Barstow, CA Railyards

Overview of the Intermodal Railyards

Barstow Yard, operated by BNSF Railway, is the second largest classification yard west of the Rockies, spanning 600 acres with 48 tracks. The new Barstow International Gateway will add 4,500 acres of integrated rail, intermodal, and transloading facilities, directly connecting to BNSF’s Southern Transcon and national network.

Barstow’s intermodal complex features advanced transfer capabilities, enabling seamless movement of containers between rail, truck, and warehouse. The Barstow International Gateway will process international containers from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, using clean-energy equipment for efficient staging and train assembly.

Market Size and Economic Impact

Barstow’s rail infrastructure currently handles over 90 trains and more than 8,000 railcars daily, supporting over 1,000 direct rail jobs. The $1.5 billion Barstow International Gateway is projected to create 20,000 new jobs and generate billions in regional economic impact, cementing Barstow’s role as the largest rail hub in the western U.S.

Competitive Landscape

• BNSF Railway: Operates Barstow Yard and the Southern Transcon, with 32,500 miles of track and nearly 8,000 locomotives nationwide
• Intermodal Operations: Barstow International Gateway will feature on-site warehouses and direct port-to-rail container transfer
• Regional Logistics: Barstow’s location enables direct connections to Southern California ports, the Midwest, and national distribution centers

Opportunities

• Inland Port Expansion: Barstow International Gateway will boost capacity for transloading and domestic distribution
• Supply Chain Efficiency: Direct rail transfer from ports to Barstow reduces truck congestion and accelerates cargo velocity
• Clean Energy Leadership: Advanced cargo-handling equipment and sustainable design position Barstow as a green logistics hub

Challenges

• Infrastructure Bottlenecks: Existing yard capacity is strained by rising container volumes and port demand
• Workforce Development: Rapid expansion requires skilled labor and training for advanced logistics operations
• Environmental Compliance: Meeting California’s strict air quality and emissions standards is a continuing challenge

Trade and Logistics Trends

• Intermodal Surge: Growth in international containerized freight from Pacific ports
• E-commerce Demand: Increased rail shipments driven by retail and distribution center expansion
• Domestic Transloading: Shift from global to domestic containers for inland U.S. distribution

Future Outlook

• Barstow International Gateway: $1.5B project will add 4,500 acres of new rail, intermodal, and warehouse capacity
• Automation and Sustainability: Facility will deploy clean-energy cargo handling and digital logistics systems
• Regional Growth: Projected 20,000 new jobs and expanded economic activity across the High Desert region

Recommendations

• Capacity Expansion: Accelerate construction of Barstow International Gateway to meet future freight demand
• Workforce Training: Partner with local institutions to develop logistics and rail operations talent pipelines
• Environmental Innovation: Invest in zero-emission equipment and green infrastructure for sustainable operations