BNSF Railway and CSX Transportation have announced a suite of new intermodal service products designed to provide customers with seamless, efficient coast-to-coast freight options across the United States. The move is widely viewed as a direct response to the recently approved merger of Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS), which has reshaped the competitive landscape in the rail freight sector.
New domestic and international services
The new services will include direct domestic intermodal connections between Southern California and Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as Jacksonville, Florida. In addition, a service between Phoenix, Arizona, and Atlanta, Georgia, will target the conversion of over-the-road (OTR) freight to rail through a seamless product operated jointly by the two railroads.
BNSF and CSX also plan to introduce new direct international intermodal services linking the Port of New York and New Jersey, and Norfolk, Virginia, with Kansas City, further expanding options for shippers moving freight between inland hubs and key seaports.
Between Phoenix and Flagstaff, Arizona, two new 10,000-foot sidings will be constructed to support the growing market, enabling more efficient meet/pass operations on the corridor that connects into BNSF’s Southern Transcon, one of the nation’s busiest freight routes.
Strengthening the supply chain
“This collaboration between BNSF and CSX demonstrates the power of partnership, delivering greater flexibility, efficiency and value for our customers,” said Jon Gabriel, BNSF Group Vice President of Consumer Products. “We are looking forward to these offerings providing immediate, streamlined service to the supply chain across key markets nationwide.”
Drew Johnson, Vice President of Intermodal Sales and Marketing at CSX, added: “Through this new connectivity, CSX and BNSF are connecting Western and Eastern U.S. markets, creating faster, more reliable service. Together, we’re opening access to key markets and strengthening options for our mutual customers.”
The timing of the announcement comes shortly after regulators approved the merger of UP and NS, creating one of the largest coast-to-coast rail freight networks in North America. That consolidation has heightened competitive pressures on rival railroads, prompting BNSF and CSX to deepen their own partnership and accelerate the rollout of integrated intermodal offerings.
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