OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific this year plans to install more than 1,600 Track Image Recorders (TIRs) aboard locomotive cabs to digitally record a view of the track, crossings and signals directly in front of a train as it travels over the rails.
“Installation of TIR equipment is another step in Union Pacific’s commitment to employee and public safety,” said Bob Grimaila, vice president-safety and environment. “This equipment is a valuable tool in assisting with the investigations of pedestrian or grade-crossing incidents.”
UP began installing TIRs in 2005 and has more than 4,000 locomotives equipped with TIRs out of their over-the-road locomotive fleet of more than 6,000 locomotives. More than 85 percent of Union Pacific’s road freight trains now have a TIR equipped locomotive in the lead.
A small camera is mounted inside the locomotive cab, looking down the track providing the train crew’s point of view. A microphone is mounted outside to record the locomotive’s air horn and bell. The video image disk can record up to five days of information.
TIR video images and locomotive event recorder data can be synchronized to provide detailed information about what occurred prior to an incident.
“Now when a train crew gets on board a locomotive and they see a TIR camera, they know that technology is there to help us help them to have a safer trip,” said Grimaila.
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America’s premier rail franchise.