Rail is a realistic alternative, even for those in the West, where trains are more available, said Michael Locati, president of Walla Walla, Wash.-based Locati Farms Inc.
“I think we’re going to see quite a resurgence in rail,” he said. “And we do have Railex right in our backyard. It should be a little faster. But you’ve got to remember that you’re still paying a fuel charge and it costs money to move product across the U.S. But rail is a little cheaper, and we’re going to see a little more stuff going on rail cars and maybe less on the roads.”
Derrell Kelso Jr., owner of Stockton, Calif.-based Onions Etc., agreed that rail is becoming a viable option today.
“You have one engine taking a bunch of cars, and it leaves on Wednesday and gets to its destination four or five days later,” he said. “The service is impeccable. Customers like it. Deliveries are for the most part on time. Customers are happy not waiting for the truck. It’s a big old train that has a schedule and meets it. It’s just begun. It’s very exciting for this industry.”
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