 U.S. Class I railroads remain optimistic that hiring initiatives and operational changes should bring about improved service for the remainder of the year and into 2023, according to top executives remarks at a recent investor conference. Were in pretty smooth sailing for the rest of the fall, and I expect continuous improvement in terms of increasing car velocity, improved utilization of crews and improved car-per-carload metrics, said Union Pacific NYSE: UNP President and CEO Lance Fritz at a recent conference sponsored by investment firm Cowen. 