Apple Transloading Returns to Wallula, WA Facility

Washington state apples are once again moving through the multimodal facility in Wallula, WA, bound for destinations in the northeastern United States. This multimodal solution, which Great Northwest Transport provides, has resumed operations for Bear Mountain Orchards, ensuring a reliable supply chain for the company's produce.

Great Northwest Transport, headquartered in Pasco, WA, has been a key player in the region for over five decades. The company, part of The McGregor Company, a 140-year-old Eastern Washington company, offers a wide range of transportation services, including bulk, tankers, and flatbeds. In 2025, Great Northwest Transport expanded its portfolio by acquiring Sunset Transportation, a family-owned trucking company based in Seattle.

Bear Mountain Orchards, a family-owned and operated business, specializes in the cultivation, packing, and shipping of peaches, apples, and nectarines. The company caters to a diverse range of customers, including farm markets, local grocery stores, school lunch programs, and large supermarket chains. The multimodal facility in Wallula, WA, serves as a crucial link in Bear Mountain Orchards' supply chain, providing a comprehensive pickup solution through to the loaded boxcar.

The facility, operated by Great Northwest Transport, is a hub for multimodal transportation. Beyond the truck-to-boxcar loading service, the site also offers truck-to-container bulk transloading and rail-to-container transloading. The Tri-Cities Intermodal facility, served by Union Pacific Railroad and Columbia Rail, has an initial capacity of 75,000 lifts annually. This capacity is expected to expand as traffic develops, making the facility a key player in the region's transportation network.

Union Pacific Railroad, which has served the facility for over two decades, is pleased to see it return to full capability. The railroad's refrigerated boxcar fleet and network, the largest and most advanced among North American Class I railroads, will be utilized to transport the apples to their destinations.

The Tri-Cities Intermodal facility's 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. This diverse network ensures that the facility can meet the varying needs of its customers, from local markets to international destinations.

In summary, the return of apple transloading to Wallula, WA, marks a significant development in the region's transportation infrastructure. The collaboration between Great Northwest Transport, Bear Mountain Orchards, and Union Pacific Railroad underscores the importance of a robust multimodal solution in maintaining a reliable supply chain for fresh produce.