Aug. 8 at 3:22 PM
$UNP is launching an LA–Chicago “Z-train” that could actually take share from the highway...if they execute.
It’s a truck-competitive intermodal lane from the Inland Empire to Chicago’s Global 2 on UP’s top-priority Z schedule, with ~3-day transit, up to 20% faster than typical intermodal, starting five days a week. They’re aiming straight at team-driver trucks on the most important freight corridor.
Why it matters: the origin/destination is perfect (IE warehousing to Chicago distribution), Z-trains get network priority for time-sensitive e-com/retail freight, and rail’s fuel/emissions math wins if you pair speed with reliability...shippers will try it.
Risks: peak-season SoCal congestion, chassis/dray labor tightness, network hiccups—and BNSF already runs a fast SoCal–CHI product.
Bottom line: smart, targeted move. Keep these trains hot and predictable, and UP gains share, mix, and margin. If not, it’s just a pretty timetable.
