(Union Pacific issued the following on April 7.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad will increase train speed for certain freight trains on railroad tracks through the city limits of Eagle Pass, Texas. Following Federal Railroad Administration regulations, the railroad will gradually increase train speeds from 40 mph to 49 mph in increments of five miles per hour per week until the new speed is reached on April 14, 2008.
Recent improvements on this section of track permit operating at higher speeds. Union Pacific has raised train speeds through numerous communities across its rail network over the last several years following track improvements and has found that not only do the trains operate more efficiently, but motorists are not stopped at the crossings as long. The change is expected to improve public traffic flow and grade crossing safety as statistics show that more highway-rail grade crossing collisions occur at slower train speeds.