Coast-to-Coast Intermodal Rail Freight
Rail Freight Shipping Across Canada
Cost-Saving Rail Shipping With Trucking at Both Ends
Ship by Train, Coast to Coast
Containers, pallets, vehicles and heavy freight
Intermodal Door to Door
We truck your freight to the rail terminal and deliver it from the destination ramp.
Lower Cost on Long Routes
Rail is often the most economical way to move heavy freight between distant cities.
Moving Across Canada
Ship a container of household goods or belongings by train when you relocate.
Built for Heavy Loads
Dense, heavy freight that would need several trucks is a natural fit for rail.
How Rail Shipping Works
Rail freight combines the low cost of moving goods by train with the flexibility of trucking. We call this intermodal shipping, and it is one of the most efficient ways to move freight across Canada.
1
Get a Rail Freight Quote
Tell us the origin, destination, weight and size of your shipment, and whether it is a container, pallets or a vehicle.
2
Pickup and Drayage to the Rail Ramp
A truck collects your freight or container and delivers it to the rail terminal for loading.
3
Linehaul by Rail
Your shipment travels by train across the country, the long-distance leg where rail saves the most.
4
Final-Mile Delivery
At the destination terminal your freight is unloaded and trucked to the delivery address.
Ready to start? A quote takes about two minutes.
When to Ship by Rail Instead of Truck
Rail shipping in Canada is a smart choice when you are moving freight a long way and have a little flexibility on timing. It works especially well for:
For shorter distances or tight deadlines, trucking is usually faster. See our LTL shipping and heavy equipment hauling services.
Moving Across Canada? Ship Your Belongings by Rail
Shipping by train is a popular way to move across Canada. Your household goods or boxes are loaded into a container, trucked to the rail terminal and carried by train to your new province, then delivered to your new home.
We can also ship cars by rail across Canada as part of a Canadian car shipping move. Tell us what you are moving in the quote form and we will recommend the best way to ship it.
Rail Freight on Canada's National Rail Network
Canada's rail freight moves on two coast-to-coast networks, run by CN and CPKC. Together they link the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal and Halifax with intermodal terminals in every major city.
That network is what makes rail freight so cost-effective on long routes. A single train carries the load of hundreds of trucks, and containers move between terminals on fixed schedules, with trucks handling the first and last mile.
We book space on the right service for your route, arrange the drayage at both ends and track your container until it is delivered.
Rail and Ground Freight You Can Trust
With more than 35 years of combined experience in freight forwarding, World Cargo moves freight across Canada by rail, truck and intermodal. We plan each shipment around your cargo, your route and your budget, and we stay in touch until it is delivered.
Learn More About Rail Shipping
Guides, shipping tips and updates from the ports and routes we ship on, written by our team to help you plan your next shipment.
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Rail Disruptions in Toronto – August 2024
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Looking for something specific? Every guide and update is on the blog.
Rail Freight Questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. Open a question for the short answer.
Still have questions?
Talk to a real person. Our Vancouver team answers the phone and replies to every enquiry.
How much does rail freight cost in Canada?
Rail freight pricing depends on the distance, the weight and size of your shipment, the type of equipment and the trucking needed at each end. For long routes, rail is often cheaper than trucking. Request a quote for an exact price.
How long does shipping by train across Canada take?
Coast-to-coast rail shipments typically take about one to two weeks including trucking at both ends. Shorter routes can be faster.
Can I ship a shipping container by train?
Yes. Containers are one of the most common rail shipments. We truck the container to the rail terminal, ship it by train and deliver it at the other end.
Can I ship my car by rail in Canada?
Yes. Vehicles can travel by rail on many cross-country routes. We will recommend rail or truck depending on your route and timing.
What is intermodal rail freight?
Intermodal freight uses more than one mode of transport, usually truck and train. Trucks handle pickup and delivery while rail covers the long-distance leg, which keeps costs down.
Which cities can you ship rail freight between?
We ship by rail between major Canadian centres including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.
Is rail freight cheaper than trucking?
On long routes and for heavy freight, rail is often cheaper than trucking. For short distances or urgent freight, trucking can be the better choice.
Is rail freight safe for my cargo?
Yes. Freight travels in sealed containers or secured rail cars and is handled less often than on many truck routes.
Have more questions?