Winter Weather Operations Update

Announcement Number: CN2024-2
Categories: General Announcements
Posted Date: January 12, 2024

To Our Customers,

As your dedicated rail service provider, we are committed to providing you with updates on significant service interruptions that are impacting normal operations and the actions we are taking to mitigate challenges and keep your freight moving.

We had several weather systems move through our rail network last night. Our Engineering and Operating crews are working around the clock to restore rail operations as quickly and as safely as possible. Following is an update on conditions and operations by region:

  • Engineering crews in our Southern Region are actively clearing debris and restoring tracks from the impacts of severe thunderstorms, heavy rains and cold temperatures through portions of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee.
  • Engineering crews in the mid-section of our network stretching from the Great Plains to the Great Lakes are focused on snow removal, clearing switches and repairing broken rails from the impacts of heavy snow, wind gusts and frigid temperatures.
  • We are continuing snow fighter operations throughout today in the Pacific Northwest region at the higher elevations to clear rail yards. Snow totals range from three to four feet at various summit locations.

Road closures are impacting our ability to transport crews to operate trains throughout our entire network. Customers with shipments moving through the impacted states should anticipate delays until these weather conditions improve and we are able to restore operations.

We will continue to mitigate impacts to our operations over the coming days and adhere to our winter action protocols to respond quickly and safely to any service disruptions. Customers with rail-served facilities located in the affected areas should continue to clear all walkways and switches of snow and ice prior to crews arriving. To get more winter weather preparedness tips, visit our Winter Weather Planning and Recovery page.

We appreciate your patience as we work to restore service to these critical areas safely. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Care & Support at 800-272-8777 or your Union Pacific representative.