Scrap Metal by Rail
Ferrous scrap flows from shredders and dealers to electric-arc furnace mills — the feedstock for most new US steel.
| Railcar | Gondola (mill gon) |
| Typical net load | 80–100 tons per car |
| Bulk density | ~20–70 (shredded vs. bales) lb/cu ft |
| Loading constraint | Varies by grade |
| STCC | 40211 — look up related codes in the STCC Finder |
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.
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
Shipping scrap metal 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.