Configuration of a Rail Intermodal Container Terminal

Three major components interact in terminal operations; rail track operations, storage yard operations and gate operations. The purpose is to ensure that each operation interacts efficiently with the other since a delay with one operation will have impact on the others. For instance, a problem with the storage yard operations will create delays both at the rail track and gate operations and have an impact on the terminal productivity and the quality of its services. The above figure is modeled after the Bedford Yard in Chicago, owned by CSX. An intermodal rail container terminal is commonly composed of the following elements, each performing a specific function:

Intermodal yard. The core of the terminal where unit trains are loaded and unloaded by cranes (rubber-tired gantries) or lifts (side-loaders) unto chassis. They can be more than 2 km in length due to the large size of container unit trains (100 cars). In many cases, namely when the yard is of older design, unit trains are broken down in two or more parts, which leaves a midway crossing for the circulation of chassis within the yard (otherwise movements between the storage area and unit trains would be much longer). Containers are brought trackside or to the storage area by hostlers. While older generations of intermodal yards (or those with small volume) worked on a one-to-one basis (one trackside space available for loading or unloading for each car), new intermodal yards tend to operate on a two-to-one basis (one trackside space for loading and one trackside space for unloading). Higher intensity terminals are operated with rail-mounted gantry cranes able to straddle over several tracks (about 8) and are able to use track-side stack piles; therefore part of the storage area is within the intermodal yard.
Storage area. Acts as a buffer between the road system (drayage) and the intermodal yard. It often covers an area similar in size than the intermodal yard as modern rail intermodal yards are heavy consumers of space. Unlike a maritime terminal, it is uncommon that containers will be stacked in an intermodal yard, with the exception of empties that are kept in a specific part of the yard and often as an off-site empty container depot. Containers are simply left stored on a chassis, waiting to be picked up for delivery of brought trackside. This represents one of the fundamental differences between a rail and a port terminal as in a port terminal containers are stacked and chassis are not used for storage purposes. To optimize truck pick up and delivery, container/chassis pairs are often parked at an angle of 60 degrees so they can be stored closer to another while a truck can easily back up for delivery or pick up. On terminals that are more recent and thus have more space available, container/chassis pairs are parked in a parallel fashion to facilitate drayage to and from the intermodal yard. There is also some storage areas for reefers (refrigerated containers) with power outlets, but this account for a small amount of the total storage capacity; 1 to 5%. Users are commonly given a dwell time of 48 hours where their cargo is stored at the terminal at no charge, which gives enough time for outbound loads to be assembled or for customers to prepare for the pick up of their inbound cargo one they have been notified of its arrival at the terminal.
Classification yard. Can be present if the terminal has been upgraded from a regular freight to a container terminal, but for most modern intermodal rail terminals the classification yard will be absent. Its function is mainly related to the assembly and break down of freight trains carrying other types of cargo. This is necessary because each rail car can be bound to a different destination and can be shunted on several occasions. This mainly takes place at the origin, destination or at an intermediary location (such as Chicago or North Platte). Classification yards are often operated independently from the intermodal yard and have a tendency to be located at different locations.
Gate. This is where the truck driver presents proper documentation (bill of lading) for pick up or delivery. Most of the inspection is done remotely with cameras and intercom systems where an operator can remotely see for instance the container number of an existing truck and verify if it corresponds to the bill of lading. If international cargo is concerned, then it must have been first cleared by customs. To simplify matters and increase throughput, there are often separate entry and exit gates and dedicated lanes for empties or chassis returns.
Chassis storage. Area where empty chassis are stored while waiting to be allocated to a truck or a holster. Some are within the terminal while other are in nearby chassis pools. Chassis equipment is very important as in essentially represents the interface between rail and truck transportation.
Repair / maintenance. Area where regular maintenance activities of the terminal's heavy equipment is performed.

Click here to see a real world example of a large scale intermodal terminal, the BNSF Logistics Park Terminal, near Chicago.