Propane / LPG by Rail
Liquefied petroleum gas rides in thick-shelled pressure cars from fractionators to regional storage ahead of heating season.
| Railcar | Pressure tank car (DOT-112, ~33,500 gal) |
| Typical net load | 60–70 tons per car |
| Loading constraint | Varies by grade |
| STCC | 29121 — look up related codes in the STCC Finder |
What it's used for
Home heating, crop drying, petrochemical feedstock.
How it moves
Strong fall/winter seasonality; Canadian LPG also rails to the West Coast for export.
Where it flows
Key origins and gateways for propane / lpg 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 propane / lpg be shipped by rail?
Yes. Propane / LPG moves regularly on the North American rail network in pressure tank cars. Strong fall/winter seasonality; Canadian LPG also rails to the West Coast for export..
How many tons of propane / lpg fit in a railcar?
A typical load is 60–70 net tons per car.
What railcar does propane / lpg move in?
Pressure tank car (DOT-112, ~33,500 gal). Car choice varies with grade and lane.
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 propane / lpg 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.