Enhancing Intermodal Transport: A New Era for West Coast to Chicago Connections

Accelerated Service Bridges Inland Empire with Chicago’s Global 2

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• Union Pacific (UP) is introducing a speedier intermodal service connecting California’s Inland Empire to Chicago, cutting transit time to just over three days—up to 20% quicker than rival options.
• The new Z-train service commences operations five days a week starting September 3rd, utilizing well-established routes.
• This initiative forms part of UP‘s strategy to enhance transit speeds and bolster its competitive edge, particularly by maximizing the advantageous positioning of its Inland Empire Intermodal Terminal.
• The location of UP’s Inland Empire terminal close to significant warehousing areas reduces drayage costs, giving UP a leg up against competitors such as BNSF.

A faster domestic intermodal service is on the verge of launching, linking California’s Inland Empire with Chicago, transforming the logistics landscape.

According to UP (NYSE: UNP), their high-priority Z-train service will connect the Inland Empire Intermodal Terminal to Chicago’s Global 2, boasting a fast transit time guaranteed to be 20% quicker than existing industry alternatives.

“As we continue to expand our Inland Empire Intermodal Terminal, this service will provide consistent, reliable, truck-competitive transportation that challenges traditional over-the-road shipping, rivaling the operational capabilities of team driver services,” stated Kenny Rocker, UP’s executive vice president of marketing and sales.

For context, a representative from BNSF claimed their swiftest Z-train schedules running from San Bernardino to Chicago clock in at 49 hours.

Set to launch on September 3, UP’s new train service will initially operate five days weekly, using the Los Angeles & Salt Lake route to connect the Inland Empire to Salt Lake City, and then on to Chicago via the Overland Route.

This accelerated schedule is just one of many changes initiated under CEO Jim Vena’s leadership since he took the helm in August 2023. UP has made significant strides in reducing transit durations, slashing two days for premium domestic Z trains linking Southern California with Chicago. Additionally, they’ve trimmed a full day off the Eagle and Falcon Premium services connecting Mexico to Chicago, and ultimately to Canadian destinations via Canadian National (NYSE: CNR).

The opening of the Inland Empire terminal in 2021 marked a pivotal moment, with initial capacity set at 45,000 lifts annually. Demand spurred expansion, and the terminal will now accommodate 120,000 lifts each year.

Strategically located, the Inland Empire terminal stands out for UP. Containerized imports arrive from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, transferring to warehouses in the Inland Empire where they are adapted into domestic containers before heading inland by rail.

The West Colton terminal is ideally situated within a 10-mile radius of a staggering 625 million square feet of warehouse space in the Inland Empire area. In contrast, UP’s former terminal in the Los Angeles Basin was situated 37 miles away in City of Industry.

This cutback in dray distance not only curtails expenses for customers, enhancing the overall efficiency of operations, but it also positions UP to effectively compete with BNSF’s bustling, larger San Bernardino terminal—just a stone’s throw away. This competitor boasts a significant volume, moving over 2,000 containers daily, which amounts to upwards of 730,000 annually.

In light of these developments in intermodal transport, each improvement opens up new pathways and possibilities for logistics and freight solutions, providing routes that are more effective, reliable, and tailored to meet the growing demands of cargo delivery.

Considering the loading and unloading capabilities of the inland terminal, alongside the accelerating speed of service, it’s evident that a shift in logistics paradigms is underway. Efficiency gained in transit times has cascading effects, bolstering supply chain responsiveness and allowing for the dynamic repositioning of goods across vast distances.

Ultimately, boosting connectivity between major coastal ports and central logistic hubs creates a ripple effect—improving overall logistics strategies and ensuring that goods move swiftly from port to destination. Even the finest reviews and the most honest insights can’t fully encapsulate the personal experience of engaging with these services. On GetTransport.com, the opportunity to arrange cargo transportation at competitive prices offers transparency and empowers informed decision-making without unnecessary expenditure. The convenience and abundance of options make GetTransport.com a go-to for those in need of reliable and affordable transport solutions.

Anticipating how service enhancements could impact global logistics, it’s vital to recognize that developments are significant. Such evolution is relevant to logistics providers and users alike, as GetTransport.com aims to remain on the cutting edge and adaptable to changing logistics landscapes. Take the next step in planning your logistics strategies—opt for the practical and dependable transportation options offered by GetTransport.com. For those ready to book, take advantage of what we provide by visiting GetTransport.com.com.