Union Pacific Railroad Gets Train Talk

Three Way Transfer Inc. of Fort Smith is one of two Arkansas businesses that have filed suit to get Union Pacific Railroad Co. to move its trains.

Replacement Parts Inc. of Little Rock, the parent company of Crow Burlingame, and Three Way Transfer alleged UP has been using an abandoned freight line that runs in front of their properties in south Little Rock as an extension of its rail yard, thus blocking the “only means of lawful ingress and egress to the businesses.”

The whole property, including the freight line and the lots where the businesses are located, was once owned by Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Co. but was sold in 1974 to developers.

The complaint alleges Union Pacific trains began routinely blocking entry to the property, often for hours at a time, about two years ago, and though representatives from the railroad company have promised to remedy the situation, nothing has changed. The blockages have kept employees and customers of both companies from accessing the businesses.

“Being held hostage as a result of the blocked crossings creates harsh feelings and has a detrimental impact on the morale and corporate culture of the plaintiffs,” the complaint alleged.

The complaint cites numerous incidents, and details one instance in which a Replacement Parts customer parked his car, climbed through the parked train, completed his transaction, climbed back through the train and then left.

Replacement Parts estimated its losses in excess of $1.4 million. The complaint requests a jury trial. Calls to the plaintiffs’ attorney and to Union Pacific were not immediately returned.