What is Intermodal?

Intermodal is a shipping method in which more than one mode of transport is used. The freight may be moved in Containers and Trailers (dry or refrigerated), Specialized Flatbeds, or Tank Containers.

Types of Freight Typically Shipped via Intermodal

Types of Goods Typically Shipped via Intermodal

Common Alternative Names of Intermodal

• BNSF invested $3.9 billion of capital into its network in 2012.
• BNSF Intermodal trains can travel up to 1,000 miles a day.
• BNSF is the only railway with direct service between the West Coast and Atlanta.
• BNSF carried nearly 4.6 million intermodal shipments in 2011.

Did You Know?

• BNSF invested $3.9 billion of capital into its network in 2012.
• BNSF Intermodal trains can travel up to 1,000 miles a day.
• BNSF is the only railway with direct service between the West Coast and Atlanta.
• BNSF carried nearly 4.6 million intermodal shipments in 2011.
• BNSF handles more intermodal shipments than any other Class I railroad.
• Intermodal represents nearly 50% of BNSF’s business portfolio by volume.
• BNSF handled 100% of the 2011 intermodal volume growth in the western U.S.
• Intermodal trains are twice as fuel efficient as trucks.
• A typical intermodal train takes the equivalent of 280 trucks off the highways.
• BNSF Intermodal serves more than 8,000 shippers a year.
• BNSF ships more than 40 million packages for UPS between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Right now, 300 BNSF Intermodal trains are carrying the equivalent of 50,000 truckloads.
• BNSF moves nearly a million shipments a year of LTL, parcel and perishable produce.
• 18 of the top 20 global ocean carriers rely on BNSF Intermodal to reach inland markets.
• BNSF Intermodal loads the equivalent of a trailer or container every 7 seconds.
• 98% of top U.S. importers have facilities within 200 miles of a BNSF Intermodal facility.