UP opens western Wyoming rail yard

Written by jrood

Union Pacific Railroad representatives, customers and community leaders from western Wyoming officially opened a new $24 million rail yard about 20 miles west of Green River on May 19. The rail yard provides vital support for the nation's economic growth and shipping the products American families and businesses use every day.

“The Blacks Fork Rail Yard is the latest example of our company’s commitment to grow with our customers and provide great service,” said Jim Young, Union Pacific chairman and chief executive officer. “By improving the way rail cars are sorted for specific destinations, we are increasing efficiency, creating faster delivery time, and helping our customers compete in a global economy.”

Rail yard construction began in August 2008 and was completed in December 2010.

Features of the Blacks Fork Rail Yard, offering advantages for Union Pacific customers, include:

• A total of 47,000 feet of track including three tracks with capacity to handle 150 rail cars each.

• A new bridge over the Blacks Fork River.

• Five automatic electronic identification readers strategically placed in the rail yard to assist in monitoring rail car movements.

• Thirteen switches for flexibility in sorting customers’ rail cars by destination.

• 27,000 ties, with 11,000 made from steel and the remainder wood.

• 86,000 tons of ballast to ensure a stable roadbed.

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