RTEX Railcar Leasing & Sales provides a wide range of freight railcars for lease and purchase across North America. Selecting the right railcar type is one of the most important decisions in rail freight — the wrong car for your commodity can mean higher costs, facility incompatibility, or product damage in transit.
Our team works closely with shippers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and rail-served facilities to match the right car to each commodity and operation. Browse the car types below, or contact us and we’ll help you find exactly what you need.
Freight Railcar Types
Not Sure Which Car Type You Need?
Use this quick reference to find the right railcar for your commodity. If your product isn’t listed or you’re unsure, contact our team — we’ll help you find the right fit.
| Your Commodity | Recommended Car Type | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Grain, corn, soybeans | Covered Hopper | Protects from moisture; gravity gate discharge at elevators |
| Plastic pellets & resins | Covered Hopper | Pneumatic outlet discharge; protects from contamination |
| Cement, fly ash, bentonite | Covered Hopper (PD) | Pressure differential discharge for fine powders |
| Coal | Open Top Hopper | Weather exposure acceptable; rapid or rotary dump at power plants |
| Crushed stone, ballast, sand | Open Top Hopper | Dense aggregate fits small cube cars; gravity gate discharge |
| Scrap metal, steel products | Gondola | Open top for crane/magnet loading; no bottom discharge needed |
| Lumber, paper, packaged goods | Boxcar | Enclosed protection from weather; forklift-accessible doors |
| Heavy machinery, pipe, beams | Flatcar | Open deck accommodates oversized loads; crane or side loading |
| Petroleum, ethanol, liquid chemicals | Tank Car | Sealed cylindrical tank; DOT-compliant for hazardous liquids |
| Liquid fertilizer | Tank Car | Handles liquid fertilizers with appropriate lining and fittings |
| Dry/granular fertilizer | Covered Hopper | Gravity gate discharge; roof protects hygroscopic products |
| Wood chips, cottonseed, biomass | Open Top Hopper (Large Cube) | High-side cars maximize volume for light-density bulk |
Let RTEX Find the Right Car for You
Not sure what you need, or can’t find the right car in the market? RTEX has the industry connections to source railcars others can’t find. Every transaction is handled directly by a principal of RTEX — no call centers, no runaround.