Edina logistics firm TransCold hatches rail service plan with giant BNSF
The service, known as TransCold Express, is set to launch in April with 50 BNSF refrigerated cars running on lines between California’s Central Valley and the Chicago area. The trains will carry upward of 200 truckloads of fresh and frozen produce and consumer goods weekly, with one railcar equal to four truckloads, according to the company.
Regional truck carriers will extend distribution about 400 miles from McKay-managed hubs at each end, covering Minneapolis, and much of the Midwest and East and West coasts. Plans call for adding a second 50-car train as soon as possible. The service will accept smaller, or less-than-truckload, shipments, helping small companies get their products to new areas.
Moving west, besides eggs, will be such products as frozen pizzas, coffee creamer and cereal bars. Headed east will be produce including carrots, grapes and broccoli along with citrus, cheese and possibly California wine.
Smaller producers particularly stand to benefit from McKay’s ability to ship less-than-truckload quantities, which otherwise could be cost-prohibitive, Southard said.
Source: startribune.com
