Intermodal Rail Shipping
for Plastics & Packaging

Because you're not just shipping - you're protecting Canada's essential goods.

You’re moving resins, films, preforms, or finished containers – and every load needs to arrive intact, on time, and without added cost.

One late container, contaminated shipment, or damaged pallet doesn’t just impact delivery – it halts production lines, breaks customer trust, and hits your margins hard.

RailGateway delivers specialized intermodal shipping for plastics and packaging, trusted by converters, manufacturers, and brand owners who demand reliability, reach, and real supply chain efficiency – coast to coast.

Cut Costs

Intermodal

Up to 40% cheaper than 

Over-The-Road shipping

Save Time

Intermodal

Book Shipments in minutes.

Get freight moving with minimal lead time.

Ship Smarter

Intermodal

Expert Support, Every Step: Real people — no call centers or bots, just Great Canadian Service

Trusted by Canada’s Plastics & Packaging Industry for Intermodal Shipping 

Ideal for: Full Load Rail Freight, Dry Goods, Temperature-Controlled Food Shipments

How it Works

Get a Quick Quote

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Book With Ease

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Track in Real Time

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Why Plastics & Packaging Professionals Choose RailGateway

Intermodal Rail Shipping
Reliable Coverage Where It Counts

From polymer producers to converting plants and packaging distribution centers, RailGateway delivers seamless intermodal rail service across Canada and deep into U.S. manufacturing corridors. We get your freight where it needs to be, without detours or delays.

 
Lower Shipping Costs, Higher Margins

Reduce transportation costs by up to 40% compared to full truckload – without sacrificing delivery windows, cargo care, or reliability. More efficiency, less overhead.

 
Plastics & Packaging Logistics Expertise

With over 30 years in rail and logistics, we understand the unique handling requirements for both raw resins and finished goods, the importance of contamination-free transport, and the time-sensitive demands of supplying production lines. We don’t just move freight – we move it right.

 

Streamlined, Stress-Free Shipping

 

From booking to delivery, we simplify intermodal rail logistics so your team can stay focused on molding, converting, and supplying your customers – not chasing down carriers or juggling paperwork.

 
Fast, Predictable Transit Times

Door-to-door service that competes with truckload speeds, backed by proactive updates and real-time tracking. Fewer unknowns. Fewer phone calls. Fewer delays.

 
Built for Sustainability and Scale

Intermodal rail shipping lowers your carbon footprint and scales with your operation – whether you’re moving polymer resins, plastic film, finished containers, or recycled materials across provinces or borders.

Preferred Partners of CN Railway & CPKC Railway

As official partners of Canadian National Railway (CN Intermodal) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC Itermodal), RailGateway unlocks volume-based discounts and nationwide coverage for your business.

These long-standing partnerships allow us to offer:

  • Best-in-Class Coverage & Rates
  • Priority rail access across Canada and into the U.S.
  • Unmatched reliability and scheduling
  • Lower rates passed directly to you

Whether you’re shipping from Toronto to Vancouver or Calgary to Chicago, we’ve got you covered.

Let our trusted rail partners go to work for your bottom line.

5 Star Reviews

Intermodal

Our five star reviews speak for themselves. Check out what other businesses are saying about their experience with RailGateway.

Jordan M.
Logistics Manager, National Retailer
We switched to RailGateway to cut costs, but we stayed for the simplicity. They made intermodal shipping feel effortless, and we’ve saved thousands each month compared to traditional freight
Danielle R.
Director of Operations, Food Distributor
Every time I call, I get someone who actually knows our business. RailGateway’s team is hands-on, responsive, and genuinely cares about getting it right — that’s rare in freight.
Alex T.
Supply Chain Lead, Manufacturing Company
We’ve trusted RailGateway for three years now, and they’ve never let us down. On-time pickups, clear updates, and coverage when we need it. They just make shipping easier.
Marie S.
Supply Chain Manager, Pharmaceutical Company
Our products are sensitive to temperature swings, and RailGateway gets it. They coordinated every detail with care, and we’ve had zero spoilage since switching. Total peace of mind.
Kevin L.
Operations Director, Canadian Manufacturer
Cross-border shipping used to be a headache — now it's a breeze. RailGateway handles the paperwork, routing, and customs coordination so we can focus on growing our U.S. market.
Sophie K.
Founder, DTC Home Goods Brand
As our order volume grew, so did our freight needs — fast. RailGateway helped us scale without the overwhelm. They’re a key part of how we deliver on time, every time.
Greg B.
VP of Logistics, National Food Distributor
We move hundreds of loads monthly, and consistency is everything. RailGateway delivers — literally and figuratively. Their team scales with us, communicates clearly, and keeps our supply chain on track.
Laura J.
Owner, Canadian Specialty Foods
I didn’t think intermodal was an option for a business our size, but RailGateway proved me wrong. They walked us through everything, found the right lanes, and helped us grow without breaking the bank.
Mike D.
Purchasing Manager, Industrial Equipment Supplier
The quotes are fast, the team is friendly, and the freight shows up when they say it will. What more can you ask for?

Save on Plastic & Packaging Shipping with Intermodal Rail

Have Questions?

Check out our Intermodal Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact one of our intermodal experts to learn more about our services.

FAQs

Intermodal rail is ideal for a wide range of raw and finished materials. We regularly ship bulk plastic resins (pellets), masterbatches, preforms, rolls of film and flexible packaging, as well as rigid containers, closures, and finished packaged goods. Essentially, if it can be safely loaded into a container, we can move it efficiently by rail.

We understand that material integrity is critical. Your products are sealed in a dedicated, food-grade or liner-grade intermodal container for the entire journey. This single container is moved from truck to train and back to truck, minimizing handling and dramatically reducing the risk of cross-contamination, moisture, and physical damage compared to traditional multi-stop truck routes.

While a direct truck might seem faster for shorter distances, intermodal rail is often more reliable and predictable for long-haul shipments (over 750 miles/1,200 km). Rail networks operate on fixed schedules, avoiding highway congestion, driver shortages, and Hours of Service regulations that can delay trucks. This leads to more consistent transit times and on-time delivery, preventing costly production line shutdowns.

Absolutely. We serve customers across Canada and the U.S. agri-food corridor, including coast-to-coast Canadian coverage and access through key U.S. intermodal hubs.

It’s fast and straightforward. Just fill out our quote form with your origin, destination, freight type, and volume. Our team will follow up with pricing and transit details – no guesswork, no delays.

Intermodal shipping is the movement of freight using two or more modes of transportation—typically rail and truck—without handling the actual cargo when changing modes. Your goods are loaded into a standardized container that moves efficiently between truck and train, reducing handling, delays, and risk of damage.

Intermodal shipping offers several benefits, including:
  • Cost savings over long distances
  • Reduced carbon footprint (rail is 3–4x more fuel-efficient than trucking)
  • Improved security and reduced handling
  • Reliable transit times through scheduled rail networks

For long-distance transport, rail is significantly more fuel-efficient than trucking, and we pass those savings on to you. By moving the bulk of the journey via train, you can reduce your cost-per-mile by 10-30% on average. This allows you to lower your overall freight spend, improve your margins, and make your pricing more competitive, all while reducing your company’s carbon footprint.

Not necessarily. For longer distances, especially across provinces or cross-border, intermodal can be as fast—or faster—than trucking, thanks to efficient rail routes and lower chances of delays. Plus, it’s more cost-effective and eco-friendly.

Intermodal Shipping Resources

Stop overpaying for freight—get your free rail quote now.