UP to bolster track on Iowa, Nebraska line

Union Pacific Railroad plans to spend more than $9 million to upgrade a line between Missouri Valley, Iowa, and Arlington, Neb.

The project — which began April 1 and is slated for completion by month's end — calls for replacing 19,300 concrete ties, installing 10,250 tons of ballast and two switches, and renewing surfaces at 19 grade crossings.

For certain trackwork projects, UP crews will use the TRT 909, a track renewal train that can install rail and concrete ties in one pass. The machine can install up to 6,000 ties in a 12-hour period. The train features about 30 rail cars — each designed to carry 210 concrete ties — three sets of gantry cranes and a conveyor.

The Iowa/Nebraska line project is one of about 1,500 UP plans to complete across its 32,000-mile network this year to help improve operating efficiency, reduce motorist wait times at crossings and enhance safety.