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Union Pacific Railroad and CSX Transportation are teaming up to provide a dedicated produce unit-train service between Washington state and New York. To launch in first-quarter 2006, the service will offer a 124-hour transit time with 55-car trains moving intact from origin to destination.

The unit trains will feature 64-foot refrigerated box cars, each designed to move perishables — including apples, pears, onions and potatoes — equal to four truckloads. The cars are equipped with enhanced insulation, energy-efficient cooling systems and Global Positioning System monitoring to control temperature.

Unit trains will originate in Wallula, Wash., and terminate in Albany, N.Y. UP and CSXT will interchange in Chicago. Railex L.L.C. will own and operate new loading and unloading centers, and manage product handling and distribution.

“We believe this new service will provide an alternative method to ship perishable produce from Washington to New York other than over-the-road transportation,” said John Philp, Union Pacific Railroad assistant vice president of food and refrigerated products, in a prepared statement.