Railroads Tally Cost of Y2K

The nation's railroads are spending more than $250 million to make sure their computer systems comply with the Year 2000 challenge.

Union Pacific Corp. began developing a solution in 1994 and has spent about $46 million. Its competitors have since joined the bandwagon: Norfolk Southern started work in 1995, spending about $25 million; CSX Corp. initiated plans in 1996, spending about $61 million; and Burlington Northern began in 1997, spending about $20 million.