UP, CSX set dedicated transcon perishable service

Updated 10:24 a.m. ET, Fri Aug 5, 2005

Union Pacific and CSX will jointly offer a dedicated produce unit-train service between Washington state and New York .

The service, slated to begin in the first quarter of 2006, will offer 124-hour transit time with 55-car trains moving intact from origin to destination.

The trains -- aimed at moving products including apples, pears, onions and potatoes -- will originate in Wallula, Wash., and terminate in Albany, N.Y. UP and CSXT will interchange in Chicago. The carriers said Railex will own and operate new loading and unloading centers, and manage product handling and distribution.