HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It is expected to be a mostly positive earnings session for companies with Hutchinson connections. Union Pacific got it started on a strong note Thursday morning with a record-setting second quarter.

The nation’s largest railroad reported 2018 second quarter net income of $1.5 billion, or a second quarter record $1.98 per diluted share. This compares to $1.2 billion, or $1.45 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2017.

Operating revenue of $5.7 billion was up 8 percent in the second quarter of 2018, compared to the second quarter of 2017. Second quarter carloads increased 4 percent, compared to 2017, with carloads increasing in every sector. The increased traffic did put a squeeze on the railroads capacity as average train speeds fell to 24 miles per hour, a drop of 3 percent.

Union Pacific operates 25 to 30 trains per day in Reno County and carries a total valuation in the county of nearly $6.3 million.

Arconic is next in line to make its quarterly earnings announcement on July 24. Siemens Gamesa will follow on July 27.