The whole is greater than the sum of its parts and that accurately describes the Union Pacific Railroad of today. The patriotic logo of the Union Pacific was conceived by its management in 1886 to preserve its association with government, since President Abraham Lincoln planned the railroad to unify the nation. It featured specific banners over the years – the longest being the legendary “Overland Route” – that was replaced by the current, simplified logo, introduced in the 1940s.
UP refocused in the 1960s and 1970s by phasing out long-distance passenger service and reengineering its operation to become a more efficient freight-hauler. Yet, the executive management always respected the company’s legendary history and heartedly celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Driving of the Golden Spike in May of 1969 and continues to support a landmark, mainline steam excursion program.
Convolutions in the railroad industry emerged after the fall of Penn Central in 1970 but later, fears dissipated and the railroad merger movement became active once again. UP would eventually consume the Missouri Pacific, Western Pacific, Chicago North Western, the Katy and later on the Rio Grande, Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt. That transportation family tree is comprehensive, diverse and offers insight into the depth of a memorable record of railroad accomplishment and solid history:
Union Pacific (after 2000)
Missouri Pacific
Western Pacific (and Sacramento Northern)
Southern Pacific
Chicago & North Western System
Spokane International
Chicago & North Western Railway
Chicago Great Western
Minneapolis & St. Louis
Litchfield & Madison
Rock Island (part)
Rio Grande
Denver & Salt Lake
Cotton Belt
Rock Island (part)
Katy (Missouri-Kansas-Texas)
Chicago & Eastern Illinois
Texas & Pacific
All of that is a good reason to celebrate the accomplishments of the Union Pacific and pay tribute to all the significant railroads now within that western powerhouse. Whether you like the steam giants of the past or the powerful diesel-electric locomotives of the present, our current inventory offers you a great sampling of locomotives and complementary rolling stock to choose from. Our award-winning rewards program makes it easy to add the flavor of the Union Pacific – and other related railroads – to your own model railroad empire.
Frank Wrabel
modeltrainstuff.com