Special session examines how Cold Train, terminal aid Washington apple industry

Washington state’s House Transportation Committee held a special legislative work session recently in Olympia WA about the Cold Train Express Intermodal Service and Port of Quincy Intermodal Terminal.
The session examined how the two are helping to provide Washington state apple farmers and shippers a cost-effective, efficient option to ship apples from Washington State (on BNSF Railway) to 20 US states in the Midwest and East Coast, as well as one Canadian province.
Rep Brad Hawkins, who represents the 12th Legislative District and is a member of the House Transportation Committee, was a catalyst in organizing this session.
At the session, Patric Connelly (representing the Port of Quincy) and Patrick Boss (representing Port of Quincy and Cold Train) provided a PowerPoint presentation to the House Transportation Committee about the Cold Train’s Expedited Eastbound Intermodal Service and the Port of Quincy Intermodal Terminal.
Cole Jessup of Columbia Marketing International (CMI), one of the larger apple shippers in Washington state; and Mike Durfee of Diamond Logistics Northwest discussed the importance of reliable, cost-effective transportation options (such as the Cold Train via the Port of Quincy Intermodal Terminal) to efficiently ship Washington state apples to Midwest and East Coast markets.
Panel members at the session made these conclusions:
•With continued relatively high fuel prices, the Cold Train service from the Port of Quincy provides apple shippers a good freight mobility option to diversify their transportation portfolios so they are not solely reliant on longhaul trucks, which are becoming increasingly regulated.
•Many shippers and receivers want to save fuel and reduce their carbon footprint, and Cold Train helps to do both.
•Cold Train provides additional shipping capacity, which is important as there are various periods during the year when longhaul trucks are in short supply.
For more information, contact Patrick Boss at 509-214-7696.