Apple Transloading Returns to Wallula, WA

Washington state apples have resumed moving through the multimodal facility in Wallula, WA to destinations in the northeastern United States.

WALLULA, WA, UNITED STATES, October 13, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Washington state apples have resumed moving through the multimodal facility in Wallula, Washington to destinations in the northeastern United States. Formerly operated by RailEx and Union Pacific Cold Connect, the facility has a world-class system for transloading fresh produce into refrigerated boxcars for movement on the Union Pacific Railroad. Washington State produces more than 60% of the country’s total apple crop and the demand for the product was heightened by adverse weather in the northeastern United States.

The multimodal solution at origin for Bear Mountain Orchards is provided by Great Northwest Transport, the warehouse 3PL who is also the intermodal lift operator at the adjacent Tri-Cities Intermodal facility. “Offering a comprehensive pickup solution through to the loaded boxcar is what we can offer,” said Jason Girnus, Vice President and General Manager of Great Northwest Transport. “We are asset based — trucks and drivers on both sides of Washington state with warehouse capabilities.”

“Accessing a supply of Washington State apples was important to ensure our supply chain reliability,” said Patrick Malloy, Packing House Manager for Bear Mountain Orchards. “Our customers rely on us to maintain a year-round supply of quality produce and recent weather has caused local disruption. A cost effective trans-continental sourcing solution was ideal.”

“Union Pacific has served this facility for more than 20 years,” said Jason Hess, Senior Vice President-Bulk, at Union Pacific Railroad. “We’re glad to see it return to its full capability and take advantage of our refrigerated boxcar fleet and network, the largest and most advanced among North American Class I railroads.”

There is a plethora of multimodal opportunities at this location. Beyond the warehouse supporting truck-to-boxcar loading, there is also truck-to-container bulk transloading on site and rail-to-container transloading just south of the yard served by Columbia Rail.

Tri-Cities Intermodal is served by Union Pacific Railroad and Columbia Rail. The facility has an initial capacity of 75,000 lifts annually, with a roadmap to significantly expand as traffic develops. Its Wallula location provides access to multiple transportation networks, including import and export service through the Northwest Seaport Alliance, Union Pacific’s domestic intermodal network, truck-to-container agricultural transload for export, and rail-to-truck transload opportunities utilizing Columbia Rail.

Bear Mountain Orchards is a family owned and operated business that has been a grower, packer, and shipper of peaches, apples, and nectarines, specializing in custom wholesale orders. Its range of customers includes farm markets, local grocery stores, school lunch programs and large supermarket chains.

Great Northwest Transport is headquartered in Pasco, WA. and began over fifty years ago as a small, family-owned business to provide reliable and efficient transportation services across the Columbia Basin. It has long been part of The McGregor Company, a 140-year-old Eastern Washington company. It offers a wide variety of services with company assets including bulk, tankers and flatbeds. In 2025 it acquired Sunset Transportation, another family-owned trucking company located in Seattle.

Contacts
Jason Girnus
Great Northwest Transport
M: 509.492.1948
jgirnus@gnwtransport.com

Bear Mountain Orchards Inc
patrick@bearmountaininc.net

Theodore Prince
Tri-Cities Intermodal LLC
+1 804-677-5004
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Written By: EIN Presswire