Missouri Pacific Railroad

The Missouri Pacific Railroad (abbreviated as MoPac) holds a significant place in American railroad history. It was one of the earliest railroads to operate west of the Mississippi River, earning the status of a Class I railroad through various mergers and expansions. In 1967, the Missouri Pacific Railroad managed an extensive network, with 9,041 miles of road and 13,318 miles of track under its control, excluding lines like DK&S, NO&LC, T&P, and its subsidiary railroads, including C&EI and Missouri-Illinois.
The acquisition of the Missouri Pacific Railroad by the Union Pacific Corporation marked a pivotal moment in its history. This purchase was initially agreed upon on January 8, 1980, but several legal challenges from competing railroads delayed the merger's approval until September 13, 1982. Following the Supreme Court's rejection of a trial involving the Southern Pacific, the merger was officially consummated on December 22, 1982. However, due to the outstanding bonds held by the Missouri Pacific, the full integration into the Union Pacific Railroad wasn't officially completed until January 1, 1997.
The roots of the Missouri Pacific can be traced back to July 4, 1851, when construction began on the Pacific Railroad, which later evolved into the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The first section of track was laid in 1852, although the American Civil War interrupted its progress. In 1872, the Pacific Railroad was restructured into the Missouri Pacific Railway, leading the company to proudly advertise itself as "The First Railroad West of the Mississippi" due to its historical ties to the Pacific Railroad.
The history of the Missouri Pacific also includes the integration of various predecessor railroads, such as the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway (SLIMS), Texas and Pacific Railway (T&P), Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad (C&EI), and many others.
The Missouri Pacific had its share of influential ownership over the years. New York financier Jay Gould controlled the company from 1879 until his death in 1892, leading to significant expansion across several states. The company was later merged with the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway in 1917, becoming the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
The company faced financial challenges, notably declaring bankruptcy during the Great Depression in 1933. It entered trusteeship but emerged stronger after a reorganization in 1956. By the 1980s, the Missouri Pacific operated over 11,000 miles of rail lines across 11 states, handling diverse cargo, including coal, grain, ore, automobiles, and shipping containers. It was known for its modern fleet of diesel locomotives and was a pioneer in computer-guided rail technology.
The Missouri Pacific's journey culminated on December 22, 1982, when it was acquired by the Union Pacific Corporation. It was merged with the Western Pacific Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad to create a unified railroad system named Pacific Rail Systems, though each maintained its distinct corporate identity. Additional mergers with the Missouri Kansas Texas and the Galveston, Houston & Henderson took place, and by January 1, 1997, the Missouri Pacific officially became part of the Union Pacific Railroad (UP).
The legacy of the Missouri Pacific lives on in various forms, including the Union Pacific's heritage program, where a locomotive, Union Pacific 1982, was painted in Missouri Pacific colors and logos to pay tribute to its historical significance.
==External links==
*Screaming Eagles
*Missouri Pacific Historical Society
*Sunshine Special
*Union Pacific Diesel Locomotive Paint Schemes
*Brief history of the Missouri Pacific
*Handbook of Texas: Missouri Pacific System
*Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory
Category:Class I Railroads
Category:Defunct Class I Railroads
Category:Railways
Category:Railroads
Category:Companies
Category:Defunct Railways
Category:Defunct companies
Category:Missouri Pacific locomotives