Services
Our superior intermodal network speeds goods 20 percent faster than the next leading intermodal provider, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Our door-to-door consistency is at 97 percent.
Two service options are available:
FAST | Expedited Service
- Fastest intermodal service in the industry
- Trailer and container domestic only
- Average 800 miles per day*
VALUE | Standard Service**
- Sustainable solution for price sensitive shippers
- Container Only, International and Domestic
- Average 600 miles per day*
BNSF Intermodal Service Tools
Review BNSF's Intermodal Service Schedules Summaries
Other Service Information
California to Northeast (BNSF-NS) Brochure
Prices
Pricing Contacts
BNSF intermodal prices are issued on a contract basis. To obtain a rate for shipping domestic trailers and containers (intermodal), please contact:
| Area | Name | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| New customers | Intermodal | |
| Motor carriers (truckload) | Terry Dupuy | Tel: 817-867-6567 |
| Intermodal marketing companies | Brian Johnston | Tel: 817-867-6957 |
| Debbi Thill | Tel: 817-867-6951 |
Pricing Tools and Resources
Intermodal Advisor
Find out how to lower your transportation costs.
Customs Fees
Surcharges for Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) inspects.
**Formerly known as Premium Service.
BNSF's intermodal network is made up of some of the largest and most modern intermodal hub facilities in the industry — facilities that are designed to move your shipments across the BNSF system faster than ever before.
Find out where the BNSF intermodal facilities are located or print the Intermodal Facility Guide .
- Intermodal High-Level Map
Intermodal facilities overview. - Intermodal Detailed Map
Intermodal network and highways map.
Facility Policies
Driver and Parking Guide
Driver in-gate and general parking procedures.
Regions Domestic and Regions International
Represents BNSF intermodal hubs and groupings in contractual agreements.
Facilities Information and Resource Management (FIRM) codes
Resource information.
| BNSF intermodal facilities | FIRM codes |
|---|---|
| Alliance, TX - 1111 Intermodal Parkway | T926 |
| Atlanta (Fairburn), GA - 6700 McLarin Rd. | O083 |
| Birmingham, AL - 401 Finley Blvd. | P170 |
| Cicero, IL - 26th Street | J791 |
| Corwith, IL - 3526 W. 43rd St. | I145 |
| Denver, CO - 585 W. 53rd Place | H096 |
| Dilworth, MN - 311 Second Ave. SE | H270 |
| El Paso, TX - 805 S. Santa Fe St. | S390 |
| Houston, TX - 214 Brisbane Rd. | S639 |
| Kansas City, KS - 720 S 38th St. | J177 |
| Los Angeles, CA - 4000 E. Sheila Street, Bldg 39 | Y386 |
| Logistics Park Chicago, IL - 26664 S. Baseline Rd. | H572 |
| Memphis, TN - 4814 Lamar Ave. | P486 |
| New Orleans, LA - 539 Bridge City Ave. | Q819 |
| Omaha, NE - 4370 Gibson Rd. | H397 |
| Oakland International Gateway, CA - 333 Maritime St. | Z944 |
| Phoenix, AZ - 5281 Tom Murray Rd. | Y386 |
| Portland, OR - 3930 NW Yeon | X086 |
| Seattle (International Gateway - SIG), WA - 44 S. Hanford | Y498 |
| S. Seattle, WA - 12400 51st Pl. S. | Y371 |
| Spokane, WA - 1800 N. Dickey | Y799 |
| St. Louis, MO - 3500 Wellington Ave. | J300 |
| St. Paul, MN - 1701 Pierce Butler Rt. | J828 |
| Stockton, CA - 6540 Austin Rd. | W675 |
Need to locate your distribution center near a BNSF intermodal facility?
Please select equipment from the drop down.
Containers
A container is a weatherproof box designed for bulk shipment of freight. Domestic containers come in 45 feet, 48 feet and 53 feet in length. Ocean containers come in 20 feet and 40 feet in length. They are designed for all modes of intermodal transport.
See information on intermodal railcars.
Intermodal Railcars
The most common intermodal container railcars that BNSF uses in intermodal transportation are shown below.
3 Well Double-Stack Car (There are also one and five well railcars)
Conventional Intermodal Car
Trailers
A trailer is a weatherproof box with permanent wheels designed for bulk shipment of freight on rail, highway or combination of both. Trailers come in 45 feet, 48 feet and 53 feet in length.
See information on intermodal railcars.
Intermodal Railcars
The most common intermodal container railcars that BNSF uses in intermodal transportation are shown below.
3 Well Double-Stack Car (There are also one and five well railcars)
Conventional Intermodal Car
Oversize and Non-Standard Intermodal Equipment
An Intermodal shipment greater than 8’6 wide and 13’6 high is considered Dimensional or Non-Standard Equipment. In general, with proper information and approvals (defined below), BNSF Intermodal can handle shipments up to 11’ wide and 15’ high.
