Railcars sing their own tune: How different car types serve our customers
By EUNICE ARCHILA
Staff Writer
At BNSF, moving freight safely and efficiently is what we do. Our 32,500-mile network connects industries, businesses and communities, and each railcar plays a key role in making that happen. From oversized equipment to fresh produce, different types of railcars are built for different jobs.
If railcars had theme songs, here’s what they would sound like.
Auto Cars – “Life Is a Highway” (Tom Cochrane, 1991)
Our automotive railcars keep vehicles moving, just like this road trip anthem. These railcars are designed to transport everything from sedans to SUVs.
We have three types of auto cars:
- Auto-Rack Bi-Level: Holds up to 10 large vehicles, like trucks and SUVs
- Auto-Max: A multi-deck, two-unit articulated car that carries up to 24 vehicles of various sizes
- Auto-Rack Tri-Level: Designed for 15 smaller passenger vehicles
With options for different car sizes, these railcars provide optimal space for efficient transport of vehicles.
🎶 Listen to Life is a Highway.
Flatcars – “I’m Still Standing” (Elton John, 1983)
Flatcars are versatile and open, built for adventure. These open-deck railcars transport everything from farm equipment to steel beams to military vehicles. Just like Elton John's resilient anthem, flatcars remain steadfast and reliable, no matter the cargo. They come in several variations, including bulkhead, chain tie-down and pole cars. One thing remains the same—they’re flat, standing strong through every journey.
🎶 Listen to I’m Still Standing.
Boxcars – “Don't Stop Believin'” (Journey, 1981)
Reliable and built for the long haul, boxcars have been a freight staple since the early days of railroading and are still ubiquitous today. When people picture a freight train, this is often the first car that comes to mind.
Boxcars transport a wide variety of goods, from packaged food to consumer products. Many go straight to their destinations, pulling up to facility loading docks for direct delivery. Variations include insulated, refrigerated and high-cube (extra tall) boxcars.
Just like Journey’s hit song, boxcars are a true classic that never goes out of style.
🎶 Listen to Don’t Stop Believin’.
Intermodal – “So Happy Together” (The Turtles, 1967)
Moving cargo across different modes of transportation—ships, trucks and trains—requires smooth transitions. That’s where intermodal comes in.
Just like The Turtles' timeless hit, intermodal is all about harmony and seamless coordination. Whether a container is transferring from a ship to a train or from rail to a truck, intermodal’s three modes of transportation work together to keep the supply chain moving.
🎶 Listen to So Happy Together.
Centerbeam – “Home” (Daughtry, 2006)
Homes don’t just appear—they’re built. And centerbeam cars help make that happen. These railcars transport lumber and essential supplies to construction sites, delivering the materials needed to build houses, schools and businesses. Like Daughtry’s heartfelt song, centerbeam cars bring everything needed to create the spaces we call home, ensuring that the materials arrive safely and efficiently.
🎶 Listen to Home.
Hopper Cars – “American Pie” (Don McLean, 1971)
Just like the song, some things evoke a sense of nostalgia and timelessness and for many that includes the smell of freshly baked sweets or bread. Hopper cars carry the ingredients that keep life sweet: grain, sugar, corn and flour. They also move other important commodities like fertilizer, clay and sand.
Just as "American Pie" captures the essence of enduring memories and traditions, hopper cars ensure that essential bulk goods arrive safely, preserving the quality and integrity of their cargo.
🎶 Listen to American Pie.
Gondola – “Simple Man” (Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1973)
Sometimes, simplicity is key. Gondolas are shallow, open-top railcars designed to transport raw materials like scrap metal, steel and construction debris. Gondolas don’t have extra frills, just straightforward, practical transportation for heavy-duty loads.
🎶 Listen to Simple Man.
Schnabel Car – “We Are the Champions” (Queen, 1977)
The Schnabel Car is the heavyweight champion of railcars. When the biggest, heaviest loads need to be transported, this specialized car is up to the task. With its ability to haul oversized cargo, the Schnabel ensures everything arrives safely—no matter how massive.
🎶 Listen to We Are the Champions.
From intermodal containers to hoppers, each railcar plays an important role in keeping our network moving forward. Like the best songs, they’ve stood the test of time, ensuring that whatever needs to be shipped gets delivered safely and efficiently.
Enjoy our railcar playlist on YouTube!
