Container Pickups at Inman & Hulsey Yards: Key Tips

Briefly explain why these two yards matter for import/export trucking from Georgia ports, especially for buyers using inland rail logistics to save time and money.

Overview of Inman Yard and Hulsey Yard

Understanding how Norfolk Southern’s Inman Yard and CSX’s Hulsey Yard function is key for anyone planning container pickups in the Atlanta area. These two facilities serve as critical links between the Port of Savannah and inland Georgia, helping to speed up freight movement while reducing long-haul trucking costs.

Norfolk Southern Inman Yard (Austell)

Inman Yard, operated by Norfolk Southern, is one of the busiest intermodal terminals in metro Atlanta. Located in Austell, this yard handles large volumes of containerized freight that arrive by rail directly from the Port of Savannah. Norfolk Southern runs one daily round-trip train between its Austell terminal and Savannah, making it a key inland hub for importers and exporters who want to avoid congestion at the port itself.

The yard specializes in double-stack intermodal transfers, allowing for efficient container handling and improved turnaround times. For exporters, this means faster rail access to ocean-bound vessels. For importers, it offers a streamlined path to metro Atlanta and beyond without relying on long, costly drayage from the coast.

Because of its proximity to major highways and industrial zones, Inman Yard plays a vital role in supporting distribution centers, warehouses, and logistics companies throughout the Atlanta region. It’s especially valuable for businesses looking to cut last-mile delivery times or consolidate container pickups from the port.

CSX Hulsey Yard (Atlanta)

CSX’s Hulsey Yard, located just east of downtown Atlanta, has recently seen renewed interest thanks to its revival as a “pop-up” inland terminal. In late 2021, Georgia Ports Authority designated the yard as a flexible cargo-handling site to help manage overflow from the Port of Savannah, particularly during peak shipping seasons.

While smaller than Inman Yard, Hulsey plays a dual role. It functions as a working freight terminal for CSX rail traffic—especially in connection with CSX’s Fairburn yard—and also as a redevelopment site with strong community involvement. In fact, the area surrounding Hulsey Yard has been the focus of long-term planning to create a more integrated urban space, with future infrastructure expected to blend freight activity with transit, green space, and mixed-use development.

CSX operates two trains daily through the area: one from Hulsey Yard and one from the larger Fairburn terminal, both linking back to Savannah. This gives logistics providers in central and east Atlanta an alternative pickup location that’s closer to city-based distribution hubs and warehouses.

Why These Yards Matter for Container Pickups

For businesses that rely on containerized freight—whether for import, export, or local distribution—knowing where and how to pick up your cargo can make a major difference in time, cost, and reliability. Norfolk Southern’s Inman Yard and CSX’s Hulsey Yard both offer clear advantages as inland terminals connected directly to Georgia’s busiest port. Here’s why they matter.

Time and Cost Advantages

One of the biggest benefits of using Inman or Hulsey Yard is the reduction in trucking distances from the Port of Savannah. Instead of sending trucks all the way to the coast (roughly 250 miles each way), containers are shipped inland by rail and picked up much closer to the final delivery point. This helps cut fuel costs, driver hours, and wear on vehicles—especially valuable for smaller carriers and budget-conscious shippers.

Both yards also offer faster turnaround times compared to direct port pickups. Since these yards are less congested and optimized for container transfers, drivers often face shorter wait times at the gate and faster lift operations. This allows for more runs per day and improved scheduling flexibility for dispatchers.

Another key advantage is double-stack rail efficiency. Georgia’s freight corridors are built to accommodate double-stacked containers, which means trains can carry twice the cargo with fewer trips. This not only reduces the carbon footprint of freight movement but also ensures more consistent flow of containers inland—minimizing delays and supply chain disruptions.

Intermodal Rail Expansion in Georgia

The growing importance of these yards is also tied to a major shift in Georgia’s freight strategy. The Georgia Ports Authority’s Mason Mega Rail project in Savannah has expanded the port’s rail capacity significantly, allowing for longer, faster trains to inland locations like Atlanta. This $220 million investment enables the Port of Savannah to move up to 1 million containers per year by rail—directly supporting facilities like Inman and Hulsey.