Any shipment greater than 11’ wide and 15’ high (17’ above top of rail) must follow the Carload Dimensional Process and move in manifest service (not to/from an Intermodal Hub).
Shipment Information
Complete the form on your Dimensional or Non-Standard Equipment shipment.
Please provide the following information on your Dimensional or Non-Standard Equipment shipment. This information will ensure we can safely lift and handle the oversized shipment at the origin and destination hubs. You should receive confirmation from your Marketing Representative within 5 to 7 business days.
All required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
Obtain Special Price Authority
Once approvals are received, your Marketing Representative will provide an Intermodal Special Price Authority.
Shipping Instructions
When submitting the Shipping Instructions, state the shipment is Dimensional or Non-Standard Equipment, special price authority, actual commodity description (along with all the required elements as stated in the BNSF Intermodal Rules and Policies Guide, Item 7: Shipping Instructions).
Tendering Shipment
When tendering an Oversized shipment, it will be placed on Hold (LSHold) for Mechanical and Clearance Inspections. Inspections may take up to 2-3 business days.
Contacts
| Area | Name | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical - Tie Down | Scott VanGosen | Tel: 913-551-4614 |
| Intermodal Hubs Ops | Barry Russell | Tel: 817-867-6388 |
| Load and Ride Solutions (LARS) | LARS Contacts Intermodal Loading Guide |
|
| AAR Publications | AAR Open Top Rules Other AAR Updates |
Tel: 877-999-8824 |
| Carload High/Wide Clearance | Carload High Wide Contacts |
Don't own your own equipment?
BNSF has partners with intermodal carriers to provide containers or trailers if you do not own your own equipment. In addition to providing equipment, these partners (or carriers) can assist with moving individual or multiple shipments, including interline traffic and complete door-to-door movement by arranging equipment, waybilling (shipping instructions), draying, tracing, etc. For more information, contact a BNSF sales representative.
If you do own your own equipment, please review the information below:
Loading and shipment safety
Loading assistance and information.
Intermodal Loading Guide
Guidelines to properly load contents into equipment for intermodal transportation.
Extended equipment use and services
Intermodal storage.
Prohibited hazardous commodities
Prohibited commodities in some equipment.
Neutral chassis pools
Chassis available for rent.
At various Intermodal facilities, Neutral Chassis Pools are available for your use. See the table below for BNSF locations and pool operator contact information. To utilize Neutral Pool Chassis, a Chassis Use Agreement with the pool operator is required. Equipment rental charges are the responsibility of the user. Twenty (20'), forty (40'), and forty-five (45') foot chassis are available.
| BNSF Intermodal Facility | Pool | Vendor Leasing Co | Equipment Initials | Pick up and return chassis to the same facility unless noted | Vendor Name | Vendor Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance, TX | GCCP | CCM | Monty Falls | Tel: 713-675-0600 | ||
| Birmingham, AL | SACP | CCM | Ken Tock | Tel: 813-746-5337 | ||
| Chicago, IL | COCP | CCM | Chris Davis | Tel: 847-346-0975 | ||
| Cicero, IL | COCP | CCM | Chris Davis | Tel: 847-346-0975 | ||
| Denver, CO | DCCP | CCM | Allen Youngs | Tel: 303-293-0103 | ||
| El Paso, TX | GCCP | CCM | Monty Falls | Tel: 713-675-0600 | ||
| Houston, TX | GCCP | CCM | Monty Falls | Tel: 713-675-0600 | ||
| Kansas City, KS | MWCP | CCM | Robert Kline | Tel: 816-472-2264 | ||
| Logistics Park, IL | COCP | CCM | Chris Davis | Tel: 847-346-0975 | ||
| Los Angeles, CA | Neutral | Flexi-van | FWAZ | BNSF | Christine Korsak | Tel: 908-276-8000 |
| New Orleans, LA* | GCCP | CCM | Monty Falls | Tel: 713-675-0600 | ||
| Oakland, CA | Neutral | Flexi-van | FORZ | BNSF | Christine Korsak | Tel: 908-276-8000 |
| Omaha, NE | MWCP | CCM | Robert Kline | Tel: 816-472-2264 | ||
| Portland, CA | Neutral | TRAC | TSSZ | BNSF (South Seattle) | Pam Di Meglio | Tel: 609-986-0268 |
| S Seattle, WA | Neutral | TRAC | TSSZ | BNSF (Portland) | Pam Di Meglio | Tel: 609-986-0268 |
| St. Louis, MO* | MWCP | CCM | Robert Kline | Tel: 816-472-2264 | ||
| St. Paul, MN | Neutral | TRAC | TSPZ | BNSF | Pam DiMeglio | Tel: 609-986-0268 |
At some locations, the chassis may be returned to another city or to another railroad's intermodal facility within the same city.
