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24
Nov
2021

What Is Rail Siding?

by Michael Kotendzhi | Logistics
What Is Rail Siding

Rail siding has to do with the railroad. It’s small side tracks that allow for rail cars to move off the main track to side tracks to are situated next to warehouse buildings. The idea is that if there is warehouse space right at the railyard, then you can avoid the need for trucks to unload rail cars.

Warehouse space right next to the railyard using rail siding can spell increased efficiency and lower costs for shipping and logistics for clients that are shipping products.

With the use of rail siding, products can be unloaded and stored for short or long-term periods in an on-site warehouse until the need to be trucked to the next location, such as another mode of transportation or to the final destination. Since railways are an important mode of transportation in shipping, anything that increases access and efficiency regarding the railroad is a big deal.

Not all 3PL companies have access to rail siding, but if they do, there can be a big cost savings to the shipping customer. Vancouver, BC, is a major railroad hub with three major railroads servicing it: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway, and Canadian National Railway.

You can always ask your shipping and logistics provider if they have access to rail siding, and how that might impact your own business’s shipping needs. Many businesses rely on railroads for shipping. But the railroad may have other features that you may not know about, features that can help you save time and money. Rail siding is something to take advantage of when it is available.

For over 30 years, 18 Wheels Logistics has strived to be the most customer-centric trucking, warehousing, and logistics company around. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 18 Wheels relies on experience and integrity to make customers happy and remain on the cutting edge of shipping and logistics management.

If you have any questions about this article or you would like to talk to us about your shipping needs, please call us at (604) 439-8938.


Michael Kotendzhi is President of Operations & Transportation and a partner at 18 Wheels. Michael has over 15 years of experience and is equipped with a degree in Logistics from the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business. As well as a background in logistics from XPO Logistics (formally Kelron Logistics), North America's largest contract warehousing provider.

Michael's experience includes supply chain management, reverse logistics, & domestic transportation. He has developed 18 Wheels' trucking solutions, effectively utilizing the sister company's vehicle fleet and building a transportation supply-chain network across North America.