I read online that the "Super Van" was cleared for 90 MPH max speed. Holy cow!

OP:
"During the 1970s, Union Pacific regularly ran fast intermodal trains at speeds of up to 90 mph on its Ogden-Council Bluffs mainline. This stopped after Union Pacific's merger with Missouri Pacific, after which former MoPac managers were placed in charge of Union Pacific's operating department and promptly ended high-speed freight operations."

Reply:
"Which was particularly dumb as the UP in order to run those speeds had to equip the Overland Route with automatic train control so that the FRA would let them run such speeds, a considerable (and expensive!) job to say the least."

OP:
"Which was particularly dumb as the UP in order to run those speeds had to equip the Overland Route with automatic train control so that the FRA would let them run such speeds, a considerable (and expensive!) job to say the least."

Reply:
"Part of the problem was also fuel costs, as it was considerably more expensive after the energy crisis to run trains at such speeds. Oil prices spiked again as the UP was taking over the MoPac, which may have also done in the fast trains as well. Santa Fe also tried to run fast intermodal trains but didn't find enough customers willing to pay the premium for fast service."

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Date: 04/07/19 16:26
Mr. Kenefick’s opinion
Author: Copy19

With all the hysteria about super long PSR trains I’m reminded of an occasion when someone asked Union Pacific President John Kenefick about ”drag freights” and he immediately countered with “Sir, we do not operate drag freights on Union Pacific!” In later years after he retired he advised me: “You can’t switch boxcars with b... s...”.

I am proud to say that Mr. Kenefick and I became friends. He could handle it.

John Bromley - Omaha

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