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RAILCAR GUIDE

Norfolk Southern offers railcar capacity across a number of strategic, interchangeable car types that serve a wide variety of markets. The below guide focuses on the main railcar types we provide for standard commodities. Please note that the specifications listed in this guide are sample representative specifications and may vary over time as older cars age out and new cars are added to our fleet. 

Looking for intermodal or automotive? Visit Automotive and Intermodal Equipment

To discuss select features of these equipment types, or equipment needs beyond the main options listed below, please reach out to your marketing representative.

BOX CARS

Used primarily for paper/pulp/fiber products, consumer goods, food & beverage, lumber & panels, and agricultural products.

BOX CARS

The primary boxcar type offered to Norfolk Southern customers is a 60-foot, plate F, double-door boxcar.

Norfolk Southern Boxcar 

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance CodePlate F
Inside Length (ft)60'9"                         
Inside Width (ft)                9'6"               
Inside Height (ft)13'
Outside Length (ft)68'5"
Outside Width (ft)10'8"
Outside Height (ft)17'
Tare Weight (lbs.)82,500
Load Limit (lbs.)203,500
Cubic Capacity (cuft)7,550
Gross Weight on Rail (GWR, lbs.) 286,000
Draft GearMostly cushioning at end of railcar
Floor TypeNailable steel
AnchorsWall and floor anchors
Door Type Double 8' plug doors
Door Width (ft)16'
Door Height (ft)12'4''
Other Features 

COIL CARS

Coil cars are gondola cars specifically designed for the transportation of coils. Coil cars run with or without covers. The primary loading method supported by coil cars is transverse (cross-trough) loading.

COVERED COIL

Coil cars that are fitted with cover(s) for protection of lading as required.

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance CodePlate B or C (mostly plate B)
Inside Length (ft)42'0" (for 286k cars)                         
Inside Width (ft)                7'4" (for 286k cars)            
Inside Height (ft)3'0" (for 286k cars)
Outside Length (ft)51'11" (for 286k cars)
Outside Width (ft)10'3" (for 286k cars)
Outside Height (ft)14'0" (for 286k cars)
Tare Weight (lbs.)61,000
Load Limit (lbs.)225,000
Gross Weight on Rail (GWR, lbs.)Mostly 286,000
Draft GearMostly cushioning at end of railcar
Floor TypeMostly steel or wood
CoversRemovable cover(s)
Troughs/CradlesLongitudinal or transverse
Other Features 

OPEN COIL

Open coil cars do not come fitted with protected covers.

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance CodePlate B or C (mostly plate B)
Inside Length (ft)52'6" (for 286k cars)                       
Inside Width (ft)                9'6" (for 286k cars)       
Inside Height (ft)4'8" (for 286k cars)
Outside Length (ft)57'10" (for 286k cars
Outside Width (ft)10'7" (for 286k cars)
Outside Height (ft)8'4" (for 286k cars)
Tare Weight (lbs.)76,500
Load Limit (lbs.)209,500
Gross Weight on Rail (GWR, lbs.)Mostly 286,000
Draft GearStandard draft gear cushioning at end of railcar
Floor TypeMostly steel
CoversRailcars travel without covers in "open" configuration
Troughs/CradlesMostly longitudinal
Other Features 

FLAT CARS

Used for pipe, steel plate, steel beams, forest products, lumber & panels.

73’ CENTER-BEAM

The 73-foot Center-Beam car primarily supports transportation of forest products (e.g., lumber).

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance CodePlate B or C
Inside Length (ft)73'0"                    
Inside Width (ft)                8'6" (for 263k cars) to 9'4" (for 286k cars)        
Outside Length (ft)79'7" (for 263k cars) to 80'0" (for 286k cars)
Outside Width (ft)15'6"
Outside Height (ft)15'6"
Tare Weight (lbs.)62,700 (for 263k cars) to 62,500 (for 286k cars)
Load Limit (lbs.)200,300 (for 263k cars) to 223,500 (for 286k cars)
Gross Weight on Rail (GWR, lbs.)263,000 or 286,000
Draft GearCushioning at end of railcar
Floor TypeSteel, with or without risers
Covers11'6" (for 263k cars) to 11'7" (for 286k cars)
Troughs/CradlesSteel
Other Features 

62’ BULKHEAD

The 62-foot Bulkhead car primarily supports transportation of steel products (e.g., plate, beams).

