Shipping Tools

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.

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance Code	Plate 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 Gear	Mostly cushioning at end of railcar
Floor Type	Nailable steel
Anchors	Wall 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 Code	Plate 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 Gear	Mostly cushioning at end of railcar
Floor Type	Mostly steel or wood
Covers	Removable cover(s)
Troughs/Cradles	Longitudinal or transverse
Other Features

OPEN COIL

Open coil cars do not come fitted with protected covers.

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance Code	Plate 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 Gear	Standard draft gear cushioning at end of railcar
Floor Type	Mostly steel
Covers	Railcars travel without covers in "open" configuration
Troughs/Cradles	Mostly 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 Code	Plate 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 Gear	Cushioning at end of railcar
Floor Type	Steel, with or without risers
Covers	11'6" (for 263k cars) to 11'7" (for 286k cars)
Troughs/Cradles	Steel
Other Features

62’ BULKHEAD

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

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance Code	Plate 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 Gear	Mostly cushioning at end of railcar
Floor Type	Nailable steel reinforced or wood
Bulkhead Height (ft)	11'3" (for 263k cars) to 11'8" (for 286k cars)
Bulkhead Type	Steel or wood
Deck Configuration	Railcars 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

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance Code	Plate 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 Gear	Cushioning at end of railcar or friction draft gear
Floor Type	Standard or nailable steel
Deck Configuration	Six 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.

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance Code	Plate 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 Gear	Standard draft gear
Floor Type	Steel
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.

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance Code	Plate 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 Gear	Standard draft gear
Floor Type	Steel
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.

Note: The below are sample representative specifications.

Clearance Code	Plate 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 Gear	Standard draft gear
Gate Configurations	Gravity
Gate Dimensions	Various
Outlet Gates/Bays	3 compartments per railcar
Other Features

More Equipment & Railcar Resources

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Equipment Overview

Loading & Securement

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Loading & Securement Solutions

Moving Railcars into Service

Tools and resources for moving railcars into service, whether you’re using our equipment or yours.

Moving Railcars into Service

Intermodal Equipment Damage

Procedures for intermodal equipment maintenance, damage, repair and loss.

Intermodal Maintenance & Repair

Shipping Details by Industry

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RAILCAR GUIDE

BOX CARS

BOX CARS

COIL CARS

COVERED COIL

OPEN COIL

FLAT CARS

73’ CENTER-BEAM

62’ BULKHEAD

89’ FLAT CAR

GONDOLAS

52’ GONDOLA

65’ GONDOLA

HOPPERS

LARGE “JUMBO” COVERED HOPPER

More Equipment & Railcar Resources

Equipment Overview

Loading & Securement

Moving Railcars into Service

Intermodal Equipment Damage

Shipping Details by Industry

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MCON Tariff Announcement - NSRQ 70022 - Effective 05.01.25

Update | Severe Weather

Harrisburg —> Rutherford EMP Announcement

Shipping Tools

RAILCAR GUIDE

BOX CARS

BOX CARS

BOX CAR SPECIFICATIONS

COIL CARS

COVERED COIL

COVERED COIL SPECIFICATIONS

OPEN COIL

OPEN COIL SPECIFICATIONS

FLAT CARS

73’ CENTER-BEAM

73’ CENTER-BEAM SPECIFICATIONS

62’ BULKHEAD

62’ BULKHEAD SPECIFICATIONS

89’ FLAT CAR

89’ FLAT CAR SPECIFICATIONS

GONDOLAS

52’ GONDOLA

52’ GONDOLA SPECIFICATIONS

65’ GONDOLA

65’ GONDOLA SPECIFICATIONS

HOPPERS

LARGE “JUMBO” COVERED HOPPER

“JUMBO” COVERED HOPPER SPECS

More Equipment & Railcar Resources

Equipment Overview

Loading & Securement

Moving Railcars into Service

Intermodal Equipment Damage

Shipping Details by Industry

NEW TO NORFOLK SOUTHERN

POPULAR SHIPPING TOOLS

RAIL DEVELOPMENT

QUICK LINKS

CONTACT

NEW TO NORFOLK SOUTHERN

POPULAR SHIPPING TOOLS

RAIL DEVELOPMENT

QUICK LINKS

CONTACT