Intermodal

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Intermodal

Find more options for your supply chain. Gain control over your costs and environmental impact with intermodal (rail) transportation. 

Request an Intermodal Freight Quote Track Your Intermodal Transport in the Customer Portal

TRINITY’S INTERMODAL TRANSPORT SOLUTION 

Our dedicated intermodal rail service experts can help you add value to your overall supply chain by offering this cost- and environmentally-friendly shipping option.  

Through Trinity’s Intermodal Services, We Can Help You:

  • Find reliable and consistent intermodal rail container capacity when over-the-road capacity is tight 
  • Reduce your transportation spend by reducing fuel costs and moving more product – a single train can move a load equal to 280 truckloads! 
  • Keep your freight safe with intermodal shipping – less product handling, fewer accidents, and fewer thefts occur with rail shipping 
  • Reduce your carbon footprint – intermodal shipping is more environmentally-friendly 
  • Gain access to our network of drayage carriers and major railroads in North America through our established relationships with all Class 1 railroads 
  • Add flexibility to your supply chain strategy – we can easily convert your logistics from one mode to another 

Specialized Intermodal Solutions Available 

Temperature-Controlled Intermodal Services 

Whether you need to arrange intermodal transport for fresh produce that requires refrigeration or frozen goods like ice cream, we have logistics experts ready to help you navigate this sector’s complex regulations like FSMA. We’ll ensure your freight arrives on time to maintain its best quality.   

Hazardous Material Intermodal Transport 

Looking to transport your hazardous material or dangerous goods via intermodal? Our dedicated and knowledgeable Team can help you with its strict logistics regulations and ensure your product arrives safe and sound to its required destination.  

When Should I Consider Intermodal Transportation? 

Almost anything that can ship via truckload can be shipped intermodal. Here are some qualifiers on whether your shipments make sense for intermodal: 

  • Your shipment needs to travel more than 750 miles 
  • You are looking to reduce shipping costs 
  • You want to find reliable and consistent capacity 
  • You want to reduce your freight’s risk during travel and have less handling 
  • You want to reduce your carbon footprint by using an environmentally-friendly option 
  • Your shipment isn’t incredibly time-sensitive 
  • You have a lot of freight to move with a flexible timeline 
  • You have frequent shipments going to the same locations in similar quantities 

FAQ's

In North America (and here at Trinity), intermodal shipping often refers to the combination of using trucks and rail to move freight in shipping containers.  

Drayage describes the trucking service from a rail ramp. Drayage carriers pick up and drop off any equipment, including the container and chassis, owned by the railroad.  

Yes! Carriers who move temperature-controlled products by rail are equipped with technology like constant satellite tracking, internal temperature monitoring, and the ability to remotely change the internal temperature of rail containers. You can feel at ease shipping your temperature-controlled freight by rail.  

SPEAK WITH AN INTERMODAL SHIPPING EXPERT

It depends. While we can arrange the shipment of some hazardous materials via rail, it varies based on the classification. To find out if your hazmat freight can be transported by intermodal shipping, contact one of our dedicated intermodal service experts. 

SPEAK WITH AN INTERMODAL SHIPPING EXPERT

Intermodal shipping uses less fuel than trucks, meaning there is a smaller carbon footprint. Intermodal rail shipments are about three times more fuel-efficient – you can move one ton of freight over 400 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel.  

  • Since intermodal transportation depends on efficiency, accessorials are much more common with rail than shipping truckload. Because of this, ensure you understand your provider’s accessorial policy and find out how those fees are factored into their rates.  

Since intermodal transportation depends on efficiency, accessorials are much more common with rail than shipping truckload. Because of this, ensure you understand your provider’s accessorial policy and find out how those fees are factored into their rates.  

When receiving intermodal quotes from Trinity Logistics, we are transparent about potential accessorial fees you may encounter.  

Shippers cannot access intermodal rates directly from railroads. You must work with an intermodal marketing company (IMC) or third-party logistics (3PL) company like Trinity Logistics for your intermodal transportation. Your intermodal marketing company will get pricing matrixes from the seven Class I railroads in North America. These are: 

See what others are saying about Trinity Logistics

Trustpilot is a review platform that’s open to everyone. If you’re curious what it’s like to work with Trinity Logistics, check out some of these recent Trustpilot reviews. 

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MANAGED SOLUTIONS

Trinity Logistics is a Burris Logistics Company, offering people-centric freight solutions.

Our mission is to deliver creative logistics solutions through a dynamic mix of human ingenuity and innovative technology, enriching the lives of those we serve.

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