Background
In December 1982, Union Pacific Corporation, owner of Union Pacific Railroad, took control of Missouri Pacific Railroad and
Western Pacific Railroad. While WP was immediately integrated into Union Pacific Railroad, Missouri Pacific operated separately
for several more years. Both MP and UP had their own operating, mechanical and engineering officials who reported to system
officials in Omaha. At the time of this special, John C. Kenefick was chairman of the Union Pacific Corporation and also chief
executive officer of each railroad.
All major capital improvement projects required the chairman's approval. The process involved creation of an AFE (Authority
for Expenditure) for each proposed project showing the cost of the work and the projected savings. Frequently, an inspection
special was operated to assist in the approval process. Senior officers accompanied the Chairman to answer questions. In
December 1984, a business train called the "Chairman's Special" operated from Omaha to Little Rock to inspect proposed capital
improvement projects on the Missouri Pacific. Missouri Pacific's Richard K. Davidson, Vice-President of Operations and Michael
L. Wall, Chief Mechanical Officer, were on this trip.
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