Covered Hopper Car Leasing & Sales

RTEX Railcar Leasing & Sales provides covered hopper railcars for lease and purchase across North America. Covered hoppers are the go-to solution for shippers moving dry bulk commodities that require protection from moisture, contamination, and the elements. Whether you need a single car or a dedicated fleet, RTEX offers flexible covered hopper lease terms tailored to your operation — backed by family ownership and industry experience that traces back to 1975.

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What Is a Covered Hopper Railcar?

A large cube covered hopper — one of the most common railcar types in North America

A covered hopper is a freight railcar designed to carry dry bulk commodities in enclosed, hopper-shaped bays that discharge from the bottom. The enclosed roof protects cargo from rain, humidity, and contamination during transit — making it essential for commodities where product integrity is critical.

Covered hoppers load from the top through roof hatches. The method of unloading depends on the car’s configuration — either by gravity through bottom outlet gates, via a pneumatic outlet connection, or through a pressure differential system. They are a staple of the North American freight network, operated by Class I railroads, short lines, and private shippers alike.

Cars can also be lined to protect food-grade or corrosive commodities from contact with the car’s interior.

Covered Hopper Discharge Types

The most important distinction when selecting a covered hopper is how the car unloads. There are three primary discharge systems — each suited to different commodities and facility equipment:

Pressure differential outlet system on covered hopper

Discharge Type 1

Pressure Differential (PD)

PD cars are loaded through roof hatches at the top and discharge through outlet pipes at the bottom using pressurized air injected into the car. The air fluidizes fine, powdery products — causing them to flow like a liquid. Designed specifically for products that will not flow freely on their own. The outlet piping runs along the underside of the car.

Best for: Cement, fly ash, flour, bentonite clay, and other fine powder products

Discharge Type 2

Pneumatic Outlet

Pneumatic outlet cars are loaded through roof hatches at the top and unload through a pneumatic outlet — typically a 4” connection — using vacuum or pressure from the receiving facility’s system. The product itself flows freely; the pneumatic system simply conveys it from the outlet to its destination. Heavily utilized in the plastics industry.

Best for: Plastic pellets, polymer resins, PVC, polypropylene, and other free-flowing granular products

Discharge Type 3

Gravity Gate

The most common covered hopper configuration. Cargo discharges by gravity through hinged outlet gates at the bottom of each hopper bay — no air or pressure systems required. Simple, reliable, and compatible with the widest range of rail-served facilities. The gates open manually to release product directly below the car.

Best for: Grain, fertilizer, sand, salt, animal feed, and most dry bulk agricultural and industrial commodities

Covered Hopper Sizes

Covered hoppers are available in a range of cubic capacities. The right size depends on your commodity’s bulk density, your facility equipment, and any railroad weight restrictions on your route. Discharge type and car size are independent choices — for example, a large cube car can be configured with gravity gates, pneumatic outlets, or PD discharge depending on the application.

Size Class	Capacity	Typical Commodities	Notes
Small Cube	2,950–3,300 cu ft	Sand, salt, cement, industrial minerals	Great for commodites weighing greater than 60 lbs per cubic foot
Large Cube	4,550–5,400 cu ft	Corn, grain, fertilizer, chemicals	Most common size for agricultural and plastics applications weighing betweeb 40-50lbs per cubic foot
Jumbo	5,800+ cu ft	DDG, soybean, and plastics	Maximizes volume for the lightest bulk commodities

Not sure which size or discharge type fits your commodity? Call RTEX at 904-241-4176 — we’ll help match the right car to your freight.

Commodities Shipped in Covered Hoppers

Covered hoppers serve a broad range of industries across North America. RTEX has experience leasing and sourcing cars for the following commodities — and if yours isn’t listed, just give us a call.

Category	Examples
Agricultural	Corn, wheat, soybeans, soybean meal, dried distillers grain (DDG), cottonseed, animal feed, malt, flour, sugar
Plastics & Petrochemical	Plastic pellets, polyethylene, PVC, polypropylene, polymer resins
Industrial Minerals	Industrial sand, silica, limestone, aggregate, roofing granules, salt
Construction	Cement, fly ash, bentonite clay
Fertilizer & Chemicals	Urea, potash, ammonium nitrate, granular fertilizer blends, sulfur, dry chemicals
Other Dry Bulk	Wood pellets, wood chips, starch & powders, calcined coke, petroleum coke (petcoke), mineral products

Industries Served

Grain elevators & agricultural processors
Petrochemical & plastics manufacturers
Cement & construction material producers
Industrial mineral suppliers
Chemical producers & distributors
Fertilizer manufacturers & distributors
Food & beverage processors
Energy & biofuel producers

Lease or Buy a Covered Hopper Through RTEX

Flexible Leasing. Personal Service. Fast Decisions.

At RTEX, every covered hopper lease is structured around your specific needs. We work with shippers, processors, and rail-served facilities of all sizes — and every transaction is handled directly by a principal of RTEX who has the authority and flexibility to get the deal done.

Short-term, long-term, and multi-year lease agreements
Customized rate structures based on fleet size and commitment
Cars sourced from our network across North America
You deal directly with decision-makers — never a call center
Sales, brokerage, and remarketing also available

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to lease a covered hopper railcar?

Covered hopper lease rates vary based on car size, discharge type, lease term length, and current market conditions. Rates are quoted on a per-car, per-month basis. Contact RTEX at 904-241-4176 for a current quote tailored to your requirements.

What is the difference between a covered hopper and an open top hopper?

A covered hopper has an enclosed roof with hatches to protect cargo from weather and contamination — essential for grain, plastic pellets, and other moisture-sensitive freight. An open top hopper is unenclosed and used for materials like coal, aggregate, and scrap where weather protection isn’t required.

What is the difference between a pneumatic outlet and a pressure differential covered hopper?

Both types load through roof hatches, but they unload differently. Pneumatic outlet cars unload through a 4” connection using the receiving facility’s vacuum or pressure system — the product flows freely on its own and is simply conveyed to its destination. Pressure differential cars inject air into the car itself to fluidize fine powders that won’t flow freely on their own, such as cement, fly ash, or bentonite clay.

What size covered hopper do I need for grain?

Grain is most commonly shipped in large cube covered hoppers equiped with gravity gates and trough hatches. The right size depends on your facility equipment and any railroad weight restrictions on your route.

Can covered hoppers be lined for food-grade commodities?

Yes. Covered hoppers can be fitted with interior linings to protect food-grade commodities from contamination and to protect the car itself from corrosive materials. RTEX can help identify appropriately configured cars for food-grade applications.

How quickly can I get a covered hopper lease in place?

Because you deal directly with a principal of RTEX, we can discuss availability, negotiate terms, and have paperwork in place much faster than a large corporate lessor. Call 904-241-4176 to start the conversation today.

904-241-4176