Additional menu

Union Pacific Historical Society

Dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Union Pacific Railroad

UPHS 2025 Convention

Rock Island, IL
September 17-20

We will have tours of historic UP equipment at Railroading Heritage of Midwest America and the Illinois Railway Museum. Download the form using the link below for convention schedules.

Presentations: In lieu of a formal banquet, we will have a banquet Saturday night inside the Silvis Shop. Our presenters Saturday night 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 2003-2014. Mark Amfahr will explain joint UP-Rock Island operations. Chris Faulk will delve into locomotives and rolling stock owned by UP and leased to Rock Island. Rob Leachman will present about the era of the 6900s (AKA the Centennials) on the UP. Details about these and other presentations will be posted as they are developed.

There will be two train trips available to us this year! Funds raised by these trips will go toward various railroad preservation projects as well as Operation Lifesaver. Convention activities have been adjusted to avoid conflict with the trips, so you won’t miss any UPHS events if you elect to ride the trains. The trains will operate on the former Rock Island (now Iowa Interstate) mainline on Saturday and Sunday September 20 and 21.  The trains will be pulled by Centennial 6936 and consists will include former UP lightweight cars along with IAIS and other equipment. Seats will be available to UPHS members starting Saturday morning July 12 and will be offered to the general public starting Sunday July 13. To ensure you get your desired seat on the train, please make your reservation as soon as you’re able.
Here are the trips that are planned:
  • 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.
Reservations to ride one or both trips can be made through the RRHMA website (Use the following link in your browser): RRHMA website
Registration:

Hotel Reservations: Contact the Holiday Inn – Rock Island at (309) 794-1212 (for reservations and to request airport shuttle service, if desired). Mention code “UPH” (for UP Historical Society) for discounted room rate of $96 per night.

Questions? Contact us at convention@uphs.org

 

Updated: 11 July 2025