Union Pacific Railroad planning “truck competitive” intermodal service from SoCal to Chicago

The Union Pacific Railroad is planning the launch of a “truck competitive” intermodal service between Southern California and Chicago starting next month. 

Union Pacific Railroad acquired Norfolk Southern Corporation earlier this summer in a deal that has created America’s first true transcontinental railroad. With this new expanded and fully connected rail road, Union Pacific plans to launch a “truck competitive” domestic intermodal service connecting Southern California’s Inland Empire and inner Chicago. 

The company plans to begin the new intermodal service on September 3rd to directly connect Union Pacific’s Inland Empire Intermodal Terminal (IEIT) to Chicago’s Global 2 Intermodal Terminal. The service will reportedly create a 20% faster intermodal service as compared to current industry offerings between the two locations – which typically experience a three day transit. The service will initially be offered five days a week with room to expand service days as demand grows. 

“As we continue expanding IEIT, this service will deliver consistent, reliable and truck-competitive transportation, challenging the norms of over-the-road shipping and competing head-to-head with team driver truck services,” said Kenny Rocker, executive vice president-Marketing and Sales for Union Pacific Railroad, in a press release.

The new “truck competitive” service is a part of Union Pacific’s Z train network, which is aimed at offering the fastest delivery for freight that is time sensitive.