Lumber & Wood Products by Rail
Dimensional lumber, panels and engineered wood ride centerbeam flats from Canadian and Southern mills to distribution yards near housing markets.
| Railcar | Centerbeam flat (73 ft) |
| Typical net load | 75–95 tons per car |
| Loading constraint | Cubes out (volume-limited) |
| STCC | 24211 — look up related codes in the STCC Finder |
What it's used for
Homebuilding, remodeling, industrial packaging.
How it moves
BC and Alberta mills feed the US Midwest and Northeast; Southern Yellow Pine serves the Southeast. Volume tracks housing starts. Loads are strapped in wrapped packages either side of the center beam.
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:
Statewide rail tonnage
- Washington: 9.2 million tons of wood products moved by rail to, from, within and through the state in 2016 (Washington State Rail Plan 2019, p. 144).
- Georgia: 9 million tons of forest products, pulp and paper moved by rail to, from and within the state in 2017 (Georgia State Rail Plan 2021, p. 15).
- Idaho: 6.2 million tons of wood products moved by rail into, out of, within or through the state (through traffic included) in 2010 (Idaho State Rail Plan 2013, p. 65).
- Wyoming: 4.5 million tons of lumber or wood products except furniture moved by rail in all directions - origin, destination, intrastate and through combined in 2011 (Wyoming State Rail Plan 2015, p. 120).
- Kentucky: 3.4 million tons of logs, lumber and wood products moved by rail in all directions across the state (including through traffic) in 2021 (Kentucky State Rail Plan 2025, p. 79).
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.
- North Dakota: 3.1 million tons of lumber and wood products moved through the state by rail as overhead traffic in 2019 (North Dakota State Rail Plan 2023, p. 139).
- Montana: 1.3 million tons of lumber and wood products originated by BNSF in the state in 2007 (Montana State Rail Plan 2010, p. 78).
- South Dakota: 986,000 tons of logs, lumber and wood products moved through the state by rail in 2019 (South Dakota State Rail Plan 2022, p. 112).
- South Carolina: 975,000 tons of lumber or wood products moved by rail outbound from the state in 2022 (South Carolina State Rail Plan 2024, p. 55).
- Arizona: 778,000 tons of lumber and wood products moved by rail inbound to the state in 2016 (Arizona State Rail Plan 2022, p. 114).
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 lumber & wood products on the Commodity Flow Map:
- Jacksonville (JAXPORT, Forest Products Hub) — Jacksonville, FL (CSX, NS)
- Port of Baltimore (Autos & Farm Equipment) — Port of Baltimore, MD (CSX, NS)
- Port of Mobile (#1 US Forest Products) — Port of Mobile, AL (NS, CN)
- Seattle/Tacoma Cargo Terminal (Pacific Northwest) — Seattle/Tacoma Cargo Terminal, WA (BNSF, UP, NS)
- Southeast Pine Belt (Forest Products) — Southeast Pine Belt, MS (CSX, NS, CN)
- Pine Bluff (UP Yard) — Pine Bluff, AR (UP)
Common questions
Can lumber & wood products be shipped by rail?
Yes. Lumber & Wood Products moves regularly on the North American rail network in centerbeam flats. BC and Alberta mills feed the US Midwest and Northeast; Southern Yellow Pine serves the Southeast.
How many tons of lumber & wood products fit in a railcar?
A typical load is 75–95 net tons per car — the car fills up (cubes out) before it reaches its weight limit.
What railcar does lumber & wood products move in?
Centerbeam flat (73 ft). Because the commodity is light for its volume, shippers prefer the largest cubic capacity available.
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 lumber & wood products 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.