Source: adapted from T. Prince (2001) “Towards an international intermodal network”, American Shipper, November.

Composition of the North American Intermodal Rail Fleet

An important shift in the composition of the North American intermodal rail fleet took place in the 1990s. The development of long distance corridors linking major port gateways such as Los Angeles / Long Beach to inland destinations incited the setting of double-stacked unit train services. Trailer on Flat Car (TOFC) services that used to dominate have become marginal. The main reason relates to a more efficient usage of rail assets permitted by double-stacked services as well as the commitment of trucking companies to integrate their drayage services with long distance intermodal rail services. What used to be carried as TOFC is now carried as COFC (Container on Flat Car).