CSX and BNSF Launch New Coast-to-Coast Intermodal Services, Enhancing National Freight Connectivity
Two of North America’s leading freight railroads, CSX Corporation and BNSF Railway, have announced a major strategic collaboration that will reshape the landscape of domestic and international rail transportation. Together, they are launching a suite of new intermodal service products designed to provide seamless, coast-to-coast shipping solutions across the United States.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of intermodal freight transport. By combining their networks and operational strengths, CSX and BNSF aim to offer customers increased flexibility, greater efficiency, and improved transit times. These new service offerings are designed to support shippers looking for dependable alternatives to highway transportation and meet rising demand for sustainable, long-haul freight solutions.
New Domestic and International Intermodal Services Unveiled
At the core of this initiative is the introduction of several new intermodal routes and operational enhancements, specifically targeting high-volume shipping corridors between the western and eastern U.S. These services are poised to improve connectivity, reduce reliance on long-haul trucking, and support environmentally sustainable logistics strategies.
1. Direct Domestic Intermodal Services: Southern California to the Southeast
The centerpiece of the new service offering is the launch of direct domestic intermodal routes connecting Southern California with two major Southeastern markets: Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida.
These services will provide rail customers with an alternative to long-haul trucking, offering competitive transit times and a more sustainable mode of transport. By streamlining operations between CSX and BNSF, customers can expect seamless service with fewer handoffs, improved reliability, and simplified logistics coordination.
2. Phoenix, Arizona to Atlanta, Georgia Service Aimed at Truck Conversion
Another key addition to the intermodal portfolio is a new service between Phoenix, Arizona, and Atlanta, Georgia—two fast-growing logistics hubs. This service is specifically designed to convert over-the-road (OTR) freight to rail, addressing the growing need for efficient and sustainable alternatives to trucking.
By leveraging both railroads’ strengths in their respective territories, the Phoenix–Atlanta route offers a compelling new option for shippers moving freight over long distances. The goal is to capture freight traditionally moved by truck and offer a rail alternative that maintains speed while reducing emissions, congestion, and overall cost.
3. Expanded International Intermodal Services: Connecting Ports to the Midwest
In a move to further strengthen supply chain integration, CSX and BNSF are also introducing new direct international intermodal services between key East Coast ports and the Midwest. This includes connections from the Port of New York and New Jersey and the Port of Norfolk, Virginia, to Kansas City—a major freight hub and distribution center.
This offering will facilitate the inland movement of containerized goods arriving at Eastern ports, giving importers and exporters a new level of efficiency and choice. The enhanced port connectivity helps alleviate congestion at more traditional West Coast gateways and gives shippers more routing flexibility in today’s complex global logistics environment.
Infrastructure Investments to Support Growing Demand
To support the anticipated growth along these corridors, infrastructure investments are already underway. Notably, BNSF is adding two new 10,000-foot sidings between Phoenix and Flagstaff, Arizona. These sidings will enhance capacity and operational efficiency along BNSF’s high-volume Southern Transcon route—one of the most critical freight corridors in the U.S.
These upgrades will allow for more efficient meet/pass operations, minimizing delays and increasing the fluidity of train movements in a region that continues to see rising demand for intermodal services. The investment reflects both railroads’ commitment to ensuring service reliability and preparing for future growth in freight volumes.
Railroad Leaders Highlight the Importance of Strategic Collaboration
Executives from both CSX and BNSF emphasized the significance of this partnership, not only in terms of operational efficiency but also in delivering long-term value for customers navigating increasingly complex supply chains.
“This collaboration between BNSF and CSX demonstrates the power of partnership, delivering greater flexibility, efficiency and value for our customers,” said Jon Gabriel, BNSF’s 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.”
“Through this new connectivity, CSX and BNSF are connecting Western and Eastern U.S. markets, creating faster, more reliable service,” said Drew Johnson, Vice President of Intermodal Sales and Marketing at CSX. “Together, we’re opening access to key markets and strengthening options for our mutual customers.”
Their remarks underscore a shared vision: a more integrated, efficient, and customer-focused rail network that responds directly to market needs.
A Strategic Move for the Future of Freight
The rail industry is currently undergoing a transformation driven by shifting supply chain demands, heightened environmental concerns, and the need for more reliable long-haul solutions. This partnership between CSX and BNSF is a forward-thinking response to these challenges, positioning both railroads to serve as critical enablers of 21st-century logistics.
In particular, the services aim to:
- Provide faster coast-to-coast transit options: By minimizing interchange delays and aligning schedules, shippers can enjoy expedited movement of goods across the country.
- Encourage truck-to-rail conversion: Reducing highway congestion and emissions while offering competitive service levels.
- Support port diversification strategies: Helping shippers shift cargo away from overburdened West Coast gateways and utilize East Coast ports for Midwest-bound freight.
- Enhance network efficiency: Leveraging existing infrastructure while investing in new capacity to support growth.
As businesses face ongoing challenges such as driver shortages, fuel price volatility, and environmental regulations, intermodal rail emerges as an increasingly attractive solution. The new CSX–BNSF services offer not just operational value but also strategic options for companies seeking to future-proof their supply chains.
Customer-Centric Service With Immediate Benefits
Perhaps most important is the immediate impact these services are expected to have on customers. The new routes and connections are designed with customer needs in mind—focusing on transit time, reliability, and ease of doing business.
By providing more direct routing options, reducing handoffs, and investing in supporting infrastructure, CSX and BNSF are aiming to simplify logistics planning and reduce variability in supply chain operations.
“These new, customer-focused service products will offer immediate value for customers by increasing flexibility and optionality, while delivering integrated service for freight moving across the U.S.,” the companies said in a joint statement.
The launch of these new intermodal services by CSX and BNSF represents a significant step toward a more unified and efficient freight rail system in North America. With a focus on customer needs, infrastructure investment, and sustainable growth, the partnership sets a new standard for what is possible in long-distance freight transport.
By strengthening connections between the East and West, offering alternatives to road freight, and creating new routes between ports and inland hubs, CSX and BNSF are not just responding to the market—they’re shaping the future of logistics.
For shippers looking for dependable, sustainable, and streamlined coast-to-coast transportation, the new CSX–BNSF intermodal offerings promise to deliver on all fronts.