Freight Trains

Your freight train is rollin' down the line

Freight trains offer you an environmentally friendly mode of transportation that is more fuel efficient, cost effective and has lower air emissions than semi trucks. Freight railroads offer you cargo trains to haul anything from grain, to stone, to coal, to corn, to ethanol/biofuels and more.

Rail freight rates are less expensive than trucking or flying your product. You can choose any size line from Class I, regional, down to local. In today’s industry, regardless if you are a local farmer or a major manufacturer, freight train shipping may give you a competitive and reliable transportation solution.

To accommodate your gear that is hitting the rails:

1. Find freight trains that run in your area to your point of destination, or to a hub that connects to your destination.

2. Find rail freight rates that fit your budget.

3. Make arrangements to transload your product from truck to rail, and then again from rail to truck after it has hit its destination.

Go big on your cargo trains

You can find 7 Class I rail freight companies that run through the U.S.

Choose companies that offer socially responsible freight trains and track records

UP offers you a "cleaner and greener" railway choice. CSX offers you high priority on safety both for its employee and for the public. KCS represents for you a Responsible Care(R) company since 1999.

Consider a broker to help you with the logistics

Thankfully, I had help arranging the transportation of my card line. My sales rep brokered the railroad freight rates as well as the transloading logistics. She helped me with the freight trains information that I was unaware of because I hadn't experienced train as a mode of product transportation before.

• Allow yourself ample time if you plan to ship via train.
• Find out if you need additional insurance in addition to your railroad freight rates for your product while in transit.

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