With rising costs affecting transit expenses nationwide, rail continues to be an economical and reliable means of transportation. Columbia Business Center's ("CBC") rail operation allows tenants to save money, create efficiencies, and provides flexibility over time to adjust transportation modes (truck versus rail). Here are just a few of the many benefits of Columbia Business Center's rail services:
Twice a day rail switching - this is unique compared to other Portland/Vancouver area business park locations
Benefits include:
• Faster turnover of inventory and increased efficiency in operations
• Lower demurrage charge(s) from Burlington Northern Santa Fe as able to turn cars quicker
Switching within a shorter window - two 3-4 hour switching periods (as opposed to a typical one switch in an 8 hour period)• Less warehouse space required due to more productive processing
Benefits include:
• More efficient scheduling of your resources (both variable and fixed costs)
On-site storage of rail cars.• Switching times are highly predictable unlike national rail carriers
Benefits include:
Switching provided by on-site staff.• Possibility to store or cue rail cars on-site provides operational and logistical efficiencies
Benefits include:
• Experienced and knowledgeable staff can assist in coordination of complex moves
• More responsive service to any unusual requests and requirements
Freight options• Possibility for weekend switching
Benefits include:
• Flexibility over time to obtain best pricing scenarios for shipping products and receiving materials via rail or truck
Switching between buildings at CBC.
Benefits include:
• Allows tenants in more than one building at CBC to move product efficiently between their CBC locations
(Rates and services continue to be subject to change from time to time.)
Rail Switch Fees: $65.00 per touch
A touch is defined as any time we need to move your rail car for your benefit. This would include moving the railcar from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe ("BN") "in track" to your building, from your building to another door or another building and from your door to the BN "out track". In addition, if other rail cars at your building need to be moved to accommodate the switch request, a switch fee will be charged for each additional rail car moved.
In some cases, a rail car at your building may need to be moved to access another tenant's rail cars (cars down line). If this occurs, you may be asked to secure a car for movement and the car will be moved and replaced at the same location. There is no charge to you as a result of a move requested by us, but we ask for your help in making sure the car is ready to move when requested.
Storage Fees: $0 - $125 per day - sliding scale as follows:
Days 1 - 3: no charge The three days is defined as the first day (or portion thereof) that the rail car arrives at CBC, the second day is the unloading / loading period, and the third day (or portion thereof) is when the rail car is placed on the "out track".
Days 4 - 7: $35.00 per day
Days 8 - 20: $75.00 per day
Beyond 20 Days: $125.00 per day
Note: Storage fees are based on business days or portions thereof and do not include Saturday, Sunday or National Holidays. Recognized National Holidays include: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Quick Turnaround Credit: $35.00 credit per car
A "Quick Turnaround Credit" is applicable for clients who transport more than 20 cars during a month. If you had cars which were moved into and out of the park (as described above) in less than 3 days, you shall receive a $35 credit per car which shall be applied toward any resulting storage fees incurred only for that month. Note that this credit cannot be used to apply towards switching fees, or prior or subsequent month's storage fees. You are highly encouraged to load and unload rail cars as soon as practicable.
Car Not Ready Fee: $50.00 per occurrence
If you have requested a rail car move and your car is not ready to be moved by our engineers when they show up, your car may not be switched during that switch period and you will be assessed a $50.00 fee in consideration of our engineers' time.
Special Weekend Switch: $700.00 per switch period (AM or PM)
If you need a special weekend switch, we require a minimum of 3 business days notice (e.g. - we need notice no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday for a weekend switch). Other normal switch fees shall apply. All weekend switching is based on staff availability.
Rail Switch Periods:
Rail switching occurs Monday through Friday. There are 2 available switches per day: a morning or "AM" switch and an afternoon or "PM" switch. The AM switch normally begins at 7:30 AM and is concluded by 12 PM. The PM switch normally begins at 1 PM and ends at 4 PM. Switching times are subject to change at any time and without notice. Switching is dependent on staffing, equipment, system repairs and other factors which can not always be predicted or controlled. Rail switching is not available on National Holidays and is available on non-holiday weekends by special request. Switching is not available on National Holidays Weekends which is defined to be when the National Holiday falls on either a Friday or a Monday - (thus creating a 3 day weekend).
Rail Switch Request:
Your rail switch request must be sent to our office via fax no later than 7 AM for the morning switch, and no later than 12 PM for the afternoon switch.
Rail Car Ready:
Your rail car must be ready at the beginning of the switch request period since the exact arrival time of our engineers' varies depending on the sequence of moves. If your car cannot be ready at the beginning of the switch request period, please notify our office immediately. If you notify us, we won't charge the "Car Not Ready Fee", and we will try to accommodate your move later in the switch period if possible. Also, once you have released the car for pick up, please be sure none of your employees can access the car in any way.
Car Availability Confirmation:
It is your responsibility to confirm that your rail car has been delivered by Burlington Northern. In addition, it is your responsibility to release the rail cars to Burlington Northern. If your car is not picked up by Burlington Northern, you may be assessed a storage fee by CBC.
Help us be effective:
• Be sure your rail car is ready to move when you request the rail switch.
• Be sure all of your employees are safely away from the rail cars when it is time for a switch.
• Be sure all rail doors are closed to prevent any delay in picking up the rail car.
• Order rail cars in a such a manner as to limit the number of rail cars you have in the park at one time to the number of cars that can be loaded / unloaded in a short period of time
• Continue to unload / load rail cars that you receive as soon as possible so the cars can be released back to Burlington Northern and be removed from CBC
• Remember there is limited track space for rail car storage. Please be aware that the number of rail cars allowed to be stored by any one rail user is subject to change based upon rail line space availability and the needs of other rail users. All stored cars remain subject to a "per touch" switch fee.
