Barite by Rail
Barium sulfate — the weighting agent in oil-well drilling mud. API drilling grade requires specific gravity of 4.2+, so a car hits its weight limit at roughly a quarter of its cube.
| Railcar | Open-top or covered hopper |
| Typical net load | 100–110 tons per car |
| Bulk density | ~130–160 (crude lump) lb/cu ft |
| Loading constraint | Weighs out (weight-limited) |
| STCC | 14711 — look up related codes in the STCC Finder |
What it's used for
Drilling-mud weighting (the overwhelming majority), plus fillers and radiation shielding.
How it moves
Crude ore rails from mines and import terminals to grinding plants near the oil patch (west Texas, Gulf Coast, Oklahoma); ground API barite then trucks or rails to mud plants. Ground product must stay dry — covered equipment.
Where it flows
Key origins and gateways for barite on the Commodity Flow Map:
- Gulf Coast Chemical Corridor — Gulf Coast Chemical Corridor, TX ()
- Saskatchewan Potash Mines — Saskatchewan Potash Mines, SK (CPKC)
Common questions
Can barite be shipped by rail?
Yes. Barite moves regularly on the North American rail network in open-top or covered hoppers. Crude ore rails from mines and import terminals to grinding plants near the oil patch (west Texas, Gulf Coast, Oklahoma); ground API barite then trucks or rails to mud plants.
How many tons of barite fit in a railcar?
A typical load is 100–110 net tons per car — the car reaches its weight limit well before its cubic capacity.
What railcar does barite move in?
Open-top or covered hopper. Because the commodity is dense, smaller-cube cars are common — the weight limit governs.
What is the bulk density of barite?
Roughly 130–160 (crude lump) 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 barite 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.