Bulkhead car shipping steel

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance CodePlate B or C
Inside Length (ft)62'0"                  
Inside Width (ft)                10'4" (for 263k cars) to 10'6" (for 286k cars)     
Outside Length (ft)73'4" (for 263k cars) to 73'6" (for 286k cars)
Outside Width (ft)10'4" (for 263k cars) to 10'7" (for 286k cars)
Outside Height (ft)15'0" (for 263k cars) to 15'5" (for 286k cars)
Tare Weight (lbs.)80,500 (for 263k cars) to 83,400 (for 286k cars)
Load Limit (lbs.)182,500 (for 263k cars) to 202,600 (for 286k cars)
Gross Weight on Rail (GWR, lbs.)263,000 or 286,000
Draft GearMostly cushioning at end of railcar
Floor TypeNailable steel reinforced or wood
Bulkhead Height (ft)11'3" (for 263k cars) to 11'8" (for 286k cars)
Bulkhead TypeSteel or wood
Deck ConfigurationRailcars may be equipped with tie-down devices, risers or stake pockets
Other Features 

89’ FLAT CAR

The 89-foot Flat Car primarily supports the loading of pipe products

Flat Car shipping pipe 

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance CodePlate G
Inside Length Range (ft)89'4"            
Inside Width Range (ft)          9'3"
Outside Length Range (ft)94'8"
Outside Width Range (ft)10'6"
Outside Height Range (ft)3'8"
Tare Weight Range (lbs.)72,000 or 91,000
Load Limit Range (lbs.)148,000 or 195,000
Gross Weight on Rail (GWR, lbs.)220,000 or 286,000
Draft GearCushioning at end of railcar or friction draft gear
Floor TypeStandard or nailable steel
Deck ConfigurationSix nylon strap winches, vibration isolation devices, lading anchors, risers
Other Features 

GONDOLAS

Used for scrap metal, HBI, steel slabs, pig Iron.

52’ GONDOLA

This is the primary gondola type offered by Norfolk Southern, and caters to a wide range of markets, incl. scrap metals, HBI, pig iron and slabs.

Norfolk Southern Gondola car

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance CodePlate B or C (mostly plate B)
Inside Length (ft)52'6"                     
Inside Width (ft)                9'6"        
Inside Height (ft)5'0" (263k cars) to 5'6" (286k cars)
Outside Length (ft)57'2" (263k cars) to 57'7" (286k cars)
Outside Width (ft)10'7"
Outside Height (ft)8'7" (263k cars) to 9'2" (286k cars)
Tare Weight (lbs.) 70,300 (263k cars) to 65,000 (286k cars)
Load Limit (lbs.)192,700 (263k cars) to 217,200 (286k cars)
Gross Weight on Rail (GWR, lbs.)263,000 to 221,000
Draft GearStandard draft gear
Floor TypeSteel
Other Features 

65’ GONDOLA

The 65-foot, longer gondola configuration may be a better fit for select products based on product type, weight, density, and other specifications.

Larger Gondola Car

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance CodePlate B
Inside Length (ft)65'6" (263k cars) to 66'0" (286k cars)                 
Inside Width (ft)                9'0"   
Inside Height (ft)5'6" (263k cars) to 6'0" (286k cars)
Outside Length (ft)70'1" (263k cars) to 71'1" (286k cars)
Outside Width (ft)10'0" (263k cars) to 10'1" (286k cars)
Outside Height (ft)9'1" (263k cars) to 9'8" (286k cars)
Tare Weight (lbs.)72,000 (263k cars) to 68,800 (286k cars)
Load Limit (lbs.)191,000 (263k cars) to 217,200 (286k cars)
Gross Weight on Rail (GWR, lbs.)263,000 or 286,000
Draft GearStandard draft gear
Floor TypeSteel
Other Features 

HOPPERS

Used for pipe, steel plate, steel beams, forest products, lumber & panels

LARGE “JUMBO” COVERED HOPPER

Norfolk Southern’s strategic covered hopper fleet is primarily focused on supporting agricultural flows. Additional equipment types may be available in smaller quantities for misc. commodities.

Covered Hopper Agricultural 

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance CodePlate C
Outside Length (ft)60'1"
Outside Width (ft)10'8"
Outside Height (ft)15'6"
Tare Weight (lbs.)63,600
Load Limit (lbs.)222,400
Cubic Capacity (cuft)5,161

 

 Gross Weight on Rail (GWR, lbs.) 286,000
Draft GearStandard draft gear
Gate ConfigurationsGravity
Gate DimensionsVarious
Outlet Gates/Bays3 compartments per railcar
Other Features 

More Equipment & Railcar Resources

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Loading & Securement

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Moving Railcars into Service

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Intermodal Equipment Damage

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Shipping Details by Industry

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