Local rail service from Union Pacific’s Eugene Yard in Oregon will be transferred to Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc. (CORP) short line railroad, said Tuesday.
The planned switch will improve customer service for local businesses and support regional economic growth, the two railroad companies said. The change also allows Union Pacific to lower the number of times a railcar is handled, which will provide more flexibility and agility for both of the railroads to meet current and future customer needs. However, the plan is still to be approved by the Surface Transportation Board.
“G&W has a proven track record in operational flexibility and providing excellent customer service,” Union Pacific executive vice president of operations Eric Gehringer said. “Those strengths, combined with Union Pacific’s unmatched franchise and access to critical markets nationwide, position us to provide customers with the service we sold them and grow together.”
The two companies said they are working with customers to ensure a smooth transition once the plan is approved. Union Pacific said it has been in contact with employees affected by the change and will provide them with information about continued employment opportunities, including potential openings at CORP and other G&W railroads. Employees who deliver goods over longer distances will continue to work out of the Eugene Yard, Union Pacific said.
“Union Pacific can count on CORP to operate their Eugene, Oregon, yard safely and efficiently,” G&W CEO Michael Miller said. “In partnership with Union Pacific, our team is ready to deliver the customer-centric first- and last-mile rail service that customers have come to rely on from G&W railroads so that we can grow together.”