Quick answer
Freight-train weight can range enormously—from relatively light local trains to heavy bulk trains weighing many thousands of tons. There is no single 'average train weight' that describes every railroad operation.
What determines train weight
The number and type of cars, cargo density, car loading limits and locomotives all contribute. A train of loaded coal or ore cars can be far heavier than a similarly long train of empty cars.
Length and weight are not the same
A very long intermodal train can carry relatively light containers, while a shorter bulk train can be extremely heavy. Railroad planners care about both length and tonnage.
Why weight matters
Tonnage affects acceleration, grades, braking distance, locomotive requirements, fuel consumption and in-train forces.
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