Scrap Metal Rail Shipping & Logistics: Rates, Railcars, Lanes
Ferrous scrap flows from shredders and dealers to electric-arc furnace mills — the feedstock for most new US steel.
Scrap metal logistics by rail: what we do
Steel Wheel Logistics prices and coordinates scrap metal carload moves nationwide — single cars and multi-car blocks — from routing and an indicative rate per car through car ordering, release and tracing to placement. Bulk density runs 20–70 lb per cubic foot depending on grade, so a car can cube out or weigh out on the same lane; we confirm the grade before selecting gondolas and price the move on a realistic 80–100 tons per car. Typical end uses are EAF steelmaking; foundry melt — we confirm the receiving track and unloading method before the first car is ordered. Where the plant has no spur, we set up transload at a bulk yard near the receiver and price the rail-plus-truck move against straight truck, so the mode decision is made on numbers. Demurrage control is planned rather than reactive: manifest cars arrive bunched, so we set release rules with the receiver and watch free time car by car. Shippers who need equipment can use our railcar brokerage to source gondolas on lease or per trip.
| 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.
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.
Does Steel Wheel Logistics handle scrap metal rail logistics?
Yes — we price and coordinate scrap metal carload moves nationwide: routing and indicative rates per car in gondolas at 80–100 tons, car supply through our railcar brokerage, transload where the plant has no spur, and demurrage control. Call (601) 821-2199 or book a 30-minute setup call to walk through your 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
Set up a scrap metal rail lane
Tell us origin, destination and cars per month. We come back with an indicative rate per car, the equipment that fits, and how the lane would actually run — no obligation.
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, per car; nothing on this page is a quote.