Britannica Money

Texas and Pacific Railway Company

American railway
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
Updated:
Date:
1871 - 1976
Ticker:
UNP
Share price:
$242.39 (mkt close, Nov. 22, 2024)
Market cap:
$146.95 bil.
Annual revenue:
$24.29 bil.
Earnings per share (prev. year):
$10.88
Sector:
Industrials
Industry:
Ground Transportation
CEO:
Mr. Vincenzo James Vena

Texas and Pacific Railway Company, Texas railroad merged into the Missouri Pacific in 1976. Chartered in 1871, it absorbed several other Texas railroads and extended service to El Paso in the west and New Orleans, La., in the east. Under Thomas A. Scott, who was simultaneously president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the line attempted to build to New Mexico and Arizona, where it could obtain a land grant for further expansion, but this plan was eventually abandoned.

In 1880 the railroad, along with several others, was acquired by Jay Gould, who made them into feeder lines for the Missouri Pacific, which he also controlled. The Texas and Pacific was officially merged into the Missouri Pacific in 1976, together with the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad.