Intermodal Rail Cars Key Terms

Get moving with some common intermodal rail cars terms

By Darcy Chadwick

Intermodal rail cars allow for quicker transportation of goods, since they can work easily with other modes of transportation. This can be beneficial in reducing costs. So before you invest time and money into the intermodal rail car business, you should be aware of the different types of rail cars available and how they can work to your advantage. You should also familiarize yourself with certification qualifications before setting your sights on the intermodal railway.

Flat rail cars

Flat rail cars can carry one or two containers that are at least 40 feet long. These freight cars do not possess a permanent roof or sides, allowing for larger items to be placed on top.
Try: Visit FreightCar America to see pictures of and learn more about flat rail cars.

Spine rail cars

Spine rail cars are generally more fuel efficient than any other rail cars. Capable of transporting containers that are more than 50 feet long, the spine rail cars are another effective mode of freight transportation.
Try: Check out PTI Forest Products by Rail to see photos of its railroad fleet, including spine rail cars.

Double-stack rail cars

Double-stack rail cars are designed so freight items can be stacked on top of each other. They are similar to well cars, which have depressed centers to allow for extra-tall containers to clear tunnels.
Try: Compare the differences and similarities between double-stack rail cars and well cars at Union Pacific. After reading the entry for double-stack, scroll down the page to the well car entry.

Articulated rail cars

Articulated rail cars can carry containers that are placed on multiple platforms. Well cars can be categorized as articulated rail cars.
Try: Learn more about articulated rail cars at Tacoma Rail.

C-TPAT certification

If you are in the intermodal rail car business, then the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification is recommended by the U.S. Customs and Border control. To obtain this certification, you have to adhere to detailed safety and security standards. If for any reason your shipments must come in via a U.S. port, then C-TPAT certification is effective in insuring the shipments' arrival.
Try: Learn more about C-TPAT certification at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Van grounding

Once the intermodal train has reached its destination, the containers undergo van grounding. This is when the containers are removed from the train.
Try: Learn how the containers are removed from the trains at the Intermodal Association of North America.