Amtrak and Union Pacific Railroad have reached an agreement on a performance plan to reduce passenger train delays while Union Pacific makes necessary track improvements.

Under the agreement, Union Pacific will limit speed restrictions that can cause Amtrak trains to fall behind schedule on Union Pacific's routes. Amtrak corridor routes governed by this agreement with Union Pacific include the Amtrak Cascades (Ore. and Wash.); Capitol Corridor Service, Pacific Surfliner Service and San Joaquin Service (Calif.); Lincoln Service (Ill.) and Missouri Mules. The agreement helps crews complete necessary track maintenance that enhance safety, on-time performance and ride quality, according to Union Pacific.

The track improvements are part of more than $1 billion the company is planning to spend in 2007 to maintain its track across the 32,400 mile system, officials say.

Union Pacific also hosts some or all of the routes of the California Zephyr (San Francisco Bay-Chicago), Coast Starlight (Los Angeles-Seattle), Sunset Limited (Los Angeles-New Orleans) and Texas Eagle (San Antonio-Chicago), which are also covered by this agreement.

In return for Union Pacific's commitment to limit slow orders, Amtrak is making limited temporary schedule adjustments to the California Zephyr, starting June 21 and expected through 2009.