Thermo King reports that C.R. England is using an enhanced intermodal transportation solution, TempStack container-on-flatcar technology (COFC), which combines the benefits of rail transportation with the convenience of localized trailer delivery. The use of the intermodal network – which uses shipping via rail instead of over-the-road – saved C.R. England and its customers more than 3.5 million gallons of fuel last year. This can also lead to lower consumer product costs.
The company also expects to lower fuel costs by 40% compared to traditional operating models by selecting more energy efficient solutions with world-leading control functions. These controls allow drivers to tightly manage temperature while optimizing fuel usage by cycling the cooling process, providing as-needed rather than continuous cooling, according to the company.
TempStack is a 53-ft. temperature-controlled COFC technology that offers significant cost savings, expanded network coverage capacity and a reduced carbon footprint. C.R. England said its COFC technology makes the company’s fleet the largest in the industry with the ability to double-stack refrigerated containers on railroad flatcars, creating greater movement of freight through more green and cost effective transportation. The fleet will include 300 containers by the end of the first quarter of 2011.
C.R. England also has incorporated controls that allow it to run refrigeration units on an as-needed basis while tightly controlling temperature – changes which the company said save money and increase operational efficiency.
A customized temperature control system, OptiSet, offers more than 500 pre-set temperature options, allowing unit operation and product quality decisions to be made in advance. Fleet managers and drivers can collaborate to identify a tightly controlled temperature range based on the product load, which can result in more consistent product quality and more efficient use of the unit, according to the maker.