The use of intermodal rail cars for train car transportation is on the rise for a variety of reasons. First and foremost these types of rail cars are designed for use in transporting 20- and 40-foot containers. The containers can be easily lifted and transferred to the backs of tractor trailers and then onto ships, making it easy to move cargo from rail to road to sea.

When learning about rail cars for sale or train cars for sale, consider intermodal rail car producers and shippers as viable options for transporting your cargo. This article will discuss intermodal rail cars news and trends that are important to know when comparing information about intermodal rail car makers and shipping companies.

1. Safety and security tracking of cargo on rail cars has grown very high tech.

2. C-TPAT certification is considered wise when dealing with intermodal rail cars or containers being shipped to the U.S.

3. Intermodal rail car leasing has become a viable option for transporting your products or cargo.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about tracking devices for railroad cars

Highly technical tracking devices for containers are invaluable for the intermodal and rail car transportation industry. These devices incorporate GPS, Internet, cell phone communications and even sensing capabilities to make sure you know that your cargo is safe.

I recommend: PAR Technology has been working to improve intermodal rail car security since 2000. Their "Cargo Watch System" utilizes the technologies listed above to provide "real time visibility of cargo and containers." NewsGuide discusses the Port of Tacoma's efforts to test GPS tracking systems on intermodal containers.

Ensure C-TPAT certification for whomever you arrange to handle rail car shipments to the U.S.

The U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification is recommended by the U.S. Customs and Border control. To obtain certification, transport companies must follow rigorous safety and security standards in exchange for more efficient Customs inspections and fast-track access on shipments across U.S. borders, as well as a host of other benefits. If any of your cargo needs to come in via a U.S. port, C-TPAT certification is highly advised from a safety, security and timeliness perspective.

I recommend: Read the article on CBS Interactive site BNET about the anticipated customer benefits when Pacer Stacktrain received its C-TPAT Certification in 2005. An article in Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine discusses the benefits for NYK Logistics getting C-TPAT certified.

Leasing intermodal rail cars containers makes good business sense for many customers

Many find that leasing versus purchasing of intermodal rail cars provides flexibility in terms of the types of containers that can be utilized, and also allows for easier container replacement or upgrade when necessary.

I recommend: Beacon Intermodal Leasing offers its customers custom-tailored leases and a variety of container options. Informa Trade & Energy briefly summarizes Containerisation International magazine's Container Leasing Market Report, which is available for purchase. Sample pages and a brochure can be ordered for more information about market trends and statistics in the container leasing market.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When calculating your transportation budget to ship goods or products in or out of the country, keep in mind that you are likely to incur additional fees. U.S. Port fees, for instance, run between $250-$350 depending on the size of your container. There is also a destination charge of approximately $100 for each container that leaves the country.

Intermodal rail cars carry freight by containers that can be transferred to another form of transportation, such as truck or ship. Intermodal rail car transportation allows freight to be transferred faster and reduces freight handling costs.

Flat, spine and well are the three main types railcars used in intermodal transportation. Flat rail cars can carry containers or trailers. Spine cars are a lighter weight version of flat cars. Well cars have a depression that lowers the clearance and allows double-stacked containers. When choosing train cars for sale or lease, you need to consider the following options:

1. Flat railroad cars carry one or two containers that are at least 40 feet long.

2. Well cars have more carrying options because the containers can be stacked.

3. Spine cars are weigh less and are more fuel efficient to operate.

4. Some rail cars have supports at either end of the rail car to minimize load shifting.

5. Articulated railcars carry containers on multiple platforms.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate intermodal rail cars for sale

Most railroad car manufacturers make more than one type of intermodal rail car. Look for a manufacturer with extensive experience in the design and construction of quality rail cars that weigh less and carry more.

I recommend: FreightCar America manufacturers articulated bulk containers, 89-foot flat cars and well cars. National Steel is a rail car manufacturer of intermodal spine cars and well cars. The spine car carries a 48-foot or 53-foot container and the well car capable of carrying up to 226,000 pounds.

Lease intermodal rail cars

Leasing agreements vary in length and can cover new or existing equipment. Depending on the agreement, the lessee may or may not be responsible for maintenance and insurance on the rail cars.

I recommend: First Union Rail offers a variety of customized long-term and short-term leasing options on flat cars and well cars. GE Rail Services offers a host of leasing programs with the option of a comprehensive maintenance agreement. GATX Rail leases single-stack and double-stack rail cars.

Locate a company that refurbishes intermodal rail cars

When you have invested a significant amount of money in an intermodal rail car, often refurbishing it is a more cost-effective option than replacing it.

