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Rail Cargo

Efficient Rail Cargo Services

Located within the International Intermodal Center (IIC), the Rail Cargo Center is linked to the Norfolk Southern main line with a five-mile rail spur and includes dedicated stack train service to both east and west coast ports. With essential resources such as U.S. Customs & Border Protection, USDA inspectors, and an independent chassis pool on-site, the Port of Huntsville’s rail cargo facilities are optimized to handle a wide range of cargo needs.

Rail Cargo Capabilities

The Port of Huntsville’s rail cargo services, supplied by Norfolk Southern, provide direct access to major ports on both the East and West coasts, cutting down transit time, increasing efficiency, and making cargo transport more economical.
  • Direct spur access to Norfolk Southern mainline.
  • Capacity for 1,100 wheeled units, with stacking capacity for over 500 loads.
  • Two 45-ton overhead gantry cranes enable top and bottom lift, including wide top-pick capability.
  • Independent Chassis Pool of 20′, 40′ and 45′ equipment is available
  • U.S. Customs & Border Protection located on-site 24/7. Learn more.
  • Support from logistics service providers, including freight forwarders, customs brokers, draymen, and steamship lines. Learn more

Rail Service Area

  • Direct Norfolk Southern international service to and from the East Coast ports of Charleston and Savannah.
  • Connecting international and domestic service, with Union Pacific (UP), via NS Memphis, to and from major West Coast ports.
  • Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) provides inbound service only, from the West Coast into Huntsville via NS Memphis.

Container Setup
& Scheduling

  • Hours of Operation

    6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CST
    256-772-7084

  • Monday to Friday

    After-hours services available upon request.

  • Rail Cut-Off Time:

    Monday – Friday at 4:00 p.m. CST

Terminal-Related Fees

Terminal Fees Included in Norfolk Southern Rail Rates
Terminal Storage via Norfolk Southern
Free for day of notification plus 10 days, then $20/day
Terminal Storage via Truck-Over-the-Road – No Free Time
$25/day + $25 gate toll

Depot Fees

Terminal Fees Included in Norfolk Southern Rail Rates
Secondary Lift (Empty/Loaded)
$27.50
Live Lift
$55 per container
Depot Storage – Empty COFC/TOFC Container
$1.00 per day
Bare Chassis Storage
$0.50 per day
EIA Inspection/Interchange Gate Fee
$9.00 per container in & out
Racking Fees (per Chassis)
40′ – $55
20′ – $65
Flat Bed Fees (per Chassis)
40′ – $70
20′ – $80

Contact

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CST
After-hours services are available upon request

Location

Physical

International Intermodal Center 
2850 Wall Triana Highway 
Huntsville, AL 35824

Billing Address

1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd., Box 20008
Huntsville, AL 35824

Rail Cargo Team

Tom Laming

Business Development Manager
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Randy Dean

Operations Manager
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Michael Moore

Operations Supervisor
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Morgan Rice

Operations Supervisor
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