Trucking: Novice Importer Needing Guidance, cube containers, ocean containers

Question
Boy am I glad I found your website.
We're beginning an import business and we'll be importing about 100 full 40' containers in our first year.
I've been calling to get rates for our first shipment which is 14 standard 40' and 6 40' high cube containers arriving by BNSF railroad to MN and 14 standard 40' and 5 40' high cube containers arriving by bnsf railroad to IL.  Do I use the same trucking company for both?  Will it be one rate per container?  Will the fact that we will have 100 containers in the first year (which we think is pretty generous) affect the rate?  What else do I need to know?

Answer
There are many variables that can impact both cost and service.  I would start by contacting drayage carriers that specialize in handling ocean containers.  Get competitive quotes but also ask lots of questions to learn what you can from each.  You will soon become well versed in your particular market dynamics.  Check this directory to get started:
http://www.loadmatch.com/directory/drayage.cfm?city_code=MSP&category=none
http://www.loadmatch.com/directory/drayage.cfm?city_code=CHI&category=none
If you haven't checked it out already the BNSF website has good general intermodal info: http://www.bnsf.com/markets/intermodal/index.html
Hope this helps.
Jim.