With port volumes steadily rising, the demand for inland rail connections is also growing. In early 2025, Georgia Ports reported record-breaking rail activity, with more than 52,000 containers moved by train in just one month—a 17% year-over-year increase. This trend is expected to continue as shippers look for more reliable and cost-effective ways to move goods inland.

As part of this expansion, both CSX and Norfolk Southern have adjusted their daily train schedules, adding more frequent service between Savannah and Atlanta’s intermodal hubs. This gives shippers and brokers more options to time their pickups, reduce dwell times, and respond faster to customer needs.

Logistics Considerations for Drivers and Brokers

When planning container pickups from inland rail yards like Inman (Norfolk Southern) and Hulsey (CSX), it’s not just about location—it’s about logistics. Understanding how each yard operates day-to-day can help drivers avoid delays, prevent billing issues, and keep freight moving smoothly. Below are key factors brokers and carriers should account for before sending a truck to either yard.

Scheduling Pickups

Pickup scheduling at both Inman and Hulsey Yards typically follows a hybrid model. Some carriers may secure priority access through appointment systems, especially when dealing with high-volume lanes or integrated logistics providers. However, most day-to-day pickups operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, which can lead to variability in wait times depending on the time of day and volume of inbound/outbound rail traffic.

Before dispatching a truck, it's essential to confirm that the container is released and cleared. This includes:

• Verifying the freight release from the steamship line.
• Ensuring Customs clearance, if applicable.
• Checking for any outstanding fees, such as demurrage or rail charges.
• Having the correct pickup number or container release code on hand.

Missing or incomplete paperwork is one of the top reasons trucks are turned away at the gate, wasting time and increasing costs. Coordinating closely with brokers, freight forwarders, or shipping lines can prevent these issues before they occur.

Yard Operations and Wait Times

Yard efficiency is critical, especially for drivers who operate under tight HOS (Hours of Service) regulations. At Inman Yard, dwell times and lift operations are generally streamlined due to its high-volume infrastructure and dedicated staffing. Typical lift times range between 30–60 minutes during regular hours, although delays can occur after train arrivals or during shift changes.

CSX Hulsey Yard, being smaller and more recently revived, can have more variability. While traffic is generally lighter, limited space and ongoing redevelopment around the site sometimes lead to traffic routing issues or temporary congestion. However, for city-based pickups, Hulsey often wins on convenience and travel time, especially for destinations inside the I-285 perimeter.

Here’s how they compare in terms of basic operations:

To improve efficiency at either yard, drivers should avoid peak train arrival times and plan around lunch breaks or shift changes, which can slow down operations. Using any available online tracking portals or carrier dispatch tools can help anticipate delays and better time yard arrivals.

Community and Infrastructure Impacts (Hulsey Yard)

While CSX Hulsey Yard functions as a freight terminal, its location in the heart of Atlanta makes it much more than just a logistics site. Surrounded by residential neighborhoods, green space corridors, and major transit lines, Hulsey Yard sits at the intersection of freight operations and urban life. For drivers and brokers, this means that container pickups here involve more than just scheduling—they’re part of a larger urban ecosystem that includes community planning, zoning regulations, and public transportation integration.

Redevelopment Planning

In 2017–2019, a community-driven master plan was developed for the area surrounding Hulsey Yard. Led by local organizations, planners, and neighborhood associations, the goal was to create a long-term vision that balanced the yard’s role in freight logistics with the evolving needs of nearby communities.

A key part of the plan involves integration with the Atlanta BeltLine, a major city project transforming old rail corridors into multi-use trails, parks, and future light rail. Hulsey Yard divides two major sections of the BeltLine (Eastside and Southside trails), so any activity at the yard has the potential to impact the flow of pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.

Public engagement shaped much of the planning process. Residents emphasized the importance of safe crossings, green buffers, and noise mitigation—especially as freight volumes grow. While CSX continues to use part of the yard for rail operations, the surrounding land is gradually being positioned for mixed-use redevelopment, including affordable housing, green space, and improved infrastructure that supports both freight and community use.

