UPHS 2025 Convention

Rock Island, IL
September 17-20

We will have tours of historic UP equipment at the Illinois Railway Museum (Thursday all day) and at Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (Friday afternoon). Download the form using the link below for convention schedules.

Presentations: Our presenters at the Saturday night banquet will be retired UP executives Mike Hemmer and Tom Haley, who will present about UP’s 1997-1998 service crisis and the efforts to quell it. On Friday night John Kaiser (retired UP SVP Intermodal) will relate the resurgence of UP’s intermodal business 2003-2016. Other presentations: On Wednesday after the ice breaker reception, Mark Amfahr will present an overview of UP equipment at the Illinois Railway Museum. Chris Faulk has prepared a presentation on locomotives and rolling stock owned by UP and leased to Rock Island that Rob Leachman will present. On Thursday evening Jim Ehernberger will present about UP motor cars and Tom Marsh will relate efforts providing high-quality brass models at Overland Models. Friday morning, Mark Amfahr will explain joint UP-Rock Island operations and Rob Leachman also will present about the era of the 6900s (AKA the Centennials) on the UP.  Saturday evening, after Mr. Kaiser’s presentation, Jim Ehernberger will present about UP non-revenue equipment.

• Saturday Sept 20: depart Silvis, IL 9:30am and operate west to a location near Homestead, IA. The train will turn on the wye there and return to Silvis, operating a total distance of 170 miles. The UPHS banquet and other evening activities will take place after the train’s return.
• Sunday Sept 21: depart Silvis 10:00am and operate east to Bureau, IL, where the train will turn on the wye then return to Silvis. This train will travel a distance of 120 miles.