At Interstate Cold Storage, our rail spurs can handle both standard 50-ft rail cars and newer “Super Cars” with loads up to 165,000 lbs. (4 truckloads) of product. Our customer service representatives work closely with Western, Genesee, Wyoming CFE, Maumee, CSX Corporation and local freight yards, so we can better manage the coordination of product loading/unloading and scheduling of your rail shipments. Most modern refrigerated cars are monitored via satellite for temperature accuracy, fuel-level tracking, and general maintenance, so you can rest assured that your product is well taken care of.
Not only is shipping by rail often a great decision from an economic perspective, but it also contributes to lessening the burden on our already crowded US interstate system. See our locations page for information about specific facilities.
In practice, the terms are used interchangeably. 'Cold storage' is the umbrella for temperature‑controlled warehousing across chilled, frozen, and ultra‑low environments; 'refrigerated warehousing' is sometimes used to refer to distribution‑oriented operations focused on dock activity and rapid turns. When evaluating providers, focus on the details around the services offered rather than the label.
Common zones include chilled/retail‑ready (34–38°F / 1–3°C), frozen (0 to –10°F / –18 to –23°C), and cool/ambient‑controlled (50–70°F / 10–21°C). Some facilities also offer deep‑freeze (≤ –20°F / –29°C) and ultra‑low (–80°C) storage for specialized needs.
Interstate's 5 multi‑temperature facilities can segment product by zone while maintaining separate sanitation and allergen controls.
Match your product's or program's requirements to a provider’s validated temperature ranges, certifications, and SOPs. As part of this, assess distribution network fit, redundancy (power, generators), technology (real‑time inventory and alarms), and scalability to handle peaks.
Click here for a full guide to choosing a cold storage provider.
Use proper packaging and palletization, maintain airflow, and minimize door time; segregate allergens and apply FIFO/FEFO to manage shelf life. Audit your cold storage provider’s HACCP/FSMA programs and review deviation and CAPA history regularly.
Third‑party cold storage lets you scale capacity up or down without the capital and lead time of building your own space. You gain access to specialized infrastructure, food‑safety expertise, and technology for visibility and compliance. Many providers also offer value‑added services and multi‑site networks to improve service levels and reduce risk.
Click here for a full breakdown of considerations and benefits of using an off-site 3PL cold storage facility.
