Farley Transportation Co., Inc., Systems Terminal, Inc. And Piggyback Trailermate, Inc. v. Santa Fe Trail Transportation Company
Opinion
Opinion
Beezer, J.
Farley Transportation Co., Systems Terminal, Inc., and Piggyback Trailermate, Inc. (collectively “Farley”) brought this action against Santa Fe Trail Transportation Co. (“Santa Fe”), alleging an antitrust conspiracy in violation of sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act ( 15 U.S.C. §§ 1 , 2). Pursuant to a jury verdict, the district court entered judgment in favor of Farley. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for a new trial on the issue of damages.
I
BACKGROUND
This case involves a common transportation arrangement referred to as “piggybacking.” Under this arrangement, truck trailers are loaded onto flat railroad cars and shipped to their destination. If, for example, a company wanted to send a shipment of goods from a specific location in Los Angeles to a specific location in Chicago, the goods would be loaded into a truck trailer and driven to a railroad yard in Los Angeles. The trailer would be loaded onto a flat railroad car and shipped to Chicago. The trailer would then be removed from the railroad car and driven to its destination. This arrangement combines the convenience of trucking with the cost efficiency of railroads.