CSX and BNSF Partner to Offer New Coast-to-Coast Intermodal Services

CSX and BNSF Railway have partnered to offer new intermodal services connecting the east and west coasts of the US. The new services include routes between Southern California and Charlotte, Jacksonville, Phoenix and Atlanta. The aim is to convert over-the-road freight to rail and improve efficiency. Further details will be announced soon.

In a significant move aimed at enhancing freight connectivity and efficiency, CSX Corporation and BNSF Railway have announced a strategic partnership to introduce new intermodal services connecting the eastern and western coasts of the United States. The partnership, announced on July 22, 2025, includes direct domestic intermodal services between key markets such as Southern California and Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida [1][2][3].

The new services are designed to convert over-the-road (OTR) freight to rail, thereby improving efficiency and reducing congestion on highways. A key aspect of this partnership is the introduction of a new service between Phoenix, Arizona, and Atlanta, Georgia, which aims to tap into the growing Southwest-Southeast freight corridors where rail has historically had limited penetration [3].

Infrastructure improvements are also part of the strategic partnership. Two new 10,000-foot sidings between Phoenix and Flagstaff will support efficient operations on BNSF's Southern Transcon route, enhancing network fluidity and terminal throughput [3]. This infrastructure enhancement signals BNSF's commitment to handling increased volume through this corridor.

The partnership also includes new direct international intermodal services connecting the Port of New York and New Jersey, Norfolk, Virginia, and Kansas City. These services aim to create a more efficient supply chain for containerized imports, capitalizing on the ongoing shift of container traffic to East Coast ports following pandemic-related West Coast congestion issues [3].

For shippers, these new services offer compelling alternatives to long-haul trucking, potentially providing cost savings and carbon footprint reductions. For the railroads, this represents an opportunity to grow high-margin intermodal business at a time when traditional rail carload traffic faces pressure from economic uncertainties.

The collaboration between CSX and BNSF is a significant strategic development in the North American rail industry. By establishing new intermodal services connecting key markets, the railroads are positioning themselves to capture substantial over-the-road freight volume and enhance service efficiency.

Further details about each of these new services will be announced soon, providing more insight into the specifics of the partnership and its expected benefits for customers and the industry as a whole.

References:
[1] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/csx-corporation-and-bnsf-announce-new-intermodal-services-offering-seamless-coast-to-coast-rail-sol-ce7c50dbd98cf325
[2] https://www.reuters.com/business/bnsf-csx-launch-new-us-coast-to-coast-linking-boost-freight-services-2025-08-22/
[3] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/CSX/csx-bnsf-announce-new-intermodal-services-offering-seamless-coast-to-m8aec29k1upy.html