WALLULA -- The red train engine rumbled through the new Railex warehouse Thursday pulling a mile of refrigerated rail cars just loaded with fresh Washington produce.
After two days of loading, 15 carloads of potatoes, 15 cars of onions and 25 cars of crisp Washington apples, mixed with a few boxes of juicy pears were headed to the East Coast.
On Tuesday, the equivalent of 200 truckloads of fresh Mid-Columbia produce will be unloaded in New York.
Railex CEO Andy Pollak and Vice President Paul Esposito waited four years for this moment -- to realize their idea of creating a dedicated rail line with refrigerated cars to carry produce from the West Coast to the East Coast in a short period of time.
Pollak was president of an East Coast produce repackaging and distribution company. Esposito was a sales manager for a railroad company that provided service to Pollak.
"The idea came out of conversations Andy and I had," Esposito said. "We were both frustrated with current rail and long-haul trucking."
The cost of trucking produce across the country was increasing because of higher fuel costs and rising insurance rates. And a nationwide shortage of long-haul truck drivers was making it more difficult to find trucks to make the trip.
After two days of loading, 15 carloads of potatoes, 15 cars of onions and 25 cars of crisp Washington apples, mixed with a few boxes of juicy pears were headed to the East Coast.
On Tuesday, the equivalent of 200 truckloads of fresh Mid-Columbia produce will be unloaded in New York.
Railex CEO Andy Pollak and Vice President Paul Esposito waited four years for this moment -- to realize their idea of creating a dedicated rail line with refrigerated cars to carry produce from the West Coast to the East Coast in a short period of time.
Pollak was president of an East Coast produce repackaging and distribution company. Esposito was a sales manager for a railroad company that provided service to Pollak.
"The idea came out of conversations Andy and I had," Esposito said. "We were both frustrated with current rail and long-haul trucking."
The cost of trucking produce across the country was increasing because of higher fuel costs and rising insurance rates. And a nationwide shortage of long-haul truck drivers was making it more difficult to find trucks to make the trip.
No comments:
Post a Comment