Union Pacific Expands Rail Access Through Short Line Partnerships and New Focus Sites
Union Pacific Railroad has taken another significant step toward expanding its already vast rail network by announcing the addition of 15 new Focus Sites across eight U.S. states. Of these, 12 sites are located on short line railroads, strengthening partnerships that make it easier for businesses of all sizes to connect with Union Pacific’s premier 32,000-mile rail network. This strategic move demonstrates Union Pacific’s commitment to improving logistics efficiency, enhancing regional development, and supporting domestic and international trade.
What Are Focus Sites and Why They Matter
Focus Sites are specially designated, large-scale development locations tailored for custom-built warehouses, distribution centers, or industrial facilities. These sites function as critical rail hubs where Union Pacific can concentrate its infrastructure, resources, and operational expertise. For shippers, a Focus Site represents an opportunity to streamline transportation by tapping into a site that has already been vetted, strategically located, and designed for optimal connectivity to rail.
By developing Focus Sites, Union Pacific creates a reliable foundation for companies seeking to expand their supply chains or establish new operations in rail-accessible regions. Each site serves as a catalyst for economic development, attracting manufacturers, distributors, and logistics providers who benefit from both immediate access to rail and the broader efficiencies that rail shipping offers over other modes of transport.
Strengthening the Reach of the Rail Network
The expansion of Focus Sites underscores Union Pacific’s philosophy that rail transportation is not just about moving freight but also about building stronger supply chains that empower businesses and communities.
Kenny Rocker, Union Pacific’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales, emphasized the importance of short line partnerships in extending the reach of Union Pacific’s network. “Our partnerships with short line railroads are helping to expand our network’s reach while providing businesses easier and faster access to our 23-state network,” Rocker said. “With the help of short lines, shippers will have greater access to both domestic and global markets, including Mexico, Canada, and some of the nation’s largest ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach.”
These partnerships are vital because short line railroads often serve as the “first mile” or “last mile” connection for businesses. By integrating them into the Focus Site program, Union Pacific ensures that even smaller or geographically remote communities can connect seamlessly to the broader national and international freight ecosystem.
Industry Voices: The Impact on Short Lines and Local Economies
The announcement has been welcomed by leaders in the short line industry. Matt Cundiff, President of Ironhorse Resources Inc.—a transportation company operating short line railroads, switching companies, and transload and trucking operations—highlighted the local benefits. “Union Pacific’s Focus Site program is a tremendous benefit to short line railroads and the communities they serve. By including short line-served properties, Union Pacific is spurring local economic growth and making it easier for businesses to connect to rail and reach national and global markets,” Cundiff explained.
For communities served by short lines, this development means more than just improved logistics. It often leads to job creation, industrial investment, and regional competitiveness. Small towns and mid-sized cities located near these new Focus Sites can leverage the presence of rail-accessible property to attract new businesses, create industrial parks, or strengthen the competitiveness of existing companies.
Geographic Expansion: New Focus Sites Across the U.S.
The 15 newly announced Focus Sites are spread across a diverse range of states: Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Texas. Each of these states plays a unique role in the national supply chain—whether by serving as agricultural hubs, manufacturing centers, or gateways to ports and cross-border trade.
By strategically placing these Focus Sites, Union Pacific ensures that its rail network can accommodate a wide spectrum of industries. For example:
- Agricultural exporters in the Midwest can gain more direct rail access to ports.
- Manufacturers in the South and Central U.S. can better integrate their supply chains with rail.
- Logistics providers in the Pacific Northwest benefit from connections to global shipping gateways.
This geographic diversity also highlights Union Pacific’s dedication to inclusivity in infrastructure development, making sure that businesses across different regions can leverage rail connectivity.
Complementary Tools: The Site Solutions Platform
In addition to the Focus Sites program, Union Pacific offers customers a Site Solutions Tool, which features a database of more than 2,000 potential properties located within close proximity to Union Pacific rail lines. Each property is within 800 meters of a rail line, making them ideal candidates for businesses seeking to establish rail-served facilities.
The Site Solutions Tool is regularly updated, ensuring customers have full visibility into available options. This digital resource empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions about site selection, speeding up the process of evaluating properties and connecting with Union Pacific to establish service. Together, the Site Solutions Tool and the Focus Site program represent a comprehensive approach to helping shippers integrate rail into their operations.
Why Rail Access Matters for Businesses
For many companies, access to rail transportation can be a game-changer. Rail offers cost efficiency, sustainability benefits, and capacity advantages compared to highway-only transportation. With rising concerns about truck driver shortages, highway congestion, and environmental impact, rail has become increasingly attractive.
Union Pacific’s expanded Focus Site program not only opens the door for more companies to use rail but also strengthens the resilience of the broader freight network. By integrating short line railroads and strategically located development sites, the company is helping shippers reduce transit times, lower shipping costs, and improve supply chain reliability.
Union Pacific’s Larger Vision
The addition of these 15 Focus Sites brings Union Pacific’s total to 39 sites across its network. Each site represents more than just real estate—it is a cornerstone of Union Pacific’s vision to provide seamless, scalable, and sustainable transportation solutions.
By aligning with short line railroads and empowering local communities, Union Pacific is fostering a logistics environment that benefits shippers, communities, and the overall U.S. economy. Whether businesses are shipping domestically or tapping into cross-border and overseas markets, these developments ensure that Union Pacific remains a trusted and forward-thinking partner in freight transportation.