Transloading in the Southwest
Not every load begins or ends on rail. That’s why The Apache Railway Company offers transloading in Snowflake, Arizona, giving customers a way to shift freight between truck and rail without losing time.
We work with lumber, bulk dry goods, liquid products, dimensional cargo, and farm commodities. The yard is set up with the equipment and crews to accommodate transloaders, and our direct connection to BNSF at Holbrook ties it all into the national network.
What we move
Here are some of the common types of freight we transload
How the transfers work
At Apache, transloading means accommodating transloaders in moving freight between truck and rail quickly and safely.
We can manage a single-car load, a partial cut, or a full train depending on what the customer brings in and its designated transloader. If a shipper needs 10 cars switched in a day, we’ll schedule the space and the people. If a shipper wants to build a unit train over the course of a week, we can stage cars as they arrive.
More than a transfer
Most shippers need more than just a switch. Alongside transloading, we can weigh cars, pull samples, do inspections, and hold cars in short-term storage if the next leg isn’t ready.
That extra capacity is especially useful for customers who face outbound trucking delays or need regulatory sampling before a product can move on. Instead of sending cars to multiple facilities, Apache keeps the whole process under one roof.
Why Snowflake works
The yard in Snowflake sits on the BNSF Transcon, one of the busiest mainlines in the country. That location puts us in a sweet spot: close enough to serve regional markets in Arizona and New Mexico, but also a straight shot west to California or east to Texas and the Midwest.
The climate adds another edge. Northern Arizona’s dry air helps prevent corrosion and reduces weather-related delays. That means fewer headaches for long-term storage or cars waiting between transfers.
By choosing Apache, shippers reduce trucking miles, cut fuel costs, and shorten delivery windows compared to routing through distant terminals.
Timing and updates
Turnaround depends on the load. Some jobs are done in a day, others may take two or three depending on the commodity and paperwork involved. Either way, customers get status updates by phone or email, and paperwork is sent as soon as the job is finished.
Safety and paperwork
HazMat loads follow strict EPA, FRA, EPA and ADEQ rules. Our teams are trained for that work, and we keep the paperwork regulators expect—manifests, weight tickets, inspection notes—so customers don’t have to chase it down later.
This process isn’t just about compliance; it also lowers liability for car owners and shippers. Every move is logged, and every inspection is documented, so audits are straightforward and customers know their freight is covered.
What Apache offers
- Truck-to-rail and rail-to-truck
- Bulk, liquid, and dimensional freight
- HazMat-trained crews
- BNSF interchange at Holbrook
- Scheduling built around customer needs
Truck-to-rail transfers with the paperwork done right.
Why shippers choose Apache
Customers tell us they come here for location and service. Few terminals in the Southwest combine certified HazMat handling, a direct Class I connection, and the ability to link in repair, cleaning, and storage.
Our transloading customers range from renewable energy equipment OEMs, to manufacturers handling steel or lumber. Leasing companies also use Apache when they need a reliable place to stage cars between loads.
For local producers, it’s a nearby solution. For national shippers, it’s a way to keep cars moving without detouring through congested terminals.
Transload with Apache
The Apache Railway Company accommodates transloading for bulk, liquid, and dimensional freight, backed by HazMat-trained crews and clear documentation. Whether it’s one car or a cut of a unit train, we handle the transfer and keep the paperwork straight.