The result is a unique urban freight terminal that’s evolving within a broader urban renewal context, unlike traditional rail yards isolated in industrial zones.

Truck Access and Routing

One of the biggest operational challenges for drivers picking up containers from Hulsey Yard is navigating through dense, mixed-use urban neighborhoods. Local zoning laws and community preferences mean that heavy truck traffic is sometimes restricted or redirected, especially on streets not designed for large freight vehicles.

Traffic control measures, such as narrow intersections, low-clearance bridges, and time-based access limits, can impact which routes drivers can use to approach the yard. In some cases, trucks may need to detour to avoid school zones or residential areas during peak hours. This requires careful route planning and awareness of local regulations—especially for out-of-town drivers unfamiliar with Atlanta’s zoning overlays.

In addition, ongoing BeltLine development and street enhancements may lead to temporary lane closures or re-routing, particularly during construction phases. Coordination with city transportation departments and real-time GPS mapping is critical to avoid delays or citations.

Despite these challenges, Hulsey’s location close to central Atlanta offers a strategic advantage for short-haul deliveries, final-mile distribution, and businesses operating within the city core. But it demands tight coordination between logistics teams, drivers, and local infrastructure managers to ensure container pickups don’t disrupt community life—or your delivery schedule.

Tips for Smooth Container Pickups

Whether you're an independent driver or part of a logistics team, smooth container pickups from inland rail yards like Norfolk Southern’s Inman Yard or CSX’s Hulsey Yard depend on preparation and timing. Unlike ports that operate on highly structured appointment systems, inland yards can vary in efficiency depending on the day, train schedules, and surrounding traffic. Here are some practical tips to help you avoid delays and keep your pickups running on schedule.

Check Train Arrival Status Before Heading Out

Always verify that the inbound train carrying your container has arrived and been unloaded before dispatching a truck. At both Inman and Hulsey Yards, container availability is tied directly to rail arrival times, and delays are not uncommon due to congestion, weather, or rail network disruptions.

You can often check this status through:

• Terminal or rail carrier tracking portals
• Broker updates or freight forwarder notifications
• Yard-specific dispatch systems if integrated with your fleet software

Heading to the yard too early—before the container is available—can result in hours of wasted time, especially if there’s no space to wait near the gate.

Avoid Peak Congestion Times

Yard activity typically spikes around train arrivals, shift changes, and early mornings when many drivers rush to pick up before traffic builds. To save time, aim to schedule pickups:

• Mid-morning or mid-afternoon, once inbound containers are processed
• Outside of school zone hours or urban rush hours, especially near Hulsey Yard
• Away from lunch breaks, which can slow down lift operations at smaller yards

If your route includes city traffic (especially around Hulsey), factor in delays from construction zones, local traffic enforcement, or events near the Atlanta BeltLine corridor.

Use Real-Time Yard Tools or Dispatch Systems if Available

Many modern fleets and brokers now use real-time tracking and yard visibility tools to monitor:

• Gate queue length
• Container lift completion status
• Dwell times by yard zone

Norfolk Southern and CSX also provide tools for tracking containers and rail schedules, which can be integrated into dispatch workflows. If you're a driver, stay in touch with dispatch in case updates come through while you’re en route.

Using these tools helps avoid guesswork and allows you to reroute or delay pickup when yard conditions aren’t favorable.

Prepare Backup Options in Case of Train Delays

Train delays are part of the game in intermodal logistics. Have a contingency plan ready:

• Know which containers can be prioritized or rescheduled
• Keep drivers flexible in their assignments when possible
• Communicate with warehouse teams or end customers about ETA changes

If a container isn’t yet available or lift equipment is backed up, it may be more efficient to reroute the driver to another nearby delivery or pickup rather than have them sit idle.

Having backup plans—especially for time-sensitive loads—can keep your operation moving, even when the rail schedule doesn’t cooperate.

Smart planning and real-time awareness are the keys to success when dealing with inland rail yards. By staying proactive and flexible, you’ll reduce idle time, avoid penalties, and make container pickups at Inman or Hulsey smoother and more predictable every time.