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Customized solutions
Customized Shipping Solutions Built Around Your Business
Explore flexible rail options, specialized equipment and planning support for shipments that don’t fit a standard railcar.
Explore flexible rail options, specialized equipment and planning support for shipments that don’t fit a standard railcar.
Solutions built for shipments that don’t fit the mold
Not everything fits neatly into a railcar. For customers with unique shipping needs, we design custom solutions to move oversized and irregular loads across our network.
Our team reviews every aspect of your shipping requirements, including clearance limitations. We can begin planning your shipment before manufacturing starts.
What we ship
We move custom shipments between manufacturing centers, agricultural producers, ports and inland distribution networks.
See the products we move for customers nationwide.
- Machinery
- Wind and energy components
- Temperature-controlled shipments
Weight restrictions map
The BNSF weight restrictions map shows where heavier loads can travel across our network.
Oversized and heavy loads
BNSF defines an oversized load as more than 286,000 pounds on a 4-axle car or more than 480,000 pounds on an 8-axle car.
Railcars with 12 or more axles require a clearance review and often include empty buffer cars to distribute weight.
Frequently asked questions
What qualifies as an oversized shipment?
BNSF defines an oversized load as more than 286,000 pounds on a 4-axle car or more than 480,000 pounds on an 8-axle car. Loads that exceed standard height or width limits also require review.
What is a clearance review?
A clearance review confirms that your shipment can travel safely along its full route. Our team checks dimensions, weight and route restrictions before your shipment moves.
How early should I contact BNSF about a custom shipment?
Contact us as early as possible. We can begin planning before manufacturing starts, which gives our team time to resolve clearance and equipment questions
Why do some shipments include empty railcars?
Railcars with 12 or more axles often travel with empty buffer cars. The buffer cars distribute weight across the track structure and keep the shipment within safe limits.
How do I get started?
Connect with a BNSF shipping expert. We will review your shipment requirements and build a plan around them.
What qualifies as an oversized shipment?
BNSF defines an oversized load as more than 286,000 pounds on a 4-axle car or more than 480,000 pounds on an 8-axle car. Loads that exceed standard height or width limits also require review.
What is a clearance review?
A clearance review confirms that your shipment can travel safely along its full route. Our team checks dimensions, weight and route restrictions before your shipment moves.
How early should I contact BNSF about a custom shipment?
Contact us as early as possible. We can begin planning before manufacturing starts, which gives our team time to resolve clearance and equipment questions
Why do some shipments include empty railcars?
Railcars with 12 or more axles often travel with empty buffer cars. The buffer cars distribute weight across the track structure and keep the shipment within safe limits.
How do I get started?
Connect with a BNSF shipping expert. We will review your shipment requirements and build a plan around them.