Find railcars for rent and keep shipping costs to a minimum. Unless your transportation business needs to maintain an inventory of rail cars and you can afford the associated expenses, pursuing your railcar leasing options is the way to go when in need of transporting any kind of freight.

Railcar leasing companies support moving products through services they offer, with railroads and other shippers as their primary customers. Leasing rail cars reduces maintenance costs significantly. You have a few options when considering your railroad car leasing options.

1. Flat railcars for rent or for lease are flat beds that can carry one or two containers or trailers at least forty feet long.

2. Spine rail cars are lighter in weight, but similar in design to flat rail cars and are more fuel efficient to use.

3. Well rail cars have a lower clearance and an indentation that allows room for double-stacking the containers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know your railroad leasing options in regard to leasing railroad cars

It shouldn't be a surprise that railcar leasing agreements come with various options. Rail car leases vary in length, may or may not include maintenance and repair service coverage, can cover new or used equipment, and some may come with administrative services that address government and industry accounting requirements.

I recommend: Chicago Freight Car Leasing Company offers up to a seven year lease with monthly payments on several types of railcars. First Union Rail offers several customized leasing options on flat and well cars.

Find tank cars for lease

If your business needs include shipping freight such as oil, fuel, solvents, chemicals, or any type of liquid, you need to locate a tank car leasing company that can provide the right size tank car with the appropriate features.

I recommend: GE Equipment Services, Rail Services offers a many leasing programs for several types of rail cars, including five different style tank cars. GATX Rail leases over a dozen types of railcars including a few tank cars.

Find railcars for lease that fit your budget

Once you have decided to lease railroad cars, you want to shop around for the best least agreement on the railcar that suits your business needs. Ask questions and always read the fine print on any contract. Make sure you know exactly what you are getting before signing on any lines.

I recommend: Rail Logistics has several lease offerings on all types of rail cars. They also have a fleet management program available. GLNX offers full service rail car operating leases for shippers. Search by state through Superpages for railroad car leasing companies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you currently own railcars and need to free up some cash, consider the sale/leaseback option. A railcar leasing company will purchase railcars from your fleet and then lease the cars back to you.