NORTH PLATTE -- More than 95 percent of the nation's coal that passes through Union Pacific's Bailey Yard -- the world's largest rail yard -- are handled by GE locomotives. To increase coal hauling capacity, a new high-tech maintenance and repair facility has been strategically located at the railroad to more efficiently service locomotives pulling empty railcars on returning to the Powder River Basin to pick-up more coal to support energy companies that process the coal into electricity. The new shop is part of Union Pacific's Lean continuous improvement initiative to enhance operational efficiency at the railroad. The maintenance shop will decrease the amount of time locomotives sit in the yard by as much as 12 hours making it one of the most efficient railroad operators in the United States.
WHAT: Ribbon-cutting ceremony, plant tour and interviews to celebrate the newest high-tech locomotive maintenance and repair facility in the country.
WHO:
* Casey Dyer, director of mechanical maintenance at Bailey Yard, Union Pacific
* Dave Thalken, senior director systems locomotive facility, Union Pacific
* Dave McGill, service manager, GE Transportation
* Mayor G. Keith Richardson
* Jim Hawks, City Administrator
* Judy Pederson, President, North Platte City Council
WHEN: 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 13
WHERE: Meet at Superintendent's Building - Union Pacific Bailey Yard @ 12:45p.m.
4601 West Front Street, North Platte, NE 69101
Persons can use Map Quest (www.mapquest.com) for specific directions from their respective
locations. Contact Kathleen Barker, at (308) 535-4558 for directions enroute.
LOCOMOTIVE FACILITY CEREMONY:
12:45 -- 1:00 p.m. -- Shuttle from Superintendent's building to locomotive shop.
1:00 -- 1:05 p.m. -- Welcome/Recognitions
1:05 -- 1:10 p.m. -- Casey Dyer Remarks /Introduce Mayor
1:10 -- 1:20 p.m. -- Mayor /City Administrator/City Council Remarks
1:20 -- 1:25 p.m. -- Dave McGill remarks
1:25 -- 1:30 p.m. -- Ribbon --Cutting Ceremony
1:30 -- 2:00 p.m. -- Tour Facility and Media Briefings
2:00 -- 2:05 p.m. -- Photos -- final remarks - completion
MEDIA CONTACTS:
James Barnes, Union Pacific, 402-544-3560 or [email protected]
Shaunda Parks, GE, 913-908-0067, [email protected]
Chris Banocy