Soda Ash by Rail
Natural sodium carbonate from the world's largest trona deposit at Green River, Wyoming — a one-origin commodity that rails everywhere glass is made.
| Railcar | Covered hopper (~3,500 cu ft) |
| Typical net load | 100–112 tons per car |
| Bulk density | ~58–65 lb/cu ft |
| Loading constraint | Weighs out (weight-limited) |
| STCC | 28123 — look up related codes in the STCC Finder |
What it's used for
Glassmaking (the largest use), detergents, chemicals, lithium processing.
How it moves
Unit and manifest trains from Green River to domestic glass plants and to West Coast ports — one of the largest US rail export commodities by tonnage.
Where it flows
Key origins and gateways for soda ash 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 soda ash be shipped by rail?
Yes. Soda Ash moves regularly on the North American rail network in covered hoppers. Unit and manifest trains from Green River to domestic glass plants and to West Coast ports — one of the largest US rail export commodities by tonnage..
How many tons of soda ash fit in a railcar?
A typical load is 100–112 net tons per car — the car reaches its weight limit well before its cubic capacity.
What railcar does soda ash move in?
Covered hopper (~3,500 cu ft). Because the commodity is dense, smaller-cube cars are common — the weight limit governs.
What is the bulk density of soda ash?
Roughly 58–65 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 soda ash by rail?
Run your lane through the Rail Rate Quote tool for an indicative estimate, 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.