PITCHING IN : UP'S COUNTING ON ITS MECHANICAL, ENGINEERING AND SIGNAL HEADS TO MAKE PLAYS FOR THE RAILROAD'S PROCESS-CHANGE TEAM

Union Pacific, which is aiming for an overall growth of 3% to 5% annually, is studying ways to maintain and nurture the mechanical and signal technicians whose work is crucial to the railroad's reliability. Mechanical specialists are being asked for ways to minimize downtime for maintenance and repair and lengthening the cycles to get more work out of the equipment. By redistributing maintenance duties and consolidating yards, the railroad anticipates a 10% to 15% improvement in locomotive utilization. It is also upgrading its tracking system to make it easier for shippers to trace cars and to order them using voice recognition technology instead of a computer or fax. It is developing a Web-based bulk-train planner to make up trains more efficiently for unit-train customers in many commodities, not just coal, and is using a forecast tool to monitor maintenance needs of its car wheels. New intermodal construction will enable UP to store inventory for large customers like Rubbermaid. Signals are being installed that improve wayside detection and centralize more data and provide signal technicians with wireless connections to Federal Railroad Administration-mandated equipment tests. The railroad is also paying tuition for advanced training in signal-related courses.