News & Announcements

IPI delay: BNSF Ludlow, CA Derailment March 3, 2021

March 5, 2021

To: All Value Customers:

Re: IPI delay: BNSF Ludlow, CA Derailment March 3, 2021

At 12:20 p.m. PST, Wednesday, March 3, BNSF received a preliminary report that a non-intermodal train derailed near Ludlow, CA blocking both main lines to and from California. As the intermodal network continues to recover from the historic winter weather and the derailment in Ludlow, CA, BNSF closed the gates for Standard service level shipments at its Los Angeles ramps effective Wednesday, March 3, at 23:59.

March 4 afternoon, BNSF also announced a significant gate restriction for Standard service level shipments at Stockton, CA effective Friday, March 5, at 00:01. Due to lingering congestion from the recent winter weather, NS has communicated a new gate restriction at its Chicago Calumet, IL ramp effective Thursday, March 4, at 23:59. Due to a surge in freight, CSX has communicated a gate closure at its Chicago Bedford Park, IL ramp to Syracuse, NY effective immediately.

Due to car shortages related to the Ludlow, CA derailment, BNSF will stop accepting ingates at Atlanta/Fairburn, GA at 13:00 ET, Friday, March 5. Although BNSF has cleared both main lines from the derailment, the current gate closures and restrictions are expected to remain in place until at least Monday, March 8. Current rail restrictions impacted are summarized below. Loads are placed on hold at ship site due to rail restrictions and gate closures.

All Standard traffic will be impacted in these lanes:

  • BNSF Los Angeles, CA to all destinations – Complete gate closure
  • BNSF Stockton, CA to all destinations – Ingates restricted
  • BNSF Atlanta/Fairburn, GA to all destinations – Complete gate closure
  • NS Chicago Calumet, IL to all destinations – Ingates restricted
  • CSX Chicago Bedford Park, IL to Syracuse, NY – Complete gate closure

Please do not hesitate to contact us should there be any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Imperial CFS Inc.