Scrap Metal by Rail

Ferrous scrap flows from shredders and dealers to electric-arc furnace mills — the feedstock for most new US steel.

What it's used for

EAF steelmaking; foundry melt.

How it moves

Single cars and small blocks on repeating dealer-to-mill lanes; density swings widely with grade, so loads range from cube-limited shredded to weight-limited busheling.

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

• New Jersey: 6.6 million tons of waste and scrap materials moved by rail to, from, within and through the state in 2018 (New Jersey State Rail Plan 2025, p. 138).
• Washington: 4.5 million tons of waste and scrap moved by rail to, from, within and through the state in 2016 (Washington State Rail Plan 2019, p. 144).
• Kentucky: 2.9 million tons of waste and scrap materials moved by rail in all directions across the state (including through traffic) in 2021 (Kentucky State Rail Plan 2025, p. 79).
• Georgia: 2.6 million tons of waste and scrap moved by rail to, from and within the state in 2017 (Georgia State Rail Plan 2021, p. 15).
• Florida: 1.6 million tons of waste or scrap materials moved by rail in all directions in 2018 (Florida State Rail Plan 2023, p. 265).

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.

• Ohio: 8.1 million tons of waste or scrap materials terminated by rail in the state in 2022 (Ohio State Rail Plan 2025, p. 78).
• Indiana: 4 million tons of waste or scrap materials terminated by rail in the state in 2018 (Indiana State Rail Plan 2021, p. 125).
• Alabama: 2.3 million tons of waste or scrap terminated by rail in the state in 2020 (Alabama State Rail Plan 2024, p. 103).
• Maryland: 1.2 million tons of waste and scrap originated by rail in the state in 2019 (Maryland State Rail Plan 2022, p. 86).
• South Carolina: 1.1 million tons of waste or scrap materials moved by rail inbound to the state in 2022 (South Carolina State Rail Plan 2024, p. 54).

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 scrap metal on the Commodity Flow Map:

• Pueblo (EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel) — Pueblo, CO (BNSF, UP)
• Cleveland (Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Hub) — Cleveland, OH (CSX, NS)
• Gary / Hammond (US Steel & Cleveland-Cliffs) — Gary, IN (BNSF, UP, NS, CSX, CN, CPKC)
• Birmingham (Southern Steel Belt) — Birmingham, AL (BNSF, NS, CSX, CN, CPKC)
• Pittsburgh (Steel & Coal Origin) — Pittsburgh, PA (NS, CSX)

Common questions

Can scrap metal be shipped by rail?

Yes. Scrap Metal moves regularly on the North American rail network in gondolas. Single cars and small blocks on repeating dealer-to-mill lanes; density swings widely with grade, so loads range from cube-limited shredded to weight-limited busheling..

How many tons of scrap metal fit in a railcar?

A typical load is 80–100 net tons per car.

What railcar does scrap metal move in?

Gondola (mill gon). Car choice varies with grade and lane.

What is the bulk density of scrap metal?

Roughly 20–70 (shredded vs. bales) 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

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.