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A week ago, Union Pacific Railroad and CSX Transportation began operating a new dedicated produce unit-train service. The Class Is moved the first train from Wallula, Wash., to Albany, N.Y.

Arriving at its destination Oct. 22, the train — comprising 55 refrigerated box cars —completed the move in 124 hours, including a “seamless” interchange in Chicago. The 64-foot refrigerated box cars feature energy efficient cooling and Global Positioning Systems to monitor the temperature and location of produce shipments, including apples, pears, onions and potatoes.

AMPCO Distribution Services’ Railex L.L.C. owns and operates loading and unloading centers, and manages product handling and distribution at each end of the move.

“We believe this new service will provide a competitive shipping option for fresh produce from Washington to New York compared to over-the-road transportation,” said John Philp, UP assistant vice president of food and refrigerated products, in a prepared statement.