OREANDA-NEWS.  In support of its customers' growing needs for truck-competitive service between western U.S. markets and Chicago, the country's primary transportation interchange point, Union Pacific recently has increased the frequency of two intermodal services: Portland-Chicago and Northern California-Chicago. Both are part of Union Pacific's top-tier "premium" intermodal service, with four-day delivery in the morning. This service enhancement gives customers access to Union Pacific's extensive rail network, which is made possible in part by the company's significant capital investments, including a record USD 4.1 billion in 2014.

The Portland-Chicago service, called Portland Premium, operates six days per week westbound and five days per week eastbound. The Northern California-Chicago service, called NorCal, connects Chicago and the Northern California region, utilizing Union Pacific's Oakland and Lathrop intermodal ramps, and operates between five and seven days per week depending on direction and specific origin/destination points.

Intermodal customers utilizing these enhanced service lanes have access to EMP and UMAX equipment, the largest rail-owned container fleet in North America. In addition, wholesale door-to-door transportation options are available via Union Pacific subsidiary Streamline.

Service schedules and additional details are available on Union Pacific's website.

Union Pacific's Intermodal team provides a wide range of multi-modal transportation solutions for both domestic and international freight. The railroad's extensive door-to-door and ramp-to-ramp services provide customers access to markets throughout North America, with the flexibility to move freight in rail-owned shipping containers or private equipment. Union Pacific is committed to offering truck-competitive rates and service schedules.