tremendous potential.”
CSX
CSX this month recognized the latest winners of its Drive to Succeed campaign: Michael “Mike” Schrader, CSX machine operator (Wilmington, N.C.); Anthony “TJ” Wadlow, CSX intermodal service employee (East St. Louis, Ill.); and Gary Mull Jr., CSX Conductor (Evansville, Ind.).
Each of the three gentlemen were entered into the campaign and received a new vehicle—either a Ford F-150 or Ford Bronco—from CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs for their “commitment to great attendance, which supports safety and service,” according to the railroad’s social media posts. (Watch video above.)
“Thank you to every member of our #ONECSX team who participated—your continued dedication to showing up for our customers and each other helps drive our success!” the railroad said.
In 2024, CSX engineer Brad Harriett (Charleston, S.C.), engineer Bill Pate (Kingsport, Tenn.), and signal maintainer/inspector Cyrus Urie (Cumberland, Md.) each received new Ford F-150 truck for achieving perfect attendance in a six-month period. Separately, Jim Schwichtenberg, CSX Vice President & Chief Safety Officer, has taken on a two-year term on the Operation Lifesaver, Inc., Board of Directors.
