Frac Sand by Rail
Northern White sand from Wisconsin/Minnesota rails to oil and gas basins — so dense it uses the smallest-cube covered hoppers on the network.
| Railcar | Covered hopper (3,000–3,250 cu ft, small cube) |
| Typical net load | 100–112 tons per car |
| Bulk density | ~95–105 lb/cu ft |
| Loading constraint | Weighs out (weight-limited) |
| STCC | 14413 — look up related codes in the STCC Finder |
What it's used for
Proppant for hydraulic fracturing in shale oil and gas wells.
How it moves
Unit trains to basin terminals in Texas, New Mexico and the Bakken; volume tracks drilling activity closely. In-basin local sand has taken share, making rail lanes longer but fewer.
By the numbers: state rail plan figures
How much of this commodity group moves by rail, as published in the states' own federally mandated rail plans:
Single-direction figures
These count movement in one direction only — originated, inbound or outbound as each plan defines it — so they are not comparable with the statewide totals above.
- Pennsylvania: 3.7 million tons of natural sands (frac sand) moved by rail into the state from Illinois in 2022 (Pennsylvania State Rail Plan 2025, p. 146).
Each figure is quoted from the cited state rail plan and reflects that plan's own data year, commodity grouping and methodology — figures from different plans are not directly comparable with each other. Some plans count traffic passing through the state and others exclude it; each line says which.
Where it flows
Key origins and gateways for frac sand 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 frac sand be shipped by rail?
Yes. Frac Sand moves regularly on the North American rail network in covered hoppers. Unit trains to basin terminals in Texas, New Mexico and the Bakken; volume tracks drilling activity closely.
How many tons of frac sand fit in a railcar?
A typical load is 100–112 net tons per car — the car reaches its weight limit well before its cubic capacity.
What railcar does frac sand move in?
Covered hopper (3,000–3,250 cu ft, small cube). Because the commodity is dense, smaller-cube cars are common — the weight limit governs.
What is the bulk density of frac sand?
Roughly 95–105 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 frac sand 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.