"Cold Train"
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Frozen raspberries being loaded onto a "Cold Train"
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Project Facts
- The 2003 Legislature passed the Produce Railcar Pool law, which allows WSDOT to create and operate such a pool if external capital was provided.
- Older 57-foot refrigerated railcars are aging and being taken out of service.
- Types of produce shipped through this program: frozen fruit-75%; frozen potatoes/other vegetables-15%; fresh onions or potatoes-9%; and frozen seafood-1%.
July 2008
Washington Produce Railcar Pool usage is showing positive growth. For the 12-month period ending June 30, 2008, a total of 230 carloads were shipped. Program utilization was 79% in June.
Why is WSDOT
establishing a pool of refrigerated railcars for Washington's agricultural community?
There is a shortage of refrigerated railcars, leaving Washington growers with an inadequate supply during peak seasons.
The End Result
A pool of refrigerated railcars will be available for Washington's agricultural community.
Project Benefits
- Rebuilt refrigerated railcars will be available to shippers for the 2006-2009 seasons.
- Railcars minimize the added wear and tear on state roadways caused each year by thousands of heavy truckloads.
What is the project timeline?
On August 18, 2006, WSDOT signed a contract with Rail Logistics, LC to lease up to 50 refrigerated railcars and to manage the fleet. This contract expires in June 2009.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Please contact the WSDOT State Rail and Marine Office for more information.
WSDOT continues to work with port districts, county governments, and rail-dependent shippers to collaborate on how to preserve freight rail service for now and in the future.
Environmental Protection
Shipping by rail is, on average, three times more fuel-efficient than truck transportation. Air quality will improve by diverting hundreds of annual truckload shipments to more fuel-efficient trains. Environmentally sound construction processes will be used in constructing the project.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Using rail to divert potentially hundreds of big truck hauls each year from eastern Washington over Snoqualmie Pass to Puget Sound ports will result in safer highways.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
No project-related tribal resource impacts have yet been identified. WSDOT will address the concerns of tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- Federal funds - $1.984 million
- State funds 2005-2015 - $200,000
- Total Funding From All Sources - $2.184 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Jeff Schultz
Operations and Rolling Stock Manager
State Rail and Marine Office
PO Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98504-7407
Phone: 360.705.7981
E-mail: Jeff Schultz
Rail Logistics, LC. is managing the railcars for this project. For ordering information, contact Mike Begnaud at 913.491.0050.
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