* Private chassis may not be staged at these locations.
Advanced lift technology
Minimize equipment damage.
BNSF has invested in the latest technology to minimize equipment damage. This advanced lift technology features:
- Wider and longer shoes
- Ultra sensors to detect roof damage
The benefits of this technology include:
- Virtually eliminated roof damage
- Faster lift on/lift off with error free lifting
BNSF Locations Using Advanced Technology
- Alliance, TX
- Chicago, IL
- Denver, CO
- Kansas City, KS
- Los Angeles, CA
- Memphis, TN
- Phoenix, AZ
- Portland, OR
- San Bernardino, CA
- South Seattle, WA
- Spokane, WA
- Stockton, CA
- St. Paul, MN
Air ride solutions
Prevents airbag stretching.
BNSF uses a manufacturer-approved, patented wedge device that prevents the airbag from stretching during lift operations. The incident-free air-ride handling BNSF provides has created a new market for air-ride equipment.
BNSF Locations Using Air-Ride Solutions
- Alliance, TX
- Chicago, IL
- Denver, CO
- Kansas City, KS
- Los Angeles, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Portland, OR
- San Bernardino, CA
- South Seattle, WA
- Spokane, WA
- Stockton, CA
- St. Paul, MN
Procedures Information
Current Intermodal Rules and Policies Guide
Historical Intermodal Rules and Policies Guide
General Information
Drayage
Companies offering drayage services.
Commodity Information
Prohibited Hazardous Commodities
Prohibited commodities in some equipment.
Bulk Agricultural Products
Procedures to ship bulk products via intermodal.
Coiled Metal Shipment Policies and Procedures
Procedures to ship coiled metal via intermodal.
Collaboration Increases Jack in the Box's Appetite for Intermodal
Jack in the Box was hungry to increase efficiencies and reduce costs in its supply chain. Through collaboration with BNSF Railway and a 3PL, Jack turned to intermodal to achieve those goals while maintaining the restaurant's high food safety standards.
BNSF Helps Temperature Controlled Carrier Survive, Even in a Chilly Economic Climate
Even during challenging economic times, Marten is growing, hiring new drivers and expanding into new markets, in part because Marten has expanded its relationship with BNSF Intermodal.
PETCO Adopts Intermodal
In a rapidly expanding company, PETCO's transportation network was too complex, too costly and not meting the company's sustainability initiatives. Find out how PETCO was able to reshape its transportation network to realize transportation savings and efficiencies.
Zimmerman Finds cost-effective way to do more with less
Wanting to grow, but having limited drivers and equipment, Zimmerman Truck Lines discovered a cost-effective and efficient solution to its customers' long-haul transportaton needs. Read about their challenges, solution and results to find out how they did it.
Mid-Size Firm adds new customers without a major capital investment
It has never been more important to do more with less. One mid-size trucking firm did exactly that by finding new ways to maximize their fleet of less than 300 trailers. And, it didn't take a major investment in new equipment or technology before turning a profit.
| Area | Name | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| New customers | Intermodal | |
| Motor carriers (truckload) | Terry Dupuy | Tel: 817-867-6567 |
| Lyle Hayes | Tel: 817-867-0805 | |
| Intermodal marketing companies | Brian Johnston | Tel: 817-867-6957 |
| Debbi Thill | Tel: 817-867-6951 | |
| Existing customers, shipment questions | Customer Support | Tel: 888-428-2673, option 4,3 |
Beneficial Cargo Owner Contacts
Territories are based on customer headquarters location, please contact the corresponding industry expert in the contact list below the map:
| Region | Name | Contact | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southwest | Adam Hart | Tel: 714-861-9463 |
| 2 | Northwest | Sabin Reynolds | Tel: 509-979-3462 |
| 3 | DFW Texas | Lance Wingfield | Tel: 817-228-3486 |
| 4 | Central | Lynda Patterson | Tel: 913-416-3724 |
| 5 | Midwest – West | LaToya Benson | Tel: 312-316-6827 |
| 6 | Midwest – East | Gerry Leahy | Tel: 708-305-8970 |
| 7 | Ohio Valley | Michelle Pierce | Tel: 817-694-6713 |
| 8 | Northeast – South | Courtney Little | Tel: 817-876-2752 |
| 9 | Northeast – North | David Clark | Tel: 863-397-9839 |
| 10 | Southeast | David Rehg | Tel: 817-304-4161 |
| 11 | South Central | Jarred Howard | Tel: 682-225-3634 |
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