Do you despise UP?

[Anonymous]

I don't despise them, but instead of using all their money to buy other railraods, they should use it to help restore older locomotives in museums. And they don't operate the Challenger on a day to day basis, so maybe someday they'll give it to Steamtown or something.

[Anonymous]

If you like seeing a train every ten minutes, there is nothing wrong w/ the U.P.!

[SP9811]

[:(!]yes[censored]

[tmcc man]

QUOTE: Originally posted by justafan

You know, a lot depends on your perspective. I've been reading your posts here and sympathize well, but in my case I'm hoping that UP buys out CSX. CSX has been keeping L&N 152, an Atlantic fast passenger capable of 102 MPH, bottled up in New Haven, Kentucky because of insurance issues. UP is the only big-boy with steam on the main menu. Maybe if they'd buy our CSX then 152 could get out once in awhile.

WHY DID YOU SAY THAT? Just imagine how the bad the CSX name would become, and gone would be a nice color scheme. If they bought out CSX, the world would lose a class 1 modern railroad railfan. I would then only stick to short lines, and fallen flag eastern roads. I cannot even think of even seeing a UP colored engine crossing my favorite watching spot EWWWWW!!!![:(!][:(!][V] Put yourself in the CSX operation managers position.

[Anonymous]

I don't despise UP. I hated to see them absorb some of the roads that they have consumed, but on the other hand modern railroading is a very competitive venture. I have more respect for a railroad that maintains it's presence and keeps trains rolling through my area than one that just kind of struggles along, like many have over the years.

While they do not run 844 or 3985 on a real regular basis, it seems to me that they are the only class I that even tries to maintain a steam program so that is worth alot. If they were not the big company they are, we would likely not enjoy the occasional sight of these steam engines coming to us and rather we would have to go to the museum to see them. It's kinda like seeing your favorite animal in the wild vs in the zoo.

I guess I'm just realistic enough to see that you need to take the bad with the good. BTW how many of you are utilzing Bill Gates' Empire to surf in here???? Just another kind of empire.........

[Anonymous]

I despise UP and all big business. They are all the same.

[Lord Atmo]

3 words

TOO MUCH YELLOW!
honestly. the UP went overboard with that fugly yellow color. not to mention i'm a die hard C&NW fan. i was outraged when they were bought out. and even MORE outraged when i heard they bought out SP. i simply cant stand what UP has done.

and god do i ever miss Chicago and Northwestern [:(]

[emmar]

No the UP is one of my favorite railroads and I don't really see why anyone would not like it.

[Lord Atmo]

i used to disregard it until those bland locomotives bought out the cool ones. now when i watch trains, i see those stupid yellow boxes pulling the cars. things just arent the same as they were 10 years ago when trains were pulled by Chicago and Northwestern locomotives.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by sammythebull

I despise UP and all big business. They are all the same.

That makes you a communist! You heard me, what you just typed is hogwash. You hate the businesses that make America the greatest nation in the world, the capitalist people that make the economy thrive. I am not a fan of huge businesses; yes it is American to root for the underdog, but not to want to destroy who ever is on top simply for being there. Many of the "evil big business owners are just smart men who worked hard and it paid off, that is the American dream. What happens when you get rid of these businesses that are on top who ever is in second place becomes your next target, when would it end? Use your head!

James [C):-)]

Ducking from flames.

[Anonymous]

I do not hate the u.p. i was lucky enough to train as a fireman with great engineers from the former s.p. on the cascades....they almost all hate u.p......i am proud to tel people where i work and what i do for a living....the pride you get when sitting at a crossing on the I-5 corridor and watching old BNSF sd-40s rolling by and then there comes a z-train with the american flag going by ..puts a lump in your throat...i too like having an old espee unit as a leader...as for working for u.p. they are not the most people friendly railroad. Our steam program kicks ***!!! and yes we are learning to railroad and yes we have always been stUPid and some of us were StuPid before...the u.p is now honoring all former railroads that it swallowed up with heritage locomotives...their will be tons of foamers when the first S.P. heritage crests the summit heading to k-falls..stay safe and see you out there..Highball

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by The Rat

Every chance I get to take a pic of a "Yuppie" unit, I be there!

Hell, There's a new UP unit as my wallpaper on this PC.

Yep, me too...I have unit 1988 as my wallpaper. Give U.P. at least some credit for being #1 in the U.S., they must be doing something right. Also, let's face it, they don't give a *** what we think and shouldn't have to. They are a big successful company doing what is right for their shareholders, period. Enjoy them as they DO give us lots of trains to watch, and that is all our hobby is all about.[:D]

[Lord Atmo]

i heard BNSF was a bigger company

[Anonymous]

The U.P. is fine with me. I think that their colors are rather attractive (Armour Yellow / Harbor Mist Grey) and stand out among the more common Reds and Black schemes favored by other roads.
I do feel melancholy about the fallen flags that have been assimilated by UP [:(].
In fairness to the UP though, they have attempted to mollify those of us that lament the passing of those roads (i.e. WP, KATY, MP, etc.) by introducing their "Heritage" diesels. [^]
So is the UP a "bad" railroad? No, probably no worse than any of the other Class 1's that have merged or bought out other roads (i.e. BNSF, NS, CN, etc.).
That's my take on it. [:D]

[Anonymous]

My take is that UP has too many lawyers and accountants and not enough real railroaders running things. The trademark thing with the modeling community went over like a dead cat in the punch bowl.

The other thing that I hear around here (and UP runs through this town since they swallowed up the MP) is that they refuse to play nice with Amtrack. They are notorious for sticking Amtrack trains in sidings for 45 minutes to an hour so that a switcher can switch out one freight car from a spur. BNSF has a better reputation for working with Amtrack.

The problem, as indicated by some of the posts on this thread seems to be management hubris. Oh, well.

[C):-)]