Aggregates & Crushed Stone by Rail
Crushed stone, gravel and construction sand — the heaviest, cheapest tonnage on rail. It only moves where a quarry, a market and a rail line happen to align.
| Railcar | Open-top hopper or gondola |
| Typical net load | 100–115 tons per car |
| Bulk density | ~90–105 lb/cu ft |
| Loading constraint | Weighs out (weight-limited) |
| STCC | 14212 — look up related codes in the STCC Finder |
What it's used for
Road base, concrete and asphalt aggregate, ballast, riprap.
How it moves
Short-haul unit trains from quarry to metro distribution yards; Texas and the Gulf coast host the classic lanes. Freight cost dominates delivered price, so lanes are ruthlessly economic.
Where it flows
Key origins and gateways for aggregates & crushed stone on the Commodity Flow Map:
- Baton Rouge (Gulf Petrochemical/Grain) — Baton Rouge, LA (CSX, UP, NS, CN)
- Louisville (Ohio River Rail/Barge Transfer) — Louisville, KY (NS)
- Memphis (Multi-Modal Crossroads) — Memphis, TN ()
- Port of Houston (National Leader) — Port of Houston, TX ()
- Port of New Orleans — Port of New Orleans, LA ()
- Port of Virginia (Offshore Wind Surge) — Port of Virginia, VA (CSX, NS)
- St. Louis (Primary River Transfer Point) — St. Louis, MO (BNSF, CSX, UP, NS, CN)
Common questions
Can aggregates & crushed stone be shipped by rail?
Yes. Aggregates & Crushed Stone moves regularly on the North American rail network in open-top hopper or gondolas. Short-haul unit trains from quarry to metro distribution yards; Texas and the Gulf coast host the classic lanes.
How many tons of aggregates & crushed stone fit in a railcar?
A typical load is 100–115 net tons per car — the car reaches its weight limit well before its cubic capacity.
What railcar does aggregates & crushed stone move in?
Open-top hopper or gondola. Because the commodity is dense, smaller-cube cars are common — the weight limit governs.
What is the bulk density of aggregates & crushed stone?
Roughly 90–105 lb per cubic foot, depending on grade and condition.
Related tools
- Railcar Capacity Guide — loads and cubic capacities by car type
- Railcar Selector — match a commodity to the right equipment
- Rail vs Truck Calculator — where rail wins on your lane
- Transload Directory — 2,400+ transfer facilities
Shipping aggregates & crushed stone by rail?
Run your lane through the Rail Rate Quote tool for an indicative estimate (the commodity is pre-selected for you), compare modes with Rail vs Truck, or find transfer points in the Transload Directory. We do not guarantee rates — we will talk through your lane before quoting.
Figures on this page are typical industry ranges for reference — actual loads depend on the specific car, commodity grade and railroad rules. Rate estimates are indicative only; Steel Wheel Logistics does not issue binding quotes from this page.