Configuration of a Rail Intermodal Container Terminal

An intermodal rail container terminal is commonly composed of the following elements, each performing a specific function:

• Intermodal yard. The core of the terminal where unit trains are loaded and unloaded by cranes (or lifts). They can be more than 2 km in length due to the large size of container unit trains (100 cars). In many cases, unit trains are broken down in two parts in the yard, which leaves a midway corridor for the circulation of chassis within the yard (otherwise movements between the storage area and unit trains would be much longer). Containers are brought trackside or to the storage area by hostlers. While older generations of intermodal yards (or those with small volume) worked on a one-to-one basis (one trackside space available for loading or unloading for each car), new intermodal yards tend to operate on a two-to-one basis (one trackside space for loading and one trackside space for unloading).
• Storage area. Acts as a buffer between the road system and the intermodal yard. It often covers an area similar in size than the intermodal yard as modern rail intermodal yards are heavy consumers of space. Unlike a maritime terminal, it is uncommon that containers will be stacked, mostly as empties in a specific part of a yard. They are simply left stored on a chassis, waiting to be picked up for delivery of brought trackside. To optimize truck pick up and delivery, chassis are parked at an angle of 60 degree so they can be stored closer to another.
• Classification yard. Can be present if the terminal has been upgraded from a regular freight to a container terminal, but for most modern intermodal rail terminals the classification yard will be absent. Its function is mainly related to the assembly and break down of freight trains. This is necessary because each rail car can be bound to a different destination and can be shunted on several occasions. This mainly takes place at the origin, destination or at an intermediary location (such as Chicago or North Platte). Classification yards are often operated independently from the intermodal yard.
• Gate. This is where the truck driver presents proper documentation (bill of lading) for pick up or delivery. Most of the inspection is done remotely with cameras and intercom systems where an operator can remotely see for instance the container number of an existing truck and verify if it corresponds to the bill of lading. To simplify matters and increase throughput, there are often separate entry and exit gates.
• Chassis storage. Area where empty chassis are stored while waiting to be allocated to a truck or a holster.
• Repair / maintenance. Area where regular maintenance activities of the terminal's heavy equipment is performed.

There are commonly distribution centers adjacent to rail container terminals, mainly connected to the rail network through spurs. The above figure is modeled after the Bedford Yard in Chicago.

Three major components interact in terminal operations; rail track operations, storage yard operations and gate operations. The purpose is to ensure that each operation interact smoothly.