Los Angeles is the western gateway for international trade, with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach generating massive rail volumes. BNSF and Union Pacific operate major yards that funnel freight from Asia-Pacific trade routes onto transcontinental rail corridors serving the entire U.S. market.
Railroads Serving Los Angeles
Los Angeles is served by BNSF and Union Pacific, providing solid Class I railroad coverage for freight shippers in the Los Angeles metro area.
BNSF
BNSF Railway operates one of the largest rail networks in North America, covering the western two-thirds of the United States. BNSF is a major carrier for coal, grain, and industrial products.
Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad operates the largest rail network in the U.S., spanning 23 states across the western two-thirds of the country. UP handles diverse freight including industrial, coal, and agricultural products.
Understanding how Class I and short line railroads work together is key to efficient rail shipping. Read our guide: Short Line vs Class I Railroads.
Key Rail Terminals & Yards
Major rail facilities in and around Los Angeles include:
- Hobart Yard (BNSF)
- ICTF (UP)
- East Los Angeles Yard (UP)
These facilities handle car classification, transload, and bulk commodity loading and unloading operations. Learn how classification yards sort and route freight in our article: How Railroad Classification Yards Work.
Commodities Shipped by Rail
Key commodities moving by rail through Los Angeles include:
- Consumer goods
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Agricultural products
Rail is the most cost-effective way to move bulk commodities over long distances. See our rail vs truck cost comparison to understand when rail makes sense for your freight.
Multimodal & Port Connections
Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach — the nation's busiest container port complex with dedicated on-dock rail facilities.
Port access gives Los Angeles shippers the advantage of rail-to-vessel transloading for international trade. Whether you are exporting or importing bulk commodities, the combination of rail and port infrastructure creates efficient multimodal supply chain options.
Learn more about how transloading works in our guide: What Is Transloading?
Ready to Ship by Rail from Los Angeles?
Steel Wheel Logistics specializes in bulk commodity rail freight. Whether you are shipping consumer goods, automotive, electronics, or other goods by rail from Los Angeles, CA, we can help coordinate competitive rates, car supply, and logistics with the Class I railroads serving your area.
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