WINNEMUCCA — Union Pacific Railroad recently opened the Donner Pass route after a year-long construction project designed to facilitate taller and longer trains.  The improved route can now handle up to 9,000 feet of train with double-stacked freight containers.

The improved route is without question good for the railroad as it cuts  three hours off the travel time between California and Chicago, UP noted.  However, there was some question the improved route might bring more train traffic through Winnemucca and across Bridge St.

According to UP Spokesman Tom Lange, the amount of train traffic crossing the country largely depends on the economy.  During times of economic growth consumers buy and more goods are shipped.  The opposite is also true.  As consumers scale back their buying and spending, retailers reduce their shipping.

Lange said, “We are like most industries and companies in that we expect the economy to rebound.  When it does we will be able to move double-stacked trains through Donner Tunnel instead of Feather River Canyon.”  He added while there might be some additional train traffic due to the route through Donner, it will not be significant.  Lange said, “It depends on the economy.”

Lange explained the Donner Pass route is good for UP customers because it gets their products moved faster.  It also provides an alternate route for UP in the case of a route closure.  For example, if a snow storm closes one of the routes the train traffic can simply be routed through the alternate route.

Lange also pointed out the advantage to rail traffic over other resources.  He said every double-stack has the potential to reduce over-the-road truck traffic by 300 vehicles.  Among the benefits is the reduction of congestion on highways and less wear-and-tear on the roads themselves.

The improved route, which is already opened to train traffic, will allow for taller and longer trains.  According to UP, trains on the improved route may be up to 9,000 ft. long.  The double-stacked freight carriers had been routed through the Feather River Canyon route and were restricted to 5,700 ft. of train.