Union Pacific and CSX to Introduce a New Produce Service in 2006
CSX Press Release -- August 02, 2005
Fresh Washington State produce will soon make its way to New York State aboard Union Pacific Railroad's and CSX Transportation's new dedicated produce unit train. The service, made available through agreements with Railex LLC, is scheduled to begin in first quarter 2006.
The 55-car train will consist of new refrigerated boxcars that can carry as much as four truckloads of produce each. The high-speed travel time - 124 hours - is partly achieved by keeping the train intact from its loading point until arrival as a "unit" at destination.
"We believe this new service will provide an alternative method to ship perishable produce from Washington to New York other than over-the-road transportation," said John Philp, Union Pacific Railroad, assistant vice president - food and refrigerated products.
"We are very excited about this new service option for shippers of perishable goods, which will fill an existing transportation void by allowing for a fifth-morning arrival from Washington State to the Northeast," said Andy Pollak, CEO and owner of AMPCO Distribution Services Management, LLC.
The refrigerated boxcars are a new generation of 64-foot railcars with enhanced insulation, energy efficient cooling systems and GPS monitoring to ensure proper temperature control. The unit train is designed to carry products such as apples, pears, onions and potatoes. In addition, this new service opens the gateway for a variety of other highly perishable commodities currently transported by truck. The train will provide Washington perishable shippers with both a high-speed and reliable transportation alternative while offering the cost savings that rail provides.
The 55-car train will consist of new refrigerated boxcars that can carry as much as four truckloads of produce each. The high-speed travel time - 124 hours - is partly achieved by keeping the train intact from its loading point until arrival as a "unit" at destination.
"We believe this new service will provide an alternative method to ship perishable produce from Washington to New York other than over-the-road transportation," said John Philp, Union Pacific Railroad, assistant vice president - food and refrigerated products.
"We are very excited about this new service option for shippers of perishable goods, which will fill an existing transportation void by allowing for a fifth-morning arrival from Washington State to the Northeast," said Andy Pollak, CEO and owner of AMPCO Distribution Services Management, LLC.
The refrigerated boxcars are a new generation of 64-foot railcars with enhanced insulation, energy efficient cooling systems and GPS monitoring to ensure proper temperature control. The unit train is designed to carry products such as apples, pears, onions and potatoes. In addition, this new service opens the gateway for a variety of other highly perishable commodities currently transported by truck. The train will provide Washington perishable shippers with both a high-speed and reliable transportation alternative while offering the cost savings that rail provides.
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