On the morning of the first day of 2024, an eastbound Union Pacific manifest grinds up Arlington Hill in eastern Nebraska. This former Chicago & North Western line provides a shortcut that allows trains to avoid the congestion of the Union Pacific's original mainline through Omaha and Council Bluffs. It's not without its own challenges, however, namely this short but relatively steep grade that's needed to cross the hilly terrain between the Platte and Missouri River valleys. Over a decade ago, with coal traffic still at high levels, the UP completed grading work in anticipation of building a second main track. That never came to fruition, but it did open up this view near the top of the hill that used to be obscured by trees.
