x

All about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm

COWCATCHER MAGAZINE

Union Pacific Electronic Book Brings 150-year Railroad History to Life

July 1, 2012 / Updated July 4, 2012

Class 1 Railroads

“Union Pacific Timeline”, an e-book that details Union Pacific Railroad’s 150-year historical timeline, was released was July 1. The book is free in the Apple iTunes Store.

To mark its 150th anniversary this year, UP created www.up150.com, which includes an interactive timeline. “Union Pacific Timeline” allows users to swipe among timeline entries to view photos, as well as read stories about critical moments during UP’s history. There also is an index where users can go directly to specific dates and events they wish to view.

Union Pacific’s digital timeline can be found at www.up150.com/timeline.

The book’s debut came on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln July 1, 1862 signing of the Pacific Railway Act, authorizing construction of the transcontinental railroad and creating UP. From the groundbreaking and laying of the first rails to the opening of UP’s Harriman Dispatching Center and new headquarters building, the timeline covers major achievements, innovations, milestones, and railroad mergers.

The book also marks UP’s 150th anniversary this year.

“Union Pacific Timeline” was created using Apple’s iBooks Author, an e-book authoring application released earlier this year. The book is the first e-book published by a North American railroad and is among the first corporate e-books available for download at the Apple iTunes Store.

Union Pacific released the UP Steam App in the Apple Store in late 2011. The free app can be used to track UP’s legendary No. 844 steam locomotive.

Current Issue: Nov/Dec 2024

$6.95 (U.S. Orders Only)

Big Boy Bliss

In a deviation from normal cover content, the Cowcatcher features the latest in 4000 series Big Boys, Minitrix's N-scale No. 4013. Why? It's one smooth-running model and the mood was just right. No. 4013 pulled 26 cars and a caboose effortlessly on Olaf Melhouse's Dakota Northern at the same time Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 was rolling through North Texas on its latest tour across the Midwest. Both the model and prototype are equally impressive. Check out the full review in the November/December 2024 issue.

Celebrating 20 Years

Rapido Trains attributes its success over the last 20 years to relying on the knowledge of its model railroader-centric employee base. Plus, founder Jason Shron's persistence paid off after taking a big chance. He left behind his pursuits to teach art history and fulfilled a lifelong desire to make model trains.

Featured Product

Home Shops' USRA boxcars are another example of the company's high-quality freelance rolling stock.

Plus

The new Bartlett soybean processing plant arrives at a time when multiple industries are finding value in the versatile legume. Model train backdrops don't always need to be an elaborate work of art to create the right effect. Passengers riding the Empire State Express on the New York Central from Detroit to New York City reveled in the luxurious accommodations. And more!