Motor Carrier Intermodal
Product Overview and Coverage
The Motor Carrier Program is an intermodal product that will enhance the way you do business with your customers. Our program will allow you to utilize your private trailers in rail service or supplement your fleet with quality EMP containers. The rail intermodal option will allow you to offer your less time sensitive customers a shipping solution that saves you dollars and builds customer loyalty. The Motor Carrier Program focuses on Union Pacific's premium Intermodal lanes.
Our domestic coverage extends to those lanes that provide truck competitive service. Service offerings are focused on our highest performing service lanes.
Intermodal Service Schedules detail UP transit times, drop-off, and availability at the various ramps around our network. Our Intermodal Ramps page contains detailed maps and directions to our facilities.
If you're looking for seamless North American continental transportation, Union Pacific operates an extensive rail system with routes from select major cities west of the Mississippi River. In addition, Union Pacific interchanges to the Eastern U.S. railroads at major gateways as well as connecting Canadian railroads
Features
- Access to premium Intermodal service lanes
- Dedicated Intermodal Web site to make shipping by rail and tracking your business simple and hassle-free
- Support for utilization of your private equipment or UP’s EMP domestic box program
- Reliable customer support provided by our Regional Sales Team and the National Customer Service Center
Open an Account
Opening an account with the Union Pacific provides access to ramps, allows for the interchange of equipment and establishes the method by which you choose to settle your account. Contact your Union Pacific Representative or access all the forms on this page that you will need.
All carriers must have a Uniform Interchange & Facilities Access Agreement. This will enable you to enter our facilities as well as our partner railroads across the country.
If you choose to use our EMP containers as part of your own network, you will need to establish an account with Rez-1. Rez-1 enables you to make reservations for containers. Our equipment specifications are comparable to your own. Both containers and rail trailers are maintained to a high quality standard.
Union Pacific extends credit with appropriate documentation. You need to submit a credit application and establish your method of payment. We also have the ability to provide you with a secure online account management tool that is powered by Mellon Bank.
e-Business Solutions
Intermodal business is unique, dynamic and extremely time sensitive. In order to keep abreast of this rapidly changing business, shippers need to use every tool at their disposal to manage the transit cycle.
At Union Pacific Railroad, we recognize these requirements and have developed a wide variety of e-business solutions to address your needs. They encompass direct EDI connectivity, as well as web-enabled transactions that allow you to generate Bills of Lading, trace your loads, and generate customized reports.
Once your account is active you will need a way to keep tender loads, track and trace your equipment and communicate with Union Pacific. We have established 
to interact with you on a secure level. Simply register, and select Intermodal as your preferred view and you will have access to powerful tools online. If you require personal assistance, our customer service center is open 24/7 and has bi-lingual personnel available.
Q & A
What do I need to pickup or deliver equipment (trailer or container) at a Union Pacific ramp?
To pickup or deliver equipment (private or rail owned) at a Union Pacific ramp you will need to have a current Interchange agreement (Uniform Interchange & Facilities Access Agreement) with Union Pacific.
For EMP containers, you will also need to sign up for the program to reserve equipment through REZ1, an independent agent that handles reservations and per diem billing.
Before we tender a load to Union Pacific can we have an onsite ramp visit?
Yes, in fact we encourage you to come an learn more about our ramp operations and how we do business. Contact your Union Pacific Representative to set-up a tour.
Are lift pads required on private equipment?
Yes. Pads should be installed to protect the bottom rail and crossmembers. See AAR Specification M-931, Sections 5.2 through 5.2.4 for dimensions and placement guidelines.
What is meant by cutoff time?
All of the service schedules shown in show cutoff time and availability. Cutoff is the time your equipment physically has to be in our ramp for it to catch the outbound train going to your destination city. Availability is the time your equipment is (actually) available to you for pickup.
What are the steps to take when picking up units at a Union Pacific ramp?
You will be sent a Van Notification (VN) communicaiton informing you your unit is ready to be picked up. You must have a pickup number, available via our secure Web site or via voice activated IVR phone. You need to show proof of UIIA Interchange with Union Pacific. You should inspect the unit for any damage, missing seal, flat tires, etc., reporting any incident to our ramp Gatehouse personnel.