UP marks third straight year of lower fuel consumption

Union Pacific Railroad announced last week that it has lowered its fuel consumption for the third year in a row, helping its customers eliminate 22.9 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by choosing rail over truck.

In 2021, the Class I’s fuel consumption rate — measured in gallons of fuel per thousand gross ton-miles — improved 1%, its best-ever performance. On average, rail consumes three to four times less fuel than moving the same freight on the highway, UP officials said in the railroad’s Inside Track blog.

The record comes as UP began 2022 by advancing its ESG goals, including purchasing the world's largest carrier-owned fleet of battery-electric locomotives for testing in yard operations. First deliveries are expected in late 2023. In late December, UP released its climate action plan, which includes a commitment to pursue net zero emissions by 2050.

The railroad’s fuel-efficiency gains can be attributed to numerous operational and technological advancements, including identifying ways to reduce idling engines and ensuring that the optimal horsepower is used to haul freight.

Another key element is expanding and improving the use of energy management systems (EMS) on nearly 2,900 locomotives in the railroad’s fleet. Installation of the original EMS prototype occurred in 2011.

Today, the system has been refined and improved, with more train crews using the system sooner and longer on individual train trips. The goal is to finish installing the system in all of UP’s high horsepower locomotive fleet by 2024.