Good planning is a critical component to the success of all transloading operations, especially new ones. Proper planning takes time but needs to involve the shipper, the transload operator, railroad, and the end-user well before the first car is loaded and shipped.
When we are developing new relationships with customers who have relied solely on trucking in the past, the addition of a rail component can seem like the addition of major risk to their supply chain. It’s common that most shippers and end-users need to see that risk is managed from the very beginning of the conversation and throughout the entire process. Much of that risk is managed through understanding the transload process, the specific roles each participant will play, and what the alternatives are if something does not go as planned.
The best way to plan for transloading is through education, excellent communication, and in our role as a railroad: flexibility.