I recommend: FreightCar.com sells an all-purpose spine car with five articulated platforms. They also have used intermodal railroad cars for sale. Greenbrier Rail Services has a network of refurbishment services throughout the U.S. Their refurbishment services cover routine maintenance and wreck repairs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A sale/leaseback is another popular leasing option some companies offer. The leasing company purchases all or some of the railcars in your fleet, and then leases the cars back to you. This frees up cash for more strategic investment into other areas of your business and your company doesn't have to worry about getting rid of used equipment.

Intermodal rail cars carry freight by containers that can be easily transferred to another form of transportation, generally truck or ship. Intermodal rail car transportation is more efficient than traditional rail cars. These rail cars allow freight to be transferred more quickly and with greater ease, which ultimately reduces freight handling costs and risk of damage to the cargo.

This article will briefly educate you on intermodal rail car basics, to give you a better idea of what to look for when checking out rail cars for sale. When interviewing rail car makers and evaluating rail car producers, be sure to consider the following questions about railroad cars:

1. What type of train cars for sale suits your intermodal transportation needs?

2. What rail car size will best suit your cargo carrying needs?

3. Where should one go for rail car repair and spare parts?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine what type of intermodal rail cars suits your transportation needs

Flat, spine and well are the three main types rail cars used in intermodal transportation. Flat rail cars can carry containers or trailers. Spine cars are a lighter weight version of flat cars. Well cars have a depression that lowers the clearance and allows for containers to be double-stacked.

I recommend: Boxcar Service's inventory includes intermodal flat cars. Capital Rail also has flat cars specially designed for intermodal use between the United Kingdom and Europe. They can also use the Channel Tunnel.

Decide on the size specifications for the railroad cars you need

The most common container sizes used in international commerce are 20 and 40 feet long. Some go as large as 48-foot units or are designed with added height.

I recommend: On-Site Storage Solutions sells 20- and 40-foot containers that also come refrigerated. The inventory of Intermodal Container Services, or ICS, includes 20-foot, 49-foot standard, and 40-foot high cubes which stand at nine feet, six inches.

Locate spare parts and service dealers for railroad cars

Maintaining intermodal rail containers is critical, as these containers must withstand the elements on highways when on the backs of trucks, on the railroads when on the backs of train cars, and at sea when on ships. During these journeys, they are exposed to a variety of temperatures for days at a time.

I recommend: Greenbrier provides complete wreck repair as well as mobile repair for intermodal rail cars. American Railcar Industries offers similar repair services, as well as preventive maintenance programs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Container leasing is a popular option for those wishing to use intermodal rail cars to transport goods and products. Leasing is similar to renting in that you have to put down an initial deposit and then pay monthly.

Intermodal rail cars allow for quicker transportation of goods, since they can work easily with other modes of transportation. This can be beneficial in reducing costs. So before you invest time and money into the intermodal rail car business, you should be aware of the different types of rail cars available and how they can work to your advantage. You should also familiarize yourself with certification qualifications before setting your sights on the intermodal railway.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Flat rail cars

Flat rail cars can carry one or two containers that are at least 40 feet long. These freight cars do not possess a permanent roof or sides, allowing for larger items to be placed on top.

I recommend: Visit FreightCar America to see pictures of and learn more about flat rail cars.

Spine rail cars

Spine rail cars are generally more fuel efficient than any other rail cars. Capable of transporting containers that are more than 50 feet long, the spine rail cars are another effective mode of freight transportation.

I recommend: Check out PTI Forest Products by Rail to see photos of its railroad fleet, including spine rail cars.

Double-stack rail cars

Double-stack rail cars are designed so freight items can be stacked on top of each other. They are similar to well cars, which have depressed centers to allow for extra-tall containers to clear tunnels.

I recommend: Compare the differences and similarities between double-stack rail cars and well cars at Union Pacific. After reading the entry for double-stack, scroll down the page to the well car entry.

Articulated rail cars

Articulated rail cars can carry containers that are placed on multiple platforms. Well cars can be categorized as articulated rail cars.

I recommend: Learn more about articulated rail cars at Tacoma Rail.

C-TPAT certification

If you are in the intermodal rail car business, then the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification is recommended by the U.S. Customs and Border control. To obtain this certification, you have to adhere to detailed safety and security standards. If for any reason your shipments must come in via a U.S. port, then C-TPAT certification is effective in insuring the shipments' arrival.

I recommend: Learn more about C-TPAT certification at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Van grounding

Once the intermodal train has reached its destination, the containers undergo van grounding. This is when the containers are removed from the train.

I recommend: Learn how the containers are removed from the trains at the Intermodal Association of North America.