UP: Track Record’s Top Stories of 2023: Nos. 1-5

Track Record’s Top Stories of 2023: Nos. 1-5

Let’s countdown to the most popular article of the year.

Track Record is your source for ideas to improve transportation performance. We’re here to share logistics tips, tricks and insights. So, which articles did readers find the most helpful?

Last week, we shared the first half of the 10 most popular articles this year. Now, we’re revealing the fan favorites. Keep scrolling to read the Top 5 most-read articles of 2023.

No. 5

UP: Is the EV Battery Supply Chain Ready for the Approaching Demand?

Learn about each step in the lithium-ion battery supply chain and how the various elements that go into EV batteries are shipped.

No. 4

UP: Quiz: The Top Products Trains Ship to Mexico

Can you guess which products Union Pacific Railroad ships to Mexico? Take the quiz to find out!

No. 3

UP: Rail Shipping Steps: #1 Answer These 7 Questions About Your Shipment

Learn the first things to consider before shipping by rail.

No. 2

UP: How to Ship Lumber, Wood Products & Building Materials | Rail vs Truck Shipping

What's the best way to ship lumber? Compare trucks and trains in the areas of volume, loading, transit time, cost and environmental impact.

No. 1

UP: From Steam to Green: The History and Evolution of Locomotives

Locomotives have come a long way since their inception. See how they've evolved from early steam-powered models to the green powerhouses they are today.

Learn More

Want weekly transportation tips, insights and industry trends delivered to your inbox each week? Subscribe to Track Record.

To learn more about shipping your product by rail, answer a few questions and we’ll connect you with an expert.

Upcoming Webinar - Nearshoring: Best Practices for Shipping to and from Mexico

On Thursday, May 16 at 1:00 p.m. CT, Union Pacific is hosting a 1-hour webinar on nearshoring, a business strategy that involves companies shifting manufacturing and production operations to Mexico, closer to main markets in the U.S. If this is something you’re interested in, you can use this link to register.

How to Ship Sustainable Aviation Fuel

In the next three decades, more than 35 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will be produced in the United States. It’s part of a government program, called the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge, that is designed to help airlines decarbonize. The rise of renewable fuels, including SAF, makes it critical for producers and receivers to have a supply chain in place to meet upcoming fuel demand.

The Rise of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

In 2022, the U.S. government shared the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge. This government-wide approach works within the industry to reduce costs, enhance sustainability, and expand production to 3 billion gallons per year of domestic SAF. By 2030, the U.S. must achieve a minimum of a 50% reduction in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) compared to conventional fuel. By 2050, 35 billion gallons of annual SAF production must be reached.

What Is Nearshoring and How Does Transportation Support It?

In the 1990s, offshoring became a trend among U.S. companies. With more affordable labor available abroad (primarily in China), some entities relocated factories to lower production costs and increase profits. Offshoring relies on shipping those products back overseas for sale in the United States.

For decades, this model was working. Then came the pandemic, and the resulting supply chain disruptions (especially for overseas shipments) began to poke holes in offshoring strategies. With products stuck overseas sometimes for months on end, the drawbacks of offshoring started to outweigh the benefits.

Lessons learned from the last few years have prompted some companies to bring operations back to North America, specifically to Mexico. Establishing production facilities closer to end markets minimizes the impacts of potential supply chain disruptions while keeping costs in check. This is the genesis of the nearshoring trend.

How Does a Railroad Celebrate Native American Heritage Month?

Each November, the United States celebrates Native American Heritage Month, a time to pay tribute to the ancestry and traditions of the indigenous people of North America.

Union Pacific’s Council of Native American Heritage (CONAH) employee resource group (ERG) has a calendar of events planned to explore the culture and centuries old history of Native people. In addition to Native American Heritage Month, CONAH also held a cultural fair in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

“Celebrating Native American Heritage Month is important because it offers a subtle but impactful reminder of the contributions of Native Americans past, present and future,” said Haley Warner, CONAH President and Sales Manager for Union Pacific’s Marketing & Sales team. “Native American culture and history is so rich with meaning, yet not without tragedy. It is important to acknowledge the history of Native people, as told by them, and lift them up during this month. Native American Heritage Month gives a formal platform to lift up Native voices, acknowledge the history and appreciate the culture.”