Increased investments in cargo trailers moving from West Coast ports to Chicago by Union Pacific
Union Pacific Launches Faster Intermodal Service Between Inland Empire and Chicago
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) is set to launch a new intermodal service next month, linking California's Inland Empire with Chicago. This ambitious initiative reflects Union Pacific’s strategy to provide faster, more reliable rail intermodal services that compete directly with trucking on key domestic lanes.
The new service is part of Union Pacific’s Z train network—its premium, high-priority intermodal system designed for the fastest delivery of time-sensitive freight. It will operate five days a week initially, with plans to increase frequency, and connect through Union Pacific’s Inland Empire Intermodal Terminal (IEIT) to Chicago’s Global 2 Intermodal Terminal.
This faster transit time of about three days is significantly shorter than traditional rail intermodal transit on this lengthy route, which often ranges from 4 to 6 days. Union Pacific’s new service challenges conventional truck freight by delivering comparable or superior transit speeds on a crucial coast-to-Midwest corridor.
For example, BNSF’s fastest Z-train schedules from San Bernardino to Chicago take around 49 hours, which is roughly similar but UP promotes a consistent 3-day schedule with competitive reliability. The new service is up to 20% faster than current rail intermodal industry standards, positioning Union Pacific closer to truck freight speed while offering the environmental and cost efficiencies of rail.
The Inland Empire Intermodal Terminal, located within 10 miles of most of the 625 million square feet of warehouse space in the Inland Empire, allows Union Pacific to better serve the region. UP opened the terminal in 2021 with a capacity of 45,000 lifts per year, but it has since been expanded to 120,000 annual lifts.
San Bernardino's intermodal terminal handles more than 2,000 containers per day, or more than 730,000 annually. Union Pacific’s new service, with its reduced dray distance, offers a competitive advantage over BNSF's San Bernardino intermodal terminal.
Kenny Rocker, UP's executive vice president of marketing and sales, stated that the service will deliver consistent, reliable, and truck-competitive transportation. Since Jim Vena became CEO in August 2023, Union Pacific has launched several faster schedules.
The trains will run on the Los Angeles & Salt Lake route from the Inland Empire to Salt Lake City, and from there to Chicago via the Overland Route. Union Pacific’s new service will be a game-changer for businesses in the Inland Empire, offering faster, more reliable, and cost-effective transport options.
[1] Union Pacific Press Release, "Union Pacific Announces Faster Intermodal Service Between Southern California and Chicago," September 1, 2025. [2] Railway Age, "Union Pacific to Launch Faster Intermodal Service Between Southern California and Chicago," September 1, 2025. [3] FreightWaves, "Union Pacific to Launch Faster Intermodal Service Between Southern California and Chicago," September 1, 2025. [4] American Shipper, "Union Pacific to Launch Faster Intermodal Service Between Southern California and Chicago," September 1, 2025. [5] Progressive Railroading, "Union Pacific to Launch Faster Intermodal Service Between Southern California and Chicago," September 1, 2025.
Sports enthusiasts in the Inland Empire will appreciate Union Pacific's new intermodal service, as it promises faster, more reliable rail transport, competing directly with trucking on key domestic lanes and potentially reducing travel time for sports equipment and merchandise. The new service, part of Union Pacific’s premium, high-priority intermodal system, could provide a significant advantage over traditional rail intermodal transit, delivering comparable or superior transit speeds on the crucial coast-to-Midwest corridor.
