🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Fort Wayne, IN
- Route type: Local home-daily intermodal drayage
- Freight: Sealed 20’/40’/53’ containers (rail intermodal)
- Schedule: Appointment-based rail yard rotations, multiple short turns per shift
📋 Job Description
- Pre-trip & post-trip inspections in line with DOT Part 396 requirements
- ELD compliance using dispatch-integrated systems (Samsara / Geotab / Qualcomm)
- Container pickup from rail yards and delivery to regional distribution centers
- Tandem axle weight distribution checks and chassis securement procedures
- Strict gate-in/gate-out procedures at CSX and Norfolk Southern intermodal terminals
- Appointment-based multi-stop routing with tight dock scheduling windows
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
6+ months preferred in intermodal or container operations
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Chassis checks, occasional securement adjustments, yard activity exposure
Endorsements
TWIC preferred for rail yard access (not mandatory at all terminals)
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Slip-seat day cab operations based on terminal dispatch rotation
- Fleet average age: 2021–2024 mixed terminal fleet units
- Features: Freightliner Cascadia, Kenworth T680, Volvo VNL with collision mitigation, lane assist, forward-facing cameras
- Operational note: Equipment assignment depends on rail volume and daily chassis availability
🏠 Home Time
- Home daily based on completed rail-to-DC dispatch cycles
- Return timing can shift during Chicago interchange congestion or rail yard backlog periods
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Fort Wayne, IN → Chicago, IL via I-69 / I-94 (high-volume intermodal rail interchange, congestion at Chicago ramps)
- Fort Wayne, IN → Indianapolis, IN via I-69 / I-65 (regional DC replenishment, appointment-driven warehouse cycle)
- Fort Wayne, IN → Cleveland, OH via I-80 (rail-connected distribution freight, seasonal port-influenced volume shifts)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the truck governed?
Yes. Most fleet units are governed around 65–68 mph. This is tied to fuel policy, safety scoring, and intermodal terminal compliance requirements.
Are driver-facing cameras used?
Forward-facing cameras are standard. Some terminals may also run in-cab monitoring depending on customer account requirements and safety program level.
Is dispatch forced or assigned?
Loads are pre-planned through rail dispatch. Intermodal moves are assigned based on container availability, rail release timing, and yard congestion conditions.
What is the detention pay structure?
Detention begins after 2 hours at qualifying facilities and requires dispatch verification with ELD documentation. Payment is processed in the next payroll cycle and depends on receiver approval.
Are pets allowed?
Not consistently. Slip-seat and yard-based operations typically restrict pets due to equipment rotation and shared tractor assignments across drivers.
Is home time reliable under real traffic conditions?
Home time depends on rail release timing, Chicago interchange congestion, and inbound container availability. Late yard queues or rail delays can push return windows by several hours.
💼 Career Opportunities
Intermodal demand in Fort Wayne continues to track rail volume between Midwest distribution hubs and Chicago interchange corridors. Drivers entering this lane build consistent experience in container handling, yard procedures, and appointment-driven freight cycles that remain active even during broader freight slowdowns. Advancement paths typically include trainer roles, safety coordinator positions, and dispatch support for experienced drivers who understand rail timing and chassis flow. Some operators transition into dedicated regional lanes or owner-operator intermodal contracts after building terminal familiarity. Seniority can influence dispatch priority during peak rail congestion periods, especially when Chicago backlogs affect container release timing. Physical workload is moderate but consistent, with emphasis on accuracy, timing, and compliance over mileage.
🔗 Intermodal Rail Drayage Driver – CSX / Norfolk Southern Corridor – Fort Wayne, IN
Fort Wayne sits inside a high-frequency intermodal corridor tied to Chicago rail interchange networks and Indiana distribution hubs. Container flow between CSX and Norfolk Southern yards feeds retail and industrial DCs along I-69 and I-80 corridors. This local drayage role operates on tight appointment windows, where rail release timing and yard congestion directly shape dispatch cycles. Drivers handle sealed containers moving between terminals and warehouses with limited dwell time. Chicago rail bottlenecks, winter congestion on I-80, and peak retail surges can impact turnaround speed and ELD planning. Despite variability in rail timing, freight volume remains steady due to continuous Midwest distribution demand.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Intermodal Rail Drayage Driver – CSX / Norfolk Southern Corridor in Fort Wayne, IN.
