If you’re a fan of charcuterie boards, you know there is something magical that happens when meat, cheese, nuts, fruit, jams and spreads all unite on one platter. With a congregation of savory and sweet indulgences, it’s no wonder they are so popular.
But how do charcuterie boards come together? Long before the cheese is sliced and meat is twirled into eye-catching blossoms, the products on a meat and cheese tray often begin their journey to your table inside of a rail car. Take this quiz to find out which ones ship by rail.
Why Ship Meat, Dairy Products, Produce and Other Fresh, Refrigerated, Frozen and Packaged Goods by Rail?
- Cost savings. On average, rail shipping offers a lower cost per ton mile than truck. Because one rail car can carry the same amount of product as 3-4 trucks, shipping by train offers economies of scale that help shippers save.
- Equipment. Temperature-sensitive foods ship by rail in refrigerated boxcars to maintain cold chain integrity. Union Pacific recently developed a new state-of-the-art refrigerated boxcar to keep refrigerated shipments cold.
- Product safety. Perishable goods must be kept at optimal temperatures to maintain the cold chain. Union Pacific has experienced professionals whose sole focus it is to ensure shipment quality and prevent damage to fresh, frozen and refrigerated goods.
- Environmental benefits. Rail is the most environmentally responsible way to ship freight by land. On average, U.S freight railroads can move one ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel, making trains up to four times more fuel efficient than trucks. That means moving freight by rail instead of truck reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%.
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Are you interested in shipping by rail? Answer a few questions and we can help you get started.
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