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Rail Logistics L.C. and Iowa Pacific Holdings recently forged a partnership through which Rail Logistics will manage, operate and market Iowa Pacific's refrigerated rail-car fleet.

The fleet initially numbers 150 cars, but Iowa Pacific has ordered an additional 100 64-foot refrigerated box cars that are slated for delivery in 2013.

Since 2006, Rail Logistics has managed and operated a successful rail-car pool program for the state of Washington that is tailored for perishable product shippers who no longer have access to railroad-supplied cars, Rail Logistics officials said. And in early 2010, the company in partnership with BNSF Railway Co. launched the Cold Train express refrigerated intermodal service between the Port of Quincy, Wash., and Chicago.

Rail Logistics expertise and experience will help maximize the utilization of Iowa Pacific's refrigerated rail-car fleet, said Steve Lawson, the company’s president. In addition, the partnership will enable Iowa Pacific to deploy its expanded car fleet beyond traditional Colorado potato business, added Steve Gregory, executive vice president of marketing for Iowa Pacific, which owns and operates six railroads.

“With tight truck capacity and high fuel prices, we think there is a solid market for refrigerated rail transportation,” said Gregory.