http://www.allstatepete.com/xl/01252368.jpg

II suppose you are talking about a freight Reefer 53' type trailer.

Specifications:

53 - 48ft. Reefer Trailer.
Air Suspension
Swing Doors
Axles: 3 x or 2 x.
Loading Capacity: 26 Ton. Net.
Inner Dimensions: 14 - 15 meters in Length.
Width: 2.45 - 2.5 meters.
Heavy duty side walls & solid floor.
Thermo King or Carrier cooling units.

It seems that the cheapest way to transport a Reefer only from Baltimore to Los Angeles is by Intermodal Cost-Reduction Shipping, according with the price difference from all three modes of transportation which suggest a combination of both truck and rail services could be use. This way lower fuel cost and low labor are obtained at the expense of less flexibility limited by train routes and slow shipping times.

Quote from "www.business.com", Guide to Intermodal Transportation Basics
Intermodal shipping is a very efficient way to transport goods, by Mark McGee.

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Intermodal transport works on a very simple principle: move cargo from one place to another while handling it as little as possible. This shipping method typically requires specialized equipment that can move shipping containers without disrupting their contents, which is why most shippers use intermodal transport companies for their shipping.

Intermodal transportation services operate in nearly every shipping capacity. Intermodal trucking companies carry goods that are pre-packed either on pallets or in special shipping containers to other intermodal sites. From the trucks, the goods are loaded onto a train or boat for further transport. If the item wasn’t already in an enclosed shipping container, it will typically be put in one at this step. After it has gone through this leg of its journey, it will be loaded back onto a truck and taken to its final destination. Think about these intermodal transportation basics:

1. Intermodal trucking companies are usually the first and last step in any intermodal shipping operation.

2. Trains perform most of the domestic or near domestic intermodal transport.

3. Waterborne companies make up the largest part of international intermodal shipping.
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Here are the best contacts and resources to help you get it done. As detailed price comparison can only be obtain by direct request you should check the links below for various transport companies and their contact info where you can obtain information for the cheapest carrier.

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Use an Intermodal Trucking Company for Your Basic Shipping Needs.
While the majority of intermodal transportation is done through boats and trains, the early part is almost always trucks. You need a good overroad company to transport your goods from their point of origin to the next step in transports. At the other end of the transport chain, you need an overroad company to pick up your cargo and take it to its final destination.

I recommend: RSI Logistics http://rsilogistics.com/rail.aspx has many overland shipping capabilities. They work throughout much of the continental U.S. using both trucks and trains. Bridge Terminal Transport http://www.bttinc.com/content.asp?ID=24 has a wide shipping area and specializes in ship to land transport.

Find a Railway Intermodal Transportation Service.
One of the most efficient means of transporting cargo from one place to another is using trains. Trains have a low cost to operate, and they transfer that through low-cost shipping. Much of the domestic shipping in the U.S. and Europe is done using trains.

I recommend: JB Hunt http://www.jbhunt.com/intermodal/services.html is a well-known and respected logistics company. They ship all over the continental U.S., Canada, Alaska and Mexico. They work closely with both truck and waterborne intermodal companies. CH Robinson https://www.chrwonlinenew.com/ has both a domestic and an international presence. They have a wide range of domestic shipping options but can also arrange rail shipping in Europe, if needed.

Locate Waterborne Intermodal Shipping Companies.
When shipping internationally, waterborne transport is a safe and reliable method of moving cargo. Cargo ships rent out space to hundreds of different companies with every voyage. This means that the cost of moving the cargo is split between many different people, and the overall cost is very low.

I recommend: Freight Dynamics http://www.freightdynamics.com/ is a well-known logistics company that operates in nearly all areas of shipping, including waterborne. Maersk http://www.maersk.com/en/Pages/Frontpage.aspx maintains one of the largest shipping systems in the world: water, air, land and rail. They have a wide selection of waterborne transport systems available.
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Quote from "airlandseaexpress.com"

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Intermodal transportation is a combination of modes of transportation, but generally implies the use of both truck and rail services. Containers are picked up and delivered just like a normal truckload. However, the transit from city to city is carried out using specialized equipment via rail. Special interchangeable containers are used allowing goods to be transferred from ship to rail to truck without having to be repacked. It saves money by lowering fuel cost and decreasing labor by using the same container for all modes of transport.

Intermodal Cost-Reduction can be very significant. Drawbacks include less flexibility, as firms are limited to places where there are train routes, and slower shipping times.

Intermodal Transportation should be used when shipments:

1) Are between 10,000 and 45,000 pounds
2) Traveling more than 1,000 miles between major metro areas
3) Can practically use 40’, 48’, or 53’ trailers and containers.
4) Expedited service is not needed, 4-12 days transit time depending on distance.
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Source(s):
http://www.business.com/directory/transportation_and_logistics/rail_and_int...

http://airlandseaexpress.com/mode-of-transport.php

http://www.accessamericatransport.com/rail-services.asp

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Instead of looking for traditional fixed prices, you should place your transport in a shipping marketplace and open it for bids from people who might be interested. You will get much better prices that way.

http://www.uship.com/ is a great place for this, and it works in an auction kind of way, so people will bid for your transport. This will lower the final price you will have to pay.

Hope it helps.
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Why not just hire a trucker w/rig to drive your trailer.
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Long haul - major cities - rail will save a bunch but will take longer and you will need to contact a rail carrier company to get your refr on and off the train. You'll also need to make arrangements to keep the refr running, but the rail carrier (or alternately a multi-modal freight hauler) can set that up.
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