Twin Falls, ID Railyards

Regional agricultural powerhouse with Eastern Idaho Railroad’s Twin Falls Yard handling over 2 million tons of potatoes, grain, and food products annually, serving as a critical freight hub for southern Idaho’s Magic Valley region.

Overview of the Intermodal Railyards

Powerful water cascades down towering basalt cliffs at Shoshone Falls in Idahos Twin Falls showcasing immense force and spray

The Twin Falls Rail Terminal, operated by Eastern Idaho Railroad (EIRR), anchors the city’s rail infrastructure with a 74.5-mile subdivision, a central yard, and direct interchange with Union Pacific at Minidoka, supporting bulk and agricultural shipments.

A gray freight train travels along a rural track in Twin Falls Idaho under a bright sky

Twin Falls features a dedicated transload and intermodal facility managed by EIRR, enabling efficient transfer of potatoes, grains, and food products between railcars and trucks, with capacity for high-cube and bulk shipments to regional processors and national markets.

Market Size and Economic Impact

Twin Falls’ rail network moves over 2 million tons of freight annually, primarily agricultural commodities, supporting more than 1,200 direct and indirect jobs. The rail sector contributes over $150 million to the Magic Valley economy, ranking among Idaho’s top three rail freight hubs.

Competitive Landscape

Eastern Idaho Railroad: Operates 365 miles, including Twin Falls Yard, with direct UP interchange at Minidoka and Idaho Falls
Union Pacific: Provides Class I connectivity for outbound bulk, food, and agricultural shipments to West Coast and Midwest markets
Regional Transloaders: Local operators offer specialized bulk and containerized transloading for food processors and agri-businesses

Opportunities

Food Processing Expansion: Growth in potato and dairy processing drives increased outbound rail shipments and new facility investments
Intermodal Potential: Regional demand for containerized exports supports future intermodal service development in Twin Falls
Agri-Business Clusters: Concentration of food processors and cold storage facilities creates opportunities for rail-served industrial parks

Challenges

Limited Intermodal Service: Absence of direct container service restricts access to global export markets for local shippers
Infrastructure Age: Legacy yard and track infrastructure require upgrades to support heavier axle loads and modern equipment
Seasonal Volume Swings: Harvest-driven peaks in agricultural shipments challenge yard capacity and scheduling flexibility

Trade and Logistics Trends

Potato Shipments: Twin Falls remains Idaho’s leading rail origin for processed potato products and fresh shipments
Grain Exports: Steady outbound grain volumes support regional elevators and food processors
Dairy Logistics: Growth in dairy production drives inbound feed and outbound finished product rail movements

Future Outlook

Yard Modernization: Planned upgrades to Twin Falls Yard will increase capacity and support heavier railcars and longer trains
Intermodal Feasibility: Ongoing studies evaluate demand for direct container service to West Coast ports
Industrial Park Growth: New rail-served industrial parks are attracting food processors and logistics providers

Recommendations

Yard Expansion: Invest in additional track and siding capacity to accommodate peak harvest volumes and future growth
Intermodal Partnerships: Collaborate with Union Pacific and regional shippers to pilot container-on-flatcar service
Infrastructure Renewal: Prioritize replacement of legacy track and yard assets to improve reliability and safety

Twin Falls, ID

Primary railyard facility

Twin Falls anchors southern Idaho’s rail network, connecting the Magic Valley’s 100,000+ population and food processing clusters to Union Pacific’s transcontinental routes, supporting regional trade with the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Southwest.

Strategic Locations

Strategically located at the heart of Idaho’s Magic Valley, Twin Falls connects regional food processors and agricultural producers to Union Pacific’s national network, linking the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Gulf Coast export corridors.

Industrial Focus

Twin Falls’ rail operations serve a diverse industrial base, including potato processing, grain milling, dairy production, and food distribution. Over 70% of rail volume is agricultural, with the remainder supporting manufacturing and regional warehousing.

Where you'll go

Things to know

Rail Operations

Railroad Arrival: Twin Falls became a rail hub in 1909 with the completion of the Twin Falls Branch, spurring agricultural growth

Facilities & Services

Snake River Location: The city’s proximity to the Snake River Canyon enabled irrigation, transforming the region into a top potato producer

Location Benefits

Food Processing Center: Home to major potato, dairy, and grain processors, Twin Falls drives Idaho’s $8 billion agri-food economy

Additional Information

Innovation Corridor: Partnerships with the College of Southern Idaho foster workforce training and logistics innovation for rail-served industries