Update: BNSF, CSX railroads announce intermodal freight alliance

However, Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway, owns BNSF told CSX officials the company wasn't interested in acquiring the East Coast and Southern US  line. That led to an agreement to offer coast-to-coast intermodal freight service. 

The four railroads account for a large chunk of rail freight service in the nation with critics and some shippers claiming the consolidation has reduced competition and limited investments in track and equipment in the pursuit of earnings.

Railroads have responded in social media and other areas by touting construction projects aimed at improving service.

The alliance does not directly affect Delaware, which is served CSX. Norfolk Southern serves the Port of Wilmington. The CSX-BNSF transcontinental routes run to Virginia and New York ports.

CSX is a publicly traded company. CSX has been under pressure from an activist shareholder to improve its earnings.

Intermodal trains that carry truck trailers and shipping containers long distances are nothing new. However, railroads have struggled with delays and back-ups in yards. The delays also affect long-distance  Amtrak passenger service.

The back-ups  have limited efforts to divert truck traffic to railroads, which promote  their  fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

New services from the railroads will include:

• The introduction of new, coast-to-coast, direct domestic intermodal services between Southern California and Charlotte  and Jacksonville, FL.
• In addition, a new service will also be launched between Phoenix and Atlanta, aiming to convert over-the-road trucking  to rail through a "seamless product between the two railroads."
• The introduction of new direct international intermodal services between the Port of New York and New Jersey, and Norfolk, Virginia, and Kansas City. 

In  Phoenix and Flagstaff, two new 10,000-foot sidings will  support a growing market by enabling more efficient meet/pass operations. Today's trains are often a mile long and can't use shorter sidings.

“This collaboration between BNSF and CSX demonstrates the power of partnership, delivering greater flexibility, efficiency and value for our customers,” said BNSF Group vice president of Consumer Products Jon Gabriel. We are looking forward to these offerings providing immediate, streamlined service to the supply chain across key markets nationwide.”

“Through this new connectivity, CSX and BNSF are connecting Western and Eastern U.S. markets, creating faster, more reliable service,” said Drew Johnson, vice president, Intermodal Sales and Marketing at CSX. “Together, we’re opening access to key markets and strengthening options for our mutual customers. ”