We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Railroad joins effort to fight wildfires

Railroad joins effort to fight wildfires

UP dispatches "water train" to help battle Western blazes.

Union Pacific water train
October 13, 2020
DC Velocity Staff
No Comments

As wildfires raged throughout California and Oregon this summer, state officials had limited tools available to protect logistics infrastructure in remote canyons and hillsides.

Fortunately, a major freight transportation company was able to lend a hand. That company, the Union Pacific Railroad, dedicated a specialized "water train" to deliver firefighters and precious water to battle hotspots along the company's tracks, bridges, and tunnels. According to the UP, its water train consists of two railcars—each holding 12,500 gallons of water—and a pumper unit. The unit travels back and forth over a seven-mile stretch, traversing up to 50 miles daily.

To avoid interfering with the railroad's regular freight operations, the firefighting train's movements require tight coordination with UP's Harriman Dispatching Center, the company's national rail traffic control headquarters, located in Omaha, Nebraska.

"We've had more than 16 fires so far this year in the Valley, Winnemucca, and Canyon subdivisions, and the Reno, Nevada, [area]," Jerry Rhea, Union Pacific's manager–bridge maintenance and engineering, said in a release issued in early September. "We stockpile trains in Portola, California, and make arrangements with the Harriman Dispatching Center so we can escort trains through the track at night when everything cools down."

Transportation Supply Chain Services Rail Rail Carriers Other Services Disaster Response
KEYWORDS Union Pacific
  • Related Articles

    Florida trucking group joins CargoNet in effort to combat cargo theft in state

    Logistics software firm joins fight against trafficking

    ALAN mobilizes logistics response to California wildfires

Recent Articles by DC Velocity Staff

Omnichannel investments create ‘hybrid’ shoppers

Labor and skills shortage slow corporate dash toward digitalization

CMA CGM to pay bonus for quick return of empty containers

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Container prices continue to drop

  • Autonomous trucking firms launch partnerships with freight transportation providers

  • Demand for piece-picking robots gains steam

  • Now's the time to be a logistics professional

  • Report: Delivery expectations intensify

Now Playing on DCV-TV

Datalogic reducing labor vs

Reducing labor and exception handling with optimized scanners

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
When scanners fail to read barcodes on parcels as they move on conveyors, the added cost of manual handling and processing is significant.  New technology optimizes scanners dramatically increases accuracy eliminating manual labor. 

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Guide to Proven Warehouse Solutions

  • Five common misconceptions about running a private fleet

  • Optimize AS/RS With Advanced Warehouse Execution Software

  • The Value of Genuine Parts and Service

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2022. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing