Union Pacific launched a two-year celebration in May commemorating the Great Race to complete the transcontinental railroad nearly 150 years ago. Its crews built railroad tracks west of Omaha, NE, while Central Pacific constructed east of Sacramento, CA. A symbolic golden spike was driven at a ceremony when the railroads met in Promontory Summit, Utah, May 10, 1869.

“The driving of the final rail spike defined Union Pacific as the economic engine that connected people, moved goods and transformed America’s progress,” said Scott Moore, Union Pacific senior vice president/corporate relations. “We look forward to honoring the communities and railroad development that played critical roles in our country’s growth and way of life.”

Union Pacific representatives presented Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg with a commemorative golden spike in nearly the exact location where 1860s California Governor Leland Stanford broke ground for CP in Sacramento. The presentation was webcasted on Facebook Live, launching Union Pacific’s two-year celebration of the Great Race to Promontory.

The company introduced an interactive website illustrating the journey through 46 communities profoundly impacted by the railroad. The site features rare photographs and animated maps illustrating how America was built. Union Pacific also launched the following series of activities and celebrations that bring each community’s history to life:

The Western Group, a short-line railroad company based in Ogden, UT, has assumed operation of the Texas State Railroad, the company announced May 4. The Texas State Railroad Authority recently awarded Western Group the contract to operate the East Texas tourist line.

The move signals the end of Iowa Pacific Holdings’ operator agreement with TSRA.

TSRA board member Steve Presley said the agreement was signed Wednesday and Western Group kicked off operations by running a special school train. More runs are scheduled Friday through Sunday, and officials are to gather for a photo shoot Monday in Rusk.

In April, TSRA and Western Group, selected from four companies that submitted bids to run the railroad, reached a tentative agreement.

Union Pacific’s Ed Dickens, Jr. gave an update on the restoration of the Big Boy at March’s Rocky Mountain Train Show. – Cowcatcher Magazine

DENVER — About 100 miles north in Cheyenne, WY, one of the remaining relics of big-time steam sits in pieces.

Union Pacific No. 4014 has been stripped down to its drivers, hardly resembling the power and might it exhausted over 20 years prowling the western United States.

Inside the historic UP Steam Shop, one of eight remaining Big Boy locomotives is getting a massive makeover for a return to operation. It’s only a matter of time before this one will tour the country like UP’s other prized steam possession, No. 844, a Northern Type 4-8-4.

ORMOND BEACH, FL – Broadway Limited Imports, LLC, announced today its 2017 Exclusive Run Program which allows both distributors and dealers of BLI products to build new products
with the Broadway Limited Imports brand that will be available exclusively through them.

Throughout the years, BLI has collaborated numerous times with distributors and dealers on exclusive runs of BLI products. The company said because demand for collaboration has increased it will make the opportunity formally available for resellers.

The program is open for production of both existing and newly tooled prototypes including locomotives and rolling stock in HO and N scales. All locomotives will be outfitted with BLI’s latest Paragon3 with Rolling Thunder technology. All products will carry BLI’s standard warranty and support.

BLI will begin accepting exclusive run agreements May 1 on a first come, first-served basis. Exclusivity lasts for one year from the date of initial delivery and may be renewed.