CSX, UP to start Wash./N.Y. produce unit train service
Union Pacific Railroad and CSX Transportation will start a joint dedicated produce unit train service between the state of Washington and New York in the first quarter of 2006.
The service will originate in Wallula, Wash., and terminate in Albany, New York, and will include an interchange in Chicago. Railex LLC, a division of AMPCO Distribution Services, will own and operate both new loading and unloading centers and will manage handling and distribution of product at each end.
The 55-car train will comprise new refrigerated boxcars that can each carry up to four truckloads of produce. The unit train is designed to carry products such as apples, pears, onions and potatoes. 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.
UP and CSX said the travel time between Washington and New York will be 124 hours.