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.
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
- Louisiana: 5.9 million tons of potassium or sodium compounds moved by rail in all directions in 2021 (Louisiana State Rail Plan 2024, p. 60).
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.
- Missouri: 1.4 million tons of potassium or sodium compounds moved by rail inbound to the state in 2018 (Missouri State Rail Plan 2022, p. 50).
- Wisconsin: 888,108 tons of potassium or sodium compounds originated by rail in the state for an out-of-state destination in 2019 (Wisconsin State Rail Plan 2026, p. 136).
- Colorado: 504,960 tons of potassium or sodium compounds moved by rail inbound to the state in 2019 (Colorado State Rail Plan 2024, p. 38).
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 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.