Intermodal Rail Car Basics

Move cargo from the open road to the open sea with intermodal rail cars
By Virginia Franco, Freelance Writer Intermodal rail cars carry freight by containers that can be easily transferred to another form of transportation, generally truck or ship. Intermodal rail car transportation is more efficient than traditional rail cars. These rail cars allow freight to be transferred more quickly and with greater ease, which ultimately reduces freight handling costs and risk of damage to the cargo.

This article will briefly educate you on intermodal rail car basics, to give you a better idea of what to look for when checking out rail cars for sale. When interviewing rail car makers and evaluating rail car producers, be sure to consider the following questions about railroad cars:

1. What type of train cars for sale suits your intermodal transportation needs?

2. What rail car size will best suit your cargo carrying needs?

3. Where should one go for rail car repair and spare parts?

Determine what type of intermodal rail cars suits your transportation needs

Flat, spine and well are the three main types rail cars used in intermodal transportation. Flat rail cars can carry containers or trailers. Spine cars are a lighter weight version of flat cars. Well cars have a depression that lowers the clearance and allows for containers to be double-stacked.
Try:  Boxcar Service's inventory includes intermodal flat cars. Capital Rail also has flat cars specially designed for intermodal use between the United Kingdom and Europe. They can also use the Channel Tunnel.

Decide on the size specifications for the railroad cars you need

The most common container sizes used in international commerce are 20 and 40 feet long. Some go as large as 48-foot units or are designed with added height.
Try:  On-Site Storage Solutions sells 20- and 40-foot containers that also come refrigerated. The inventory of Intermodal Container Services, or ICS, includes 20-foot, 49-foot standard, and 40-foot high cubes which stand at nine feet, six inches.

Locate spare parts and service dealers for railroad cars

Maintaining intermodal rail containers is critical, as these containers must withstand the elements on highways when on the backs of trucks, on the railroads when on the backs of train cars, and at sea when on ships. During these journeys, they are exposed to a variety of temperatures for days at a time.
Try:  Greenbrier provides complete wreck repair as well as mobile repair for intermodal rail cars. American Railcar Industries offers similar repair services, as well as preventive maintenance programs.

• Container leasing is a popular option for those wishing to use intermodal rail cars to transport goods and products. Leasing is similar to renting in that you have to put down an initial deposit and then pay monthly.