HUTCHINSON, Kan — As expected Union Pacific’s third-quarter profit declined 5 percent because the 
railroad hauled 6 percent less freight and coal demand remained weak.
The Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad said Thursday that shipping rate increases of about 3.5 percent and cheap fuel couldn’t offset the decline in volume. Automotive shipments, which were up 5 percent, was the only shipping to increase in the quarter.
Union Pacific reported net income of $1.3 billion, for the latest quarter compared to $1.37 billion,last year. Union Pacific’s revenue totaled $5.56 billion The railroad has furloughed about 2,700 employees, and idled 140 more locomotives in the quarter because of the weak demand.
One of UP’s biggest customers in Reno County, ADM will report its quarterly earnings November 3.