Freightquote® provides rail shipping to the US, Canada and Mexico.
We've created this page to briefly explain how rail shipping, we call it
"intermodal", works. Intermodal shipping refers to the use of two or
more modes of transport for continuous movement of freight. Most
methods of shipping freight by rail is referred to as intermodal.
When Freightquote ships your freight by rail, a dry van truck will
pick the freight up at the origin, transport it to the rail yard and then
from the rail yard to the destination for true door to door service.
How to ship by rail
Shipping freight by rail is easy, cost effective, and good for the environment.
Below is a diagram to show you how rail freight works.
Over the road truck
A truck picks up your freight.
Railroad yard
Your freight goes onto a train.
Over the road truck
A truck delivers your freight.
A dry van, flatbed or refrigerated
trailer truck will pick up your freight,
and take it to a railroad “ramp”. The
trailer will then be
loaded onto the train.
When the train reaches the nearest
ramp to your destination, the trailer will be put back on the road.
The truck driver will then deliver
your freight to the destination.
Advantages of shipping by rail
- Intermodal freight is more economical then over the road
- Shipping by rail is better for the environment
- Intermodal freight gives you great pound per pound rates
Standard rail freight capacity
Don't know what size trailer you need? It doesn't matter, simply tell us what you
are shipping and we'll find what equipment best suites your shipment's needs.
Below is a table of estimated equipment capacities, to give you an idea of what
you might need.
| Length |
Pallets^ |
Weight Limit |
Cubic Feet |
Door Opening Height |
Door Opening Width |
Inside Width |
Inside Height |
Inside Length |
| 20" Container |
9 |
34,000 |
1168 |
90" |
92" |
93" |
94" |
19'4" |
| 40' Container |
20 |
43,000 |
2345 |
90" |
92" |
93" |
94" |
39'6" |
| 40' Container HC |
20 |
43,000 |
2694 |
102" |
92" |
93" |
106" |
39'8" |
| 45' Container |
24 |
43,000 |
3035 |
102" |
92" |
93" |
106" |
44'6" |
| 48' Container |
28 |
43,000 |
3476 |
107" |
98" |
98" |
107" |
47'6" |
| 53' Container HC |
30 |
43,000 |
3955 |
109" |
98" |
99" |
109" |
52'6" |
* These are just estimations. Please contact your intermodal expert at 800.323.5441 for exact capacities.
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