Union Pacific Railroad to Award More Than $35,000 in Video Remake Contest as Company Kicks Off Year-Long 150th Anniversary Celebration

Special www.up150.com website includes historical timeline and invites fans to submit their personal stories

OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 3, 2012  -- As part of the launch of its 150th anniversary celebration website, Union Pacific Railroad will award more than $35,000 in prizes to the top entries that remake the company's classic 1970s television commercial, "We Can Handle It."

 Video remake contestants can find information, rules, sheet music to the commercial's Great Big Rollin' Railroad theme song, and other resources at http://www.up150.com/. Entries are encouraged from all music genres including blues, reggae, pop, country, rock, hip hop, rap, jazz and others. The grand prize winner will receive $15,000, two finalists will receive $5,000 each and six runners up will receive $1,000 each. One entry each month also will win receive $1,000. Entry deadline is July 1, 2011, and contestants must be 18 years of age or older.

The original We Can Handle It television spots featured hand-clapping, foot-stomping employees from across the Union Pacific network singing the Great Big Rollin' Railroad lyrics in a variety of settings, some more on key than others. Several different versions of the commercials were produced and aired. Still popular today, the Great Big Rollin' Railroad ring tone has been downloaded more than 100,000 times.

Interactive TimelineRail enthusiasts, Abraham Lincoln fans, students, history buffs and employees will enjoy visiting the railroad's interactive and resplendent historical timeline published at http://www.up150.com/. Combining history and high-tech, the timeline highlights in detail 60 milestones in Union Pacific's history and features more than 100 photos from Union Pacific's archives.

Tell Us Your StoryUnion Pacific today is part of more than 7,300 communities across the western two-thirds of the U.S., many of which were settled as a result of their proximity to the railroad. Nearly everyone has a story about the railroad, whether it involves working on it, riding the train, or just appreciating the power and technology of a 200-ton locomotive rolling across the countryside. As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, Union Pacific invites everyone to share their stories via www.up150.com and become part of the railroad's history. Stories can be shared via Facebook or Twitter and website visitors can vote for their favorite stories.

About Union PacificOne of America's iconic companies, Union Pacific celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2012. Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act of July 1,1862, creating the original Union Pacific. Today, Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP), linking 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail and providing freight solutions and logistics expertise to the global supply chain. From 2000 through 2011, Union Pacific spent more than $31 billion on its network and operations, making needed investments in America's infrastructure and enhancing its ability to provide safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible freight transportation. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and emphasizes excellent customer service. Union Pacific operates competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways.

Ways to Connect with Union Pacific
www.up.com
www.facebook.com/unionpacific
www.twitter.com/unionpacific
www.up150.com/
www.upstore150.com/

Coolio is a celebrity contestant on Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off.

Celebrity Cook-Off
Two of the world's best-known culinary personalities go head-to-head.
Watch Rachael vs. Guy, Sundays at 9pm/8c.

Coolio began rapping at a young age and performed in many local Los Angeles rap contests as a youth. He recorded two singles in the late ‘80s, titled "Watcha Gonna Do" and "You're Gonna Miss Me," and ended up joining the group WC and the Maad Circle in 1991. Three years later Coolio signed to Tommy Boy Records and released his debut solo album, It Takes a Thief. The album contained the single "Fantastic Voyage," which became Coolio's breakout song. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of the biggest rap singles of the year. The album also contained a few minor hits in "County Line" and "I Remember." Overall, the album was very successful, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 200 and being certified Platinum.

Celebrity Contestant: Coolio

After the success of his debut, Coolio became a legitimate rap star. In 1995 he recorded a song for the movie Dangerous Minds, "Gangsta's Paradise." "Gangsta's Paradise," which featured R&B singer L.V., would become one of the most successful rap songs of all time, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for three weeks. The album Gangsta's Paradise was released in 1995 and was certified 2X Platinum by the RIAA. The album also contained two other major hits in "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" and "Too Hot." In 1996 Coolio had another Top 40 hit with the song "It's All the Way Live (Now)" from the Eddie soundtrack. He was also featured on the song "Hit 'em High" from the soundtrack to the movie Space Jam with B-Real, Method Man, LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes. Coolio performed the theme song for the 1996 television show Kenan & Kel, entitled "Aw Here It Goes." Coolio also appeared in a one-time role as the host of a pleasure palace in Space: Above and Beyond. He was also featured in an episode of The Bill, as well as staring in episodes of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and The Nanny, where he played the grandson of Ray Charles' character, Sammy.

Charity: Music Saves Lives