Do you despise UP?

[Anonymous]

I actually do like Union Pacific but I prefer Burlington Northern Santa Fe, I had alot of good memories watching the BNSF trains go by when I'm in the Tri-Cities, I had some decent memories watching the Union Pacific trains go by but they're not as special as the Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains.

QUOTE: Originally posted by supra880

In my experience, it seems to me that a lot of railfans tend to have a lot of animosity toward the colors of Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist. Why is that? Why are these feelings not directed at other class 1s? Am I missing something? [?]

[Anonymous]

nope.can't say i do.up is one of my favorite railroads.next to bnsf(which of course,has my favorite paint scheme)northfolk southern is my other favorite road.reading feburary's cover story on the up,once there up(no pun intended)then there down,but if they can stick it out,that would be great.

[Anonymous]

ABSOLUTLEY !! Arrogant, they are and will never learn. They are going through their 2nd service crisis since taking over the SP. They will not learn that if you screw over the employees the employees will NOT help you out ,and that is just how stUPid's mgmnt operates.

[Anonymous]

I think thenomad hit the nail right on the head. I also sympathize with spengineer. There sure seems to be a lot of arrogance in the merger/takeover world of railroading. It's too bad the old identities are gone with a merger. They'd have a lot more employee support if they were user friendly takeovers. Bigger doesn't always mean better.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I'm sure that more than a few BN employees were not too happy after the BNSF merger when what was primarily ATSF management took over. Situations like this will happen almost everywhere after a merger or acquisition.

UP did absorb C&NW, and while I do miss Stagecoach yellow, at least the lines are still operating, quite unlike Erie Lackawanna.

[espeefoamer]

YES!!!

[Anonymous]

I have no idea why people don't like the UP paint scheme. It's not to sophisticated and not to plain, just perfect. Compare it with the Canadian Pacific. ( Red Locomotive with White Lettering).

[BNSF4ever]

Despiise might be too strong but certainly "don't like" fits my opinion of UP. I am a CB&Q/BN/BNSF fan it there has always been a historical rivalry. I agree with the previous poster that UP are not as friendly to Amtrak. Finally, the current UP is not as well run as BNSF has been in recent years.

[Anonymous]

Union Pacific sure has took over the railroad companies like SP, MP, WP, MKT, OKT, CN, RI, DRGW and CMSLP, which railroad decided to join in another between between BN and ATSF? I know that BN used to be Frisco, SPS and NP.

QUOTE: Originally posted by supra880

In my experience, it seems to me that a lot of railfans tend to have a lot of animosity toward the colors of Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist. Why is that? Why are these feelings not directed at other class 1s? Am I missing something? [?]

[Morgan49]

There is another reason many people despise or hate the UP that isn't mention here.
I have quite a few friends who are retired from railroad work now but had the experience of working for roads such as the WP , SP ,. Based on what they and almost every other railroader I have spoke with is that The UP is the least Employee friendly railroad in the country. I have seen photo evidence of them trying to cover evidence of poor maintinance that led to severe injuries and still tried to blame it on anyone but themselves. They seem to be a company that views employees ( especially ones originating from merged railroads) as disposable liabilities . It is very sad to speak with the fromer SP people now who are now with UP just trying to last long enough for retirement but always looking over their shoulder. These are the same people that were so at ease in the late 1980's and early 90's. in 1992 while standing trackside waiting for the 4449 to pass a work train in southern Oregon I was ioffered a cab ride in an old SD-9 by 99 these same relaxed happy workers looked very forlorn and unfriendly. As for the paint changes from varius mergers , it is sad but most roads have done this at one time or another. My beloved and sadly missed Esspee was quite notorious for it early on but at least the kept some small reminders ( such as Cotton Belt) around . BNSF I am glad to say is just the opposite. I have a friend who very recently started working for them and he is like a kid in a candy shop. They seem to truly value their employees as they should.

[underworld]

I just don't like their tactics.....the color scheme is fine.

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

No.

[Jack_S]

I haven't been an active railfan long enough to form any bad opinions of any RR, but I have noticed one thing. Living in the LA Basin, I often listen, at the same time, to the AAR channels that are used by both UP and BNSF. I notice that the BNSF channels are not very active in spite of the heavy traffic they carry, while the UP channels have, as my Grandma used to say, have been vaccinated with a Victrola needle: they are alive with messages.

The impression I get is that the BNSF people seen to know what is going on and just do it. UP seems to need a lot of radio talk to operate.

Is this an accurate assessment?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jack_S

I notice that the BNSF channels are not very active in spite of the heavy traffic they carry, while the UP channels have, as my Grandma used to say, have been vaccinated with a Victrola needle: they are alive with messages.

The impression I get is that the BNSF people seen to know what is going on and just do it. UP seems to need a lot of radio talk to operate.

Is this an accurate assessment?

Dunno...what kind of talk is on the UP channel, train movement authorities?

[Jack_S]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cnw2up

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jack_S

I notice that the BNSF channels are not very active in spite of the heavy traffic they carry, while the UP channels have, as my Grandma used to say, have been vaccinated with a Victrola needle: they are alive with messages.

The impression I get is that the BNSF people seen to know what is going on and just do it. UP seems to need a lot of radio talk to operate.

Is this an accurate assessment?

Dunno...what kind of talk is on the UP channel, train movement authorities?

Mostly dispatchers. One in particular who makes a lot of calls. His voice and manner are very distinctive. Sounds young and is kind of flippant, with lots of expression.