OREANDA-NEWS. Montpelier, Idaho, has been awarded membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of Union Pacific's ongoing efforts to highlight cities with a historical connection to the railroad. The city received an official Train Town USA resolution signed by Union Pacific Chairman Jack Koraleski as part of Montpelier's sesquicentennial celebration. Union Pacific launched its Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's 150th anniversary celebration in 2012.

"We are proud to recognize Montpelier as we celebrate our growing up together," said Dan Harbeke, Union Pacific's director, Public Affairs for Idaho, Montana and Utah. "Union Pacific was founded to help connect the nation from east to west. Our shared heritage with Montpelier is a source of pride as we remember our past while delivering the goods American businesses and families use every day."

The rail line in Montpelier was built in 1892. Today Union Pacific has about 850 miles of track in the state of Idaho. The company has invested more than USD 240 million in the state from 2009 to 2013. These are private investments not taxpayer dollars. Union Pacific serves Idaho's richly varied agricultural industry and connects the state to the global economy.

Union Pacific serves nearly 7,300 communities in 23 states west of Illinois, covering 32,000 miles.