Transload Services
Access the Benefits of Rail Without Your Own Track
BNSF transload partners help connect your business to rail, making it easier to lower costs, expand reach and ship without a rail-served facility.
BNSF transload partners help connect your business to rail, making it easier to lower costs, expand reach and ship without a rail-served facility.
BNSF Transload
Jim Lewis
Senior Director, Transload
Jim Lewis
Senior Director, Transload
Meet your transload experts
Our transload specialists work with businesses across a wide range of industries to develop practical transportation solutions. Whether you're expanding into new markets, optimizing your supply chain or exploring rail service for the first time, we're here to help.
Benefits
Access rail without onsite track
Use rail transportation without investing in private track infrastructure or a rail-served facility. BNSF's network of transload partners helps connect truck and rail service, making it easier to incorporate rail into your supply chain.
Flexible transportation options
Combine the long-haul efficiency of rail with the convenience of local truck service to create a transportation solution that fits your business needs.
Expanded your reach
Access a network of 400+ transload facilities that can help connect your business to new markets, suppliers and distribution opportunities across the BNSF network.
Ship heavier loads farther while helping reduce transportation costs through rail-enabled solutions.
Transload 101
Learn how transload solutions connect shipments to the rail network, extending the benefits of rail transportation to more businesses and locations.
The Origin Point
Transload shipping begins when products are transported by truck to a nearby transload facility. There, shipments are transferred into railcars, helping businesses without direct rail access connect to the BNSF network.
The Origin Point
Transload shipping begins when products are transported by truck to a nearby transload facility. There, shipments are transferred into railcars, helping businesses without direct rail access connect to the BNSF network.
Long-Distance by Rail
The railcar travels across the BNSF network, often covering hundreds or thousands of miles. Depending on the shipment's route, it may move through rail yards where railcars are organized and routed before continuing toward a transload facility near its final destination.
The Final Destination
The railcar arrives at a transload facility near the receiver, where products are unloaded and transferred to a truck for final delivery. Once empty, the railcar is returned to service, helping keep shipments moving across the network.
The Final Destination
The railcar arrives at a transload facility near the receiver, where products are unloaded and transferred to a truck for final delivery. Once empty, the railcar is returned to service, helping keep shipments moving across the network.
Looking for a transload provider? Our network of Premier Transloaders offers a wide range of services, including cross-docking, storage, load consolidation and inventory management.
Facilities
Which transload facility Is right for your business?
Dimensional
Designed for oversized and long products such as lumber, steel, rebar and machinery. Common railcar types include flatcars, gondolas and centerbeams.
Designed for oversized and long products such as lumber, steel, rebar and machinery. Common railcar types include flatcars, gondolas and centerbeams.
Warehouse
Warehouse facilities provide rail-to-warehouse unloading and storage capabilities. Many specialize in products shipped in boxcars, including building products, paper and consumer goods.
Warehouse facilities provide rail-to-warehouse unloading and storage capabilities. Many specialize in products shipped in boxcars, including building products, paper and consumer goods.
Bulk
Built for dry and liquid bulk products, these facilities transfer commodities such as plastic pellets, flour, minerals, cement, acids and ethanol between truck and rail.
Built for dry and liquid bulk products, these facilities transfer commodities such as plastic pellets, flour, minerals, cement, acids and ethanol between truck and rail.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Do I need rail access at my facility to use transload?
No. One of the key benefits of transload is that you don't need rail service directly at your location. A transload facility can transfer your products between rail and truck, helping you take advantage of rail's reach and efficiency while still delivering to facilities without rail access.
When does transloading make sense?
Transloading makes sense when you want to use rail but don't have rail access at your facility, need greater supply chain flexibility, or are looking for a cost-effective way to move freight. By combining rail and truck transportation, transloading can help connect your business to more markets and transportation options.
What products can be transloaded?
Transload facilities support a wide range of products and commodities. If you're unsure whether your shipment is a good fit for transload, BNSF can help evaluate your transportation needs and connect you with a provider that offers the appropriate equipment, services and handling capabilities.
Do I need rail access at my facility to use transload?
No. One of the key benefits of transload is that you don't need rail service directly at your location. A transload facility can transfer your products between rail and truck, helping you take advantage of rail's reach and efficiency while still delivering to facilities without rail access.
When does transloading make sense?
Transloading makes sense when you want to use rail but don't have rail access at your facility, need greater supply chain flexibility, or are looking for a cost-effective way to move freight. By combining rail and truck transportation, transloading can help connect your business to more markets and transportation options.
What products can be transloaded?
Transload facilities support a wide range of products and commodities. If you're unsure whether your shipment is a good fit for transload, BNSF can help evaluate your transportation needs and connect you with a provider that offers the appropriate equipment, services and handling capabilities.