MARS Keynoter Highlights Intermodal Opportunity for MAFC States
Tue, 01/24/2012The 10 States of the Mid-America Freight Coalition [link to MAFC site] and neighboring Canadian Provinces, are the own best trading partners. Leading-off the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers Winter Meeting 1/11/2012, CSX Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer, Clarence Gooden, highlighted the impending impact and opportunities from the Eastern Class Is investment in double-stack routes linking a network of new and upgraded intermodal terminals. CSX's Northwest Ohio intermodal hub (at North Baltimore) is, perhaps, the outstanding example of state-of-the-art that is making shorter-haul intermodal distribution increasingly competitive. On-rail interchange at Chicago is a challenge. Gooden suggested blocks of 40 or so containers would be sufficient. This is one of the items CCFC will encourage MAFC and its member States to explore with the connecting Class Is and Schneider National which recently extended its truck-rail partnership with CSX. See Wisconsin Central Group's proposed 2012 Joint Projects Initiative.