BNSF, MARK VII EXPAND CALIFORNIA/CHICAGO PERISHABLES SERVICE

BNSF, MARK VII EXPAND CALIFORNIA/CHICAGO PERISHABLES SERVICE    Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Mark VII Transportation Co. Inc. said Wednesday they'll launch later this month a second weekly service for moving temperature-controlled products between southern California and Chicago.
   The Ice Cold Express has operated a weekly unit train of 53-foot RoadRailer refrigerated trailers since June 1999. Effective May 16, BNSF will begin running two 65-unit trains per week in each direction between San Bernandino, Calif., and Chicago.
   The companies offer the unit-train service “to offer growers and grocers a true truck-competitive transportation alternative between Southern California, Chicago and beyond,” said Steve Branscum, group vice president, BNSF Consumer Products.
   BNSF and Mark VII, an intermodal marketing company, will provide service beyond Chicago to several locations in the Midwest and Northeast. Mark VII coordinates sales and operations services.
   Branscum said BNSF and Mark VII are considering expanding the service to other markets.