Rail Flashcards
What are the pieces of information needed to get the best rail rate? (6)
BCO
origin/destination
domestic/international
size/type of container, is it a high cube?
commodity
volume/number of shipments
What is the price vs. service tradeoff between rail and truck moves?
Price - ~15% cheaper than moving by truck
Service - about 2 days slower
Why can’t railroads provide the same services that a truck can?
Railroads are limited by railway routes, people/labor, rail infrastructure
What is the average circuity of rail vs. truck routes?
East of Mississippi - 22% more rail miles than highway miles
West of Mississippi - 6% more rail miles than highway miles
What is ISO?
International Standards Organization
What’s the difference between carrying capacity between 40’ international ISO containers and 53’ domestic containers?
Capacity:
Domestic 53’ containers have 60% more carrying capacity than 40’ ISO international containers
The entire US rail system has how many miles?
126k
What percentage of US intermodal shipments are domestic vs international?
50/50
What are the key factors when deciding if you should ask for an intermodal rail rate or not?
- multiple shipments over a period of time
- long distance, like cross country
What’s the difference between demurrage and detention?
Demurrage - penalty for container left at the port after the LFD
Detention - daily rate to use the container past the Last Free Time outside of the terminal
How many class 1 railroads in North America?
7
