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Quick answer
Freight trains carry an enormous range of goods: grain, food, automobiles, lumber, steel, coal, chemicals, petroleum products, construction materials, machinery and intermodal containers filled with consumer and industrial products.
The railcar usually tells you something about the cargo
Boxcars
Packaged goods, paper products and other freight needing enclosure.
Covered Hoppers
Grain, cement, plastic pellets and other dry bulk commodities.
Tank Cars
Liquids, gases and chemical products in specialized tanks.
Gondolas
Steel, scrap, aggregates and other rugged bulk loads.
Well Cars
Intermodal shipping containers stacked efficiently for long-distance movement.
Refrigerated Cars
Temperature-sensitive food and other products requiring controlled conditions.
Carload versus intermodal
Traditional carload freight uses railcars designed around particular commodities or loading methods. Intermodal trains carry standardized containers or trailers that can transfer between rail, truck and ship without unloading the cargo inside.
Why rail works well for freight
Rail is especially useful for moving large volumes and heavy loads over long distances. Different car designs allow railroads to match equipment to the physical needs of the commodity.
Identify what you see
Not every load is visible, but the shape of the railcar is often the first clue. Use our identification guide to learn the major freight-car families and what they are built to carry.
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