Rail and the Gateway Cities
Downey may be best known for its aerospace history and mid-century charm, but rail has always been part of its story. Located in the heart of the Gateway Cities region of southeast Los Angeles County, Downey sits near some of the most important freight corridors in the nation, including the lines that carry cargo inland from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. For residents, rail also means convenient access to downtown Los Angeles, Orange County, and destinations throughout California.
Whether you are a commuter seeking a stress-free alternative to freeway traffic or a shipper who needs cost-effective long-haul transport, understanding the rail operators serving the area helps you make better decisions. Below are the ten most important railway operators for Downey residents and businesses.
How We Evaluated These Operators
We considered network reach, reliability, relevance to Downey, safety record, customer experience, and investment in modernization. Both passenger and freight operators are included because each plays a distinct role in the local economy.
1. LA Metro Rail
LA Metro operates the regional light rail and subway network, and the C Line runs through Downey along the I-105 freeway with a station at Lakewood Boulevard. Riders can connect to the A Line toward Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles or travel west toward the LAX area. Affordable fares, frequent service, and ongoing expansion make Metro Rail the most practical everyday option for local riders.
2. Metrolink
Metrolink is Southern California's commuter rail system. Downey residents typically board at the nearby Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs station on the Orange County and 91/Perris Valley lines, gaining direct access to Union Station, Anaheim, Irvine, and Riverside. Comfortable bilevel coaches and onboard Wi-Fi make it a favorite for longer commutes.
3. Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific is one of the largest freight railroads in North America and a backbone of Southern California cargo movement. Its intermodal trains carry containers from the ports to distribution hubs across the country. For Downey manufacturers and importers, Union Pacific offers dependable long-distance service and a vast network of rail-served industrial sites.
4. BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway operates the other major transcontinental freight network in the region. Its Hobart Yard near Commerce is one of the busiest intermodal facilities in the country and is only a short drive from Downey. BNSF is known for strong on-time performance, heavy investment in track capacity, and growing use of lower-emission locomotives.
5. Amtrak
Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail from Los Angeles Union Station, including the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego and Santa Barbara as well as long-distance routes such as the Coast Starlight and Southwest Chief. Downey travelers can reach Union Station easily by Metro or Metrolink and continue their journey across the state or country.
6. Pacific Harbor Line
Pacific Harbor Line is a short-line railroad that provides switching and dispatching services within the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. While it does not run through Downey itself, it is critical to the freight that eventually reaches local warehouses. The company is widely recognized for pioneering cleaner locomotive technology in port operations.
7. Los Angeles Junction Railway
The Los Angeles Junction Railway, a BNSF subsidiary, serves industrial customers across Vernon, Commerce, and neighboring communities. It handles the first and last mile of rail freight for food processors, manufacturers, and distribution centers, giving businesses in southeast Los Angeles County direct access to the national rail network.
8. Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority
The Alameda Corridor is a 20-mile freight rail expressway connecting the ports to downtown rail yards, and its authority manages the infrastructure used by Union Pacific and BNSF. The corridor removed hundreds of street crossings, reducing traffic delays and emissions throughout the Gateway Cities, including routes used by Downey commuters.
9. Brightline West
Brightline West is developing a high-speed rail line between Southern California and Las Vegas, with a planned terminal in Rancho Cucamonga. Once operational, it will give Downey residents a fast, comfortable alternative to driving the I-15 corridor. The project represents a major shift toward modern high-speed passenger rail in the American West.
10. Herzog Transit Services
Herzog Transit Services is a contract operator that helps run and maintain commuter rail systems across the United States, including work in Southern California. While travelers may never see its name on a train, its expertise in operations, dispatching, and maintenance contributes to the reliability of the regional rail network.
Rail Trends Affecting Downey
Several developments are shaping the future of rail near Downey. Planning continues for the Southeast Gateway Line, a proposed light rail project that would connect the Gateway Cities more directly to downtown Los Angeles. Freight railroads are testing battery and hydrogen locomotives to comply with stricter air quality goals, and transit agencies are upgrading signals and stations to improve frequency and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a train station inside Downey?
Yes. The Metro C Line Lakewood Boulevard station sits in the I-105 median within city limits, and the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Metrolink station is a short drive or bus ride east.
Can businesses ship by rail from Downey?
Businesses typically truck containers to nearby intermodal yards such as BNSF Hobart or Union Pacific facilities in Commerce and the East Los Angeles area, where freight is loaded onto trains for long-distance movement.
Is rail commuting faster than driving?
During peak hours, rail is often faster and far more predictable than freeway driving, especially for trips to downtown Los Angeles or the LAX area.
Choosing the Right Rail Option
For daily commuting, LA Metro and Metrolink offer the best balance of convenience and cost. For travel across California, Amtrak is the go-to choice, with Brightline West poised to add a high-speed option. Businesses moving freight should compare Union Pacific and BNSF for intermodal service, keeping in mind the short-line and terminal partners that connect them to the ports. With so many options nearby, Downey remains one of the best-connected rail communities in Los Angeles County.