This inspection, which builds upon a massive team inspection initiated last August throughout the entire UP system, is being undertaken to determine ways to improve railroad safety as a result of two recent Union Pacific railroad collisions resulting in five injuries and estimated millions of dollars in property damage. Following the initial inspection sweep, the FRA obtained significant safety commitments from Union Pacific senior officers and labor representatives. The current focused inspection is to ensure that those safety commitments are being implemented. In addition, this inspection will follow up on critical safety deficiencies that FRA uncovered in its initial system-wide safety inspection.
Safety is our highest priority.
The commitments we obtained from Union Pacific and rail labor are to be investigated to determine the level and degree of implementation. This safety review will provide critical operational information for us to improve safety on this railroad. Two UP freight trains collided. As a result of the collision, all four crew members suffered injuries. Six of the seven locomotives involved caught fire and were destroyed.