The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway and CSX Intermodal have teamed up to expand BNSF's Ice Cold Express refrigerated freight service
to the New York and New Jersey markets.
This twice-weekly service between San Bernardino, Calif. and Little Ferry, N.J. began June 14. The service provides shippers with a fourth evening delivery, a full day faster than current rail transit times.
"With a service schedule to meet the need for midnight deliveries, the Ice Cold Express is a highly competitive alternative to over-the-road transportation," said Steve Branscum, BNSF group vice president, Consumer Products Marketing.
Clarence Gooden, CSXI president and CEO, said the new service gives customers "the reliability of truck service with the economic advantage of rail.
"We're demonstrating that almost anything can now move by rail."
BNSF introduced the Ice Cold Express in 1999 as a weekly service for temperature-controlled products moving between Southern California and Chicago. Last October, the Ice Cold Express network expanded to include service to and from Montreal and Toronto.
The Ice Cold Express uses 53-foot Wabash National ReeferRailer trailers and bogies in unit train service. This slackless technology ensures a smooth ride and features state-of-the-art technology for temperature control and satellite tracking for real-time status reports.
CSX Intermodal is an integrated intermodal company serving domestic U.S. and international customers throughout North America from origin to destination with its own truck, rail and terminal operations. BNSF operates one of the largest rail networks in North America.