BNSF, Norfolk Southern offer joint intermodal service

BNSF provides the line-haul service between Southern California and Chicago, while NS provides the line-haul service between Chicago and the East Coast. The train runs non-stop with only a crew change at NS’s Ashland Avenue Yard in Chicago. The service is designed to compete with premium over-the-road transportation offerings, said Steve Branscum, group VP for BNSF’s Consumer Products Business Unit.

“This reduces transcontinental rail transit time and allows customers with very time-sensitive freight the opportunity to sell coast-to-coast third and fourth day service to the marketplace – something previously only available through team driver over-the-road transportation,” Branscum said.

Both companies claim this new intermodal trailer service will decrease transit times between the east and west coast by at least half a day, while also reducing cross-town drayage through Chicago.