Soybeans by Rail
The premier export grain. Soybeans move in dense harvest surges from the Midwest to Gulf and Pacific Northwest export elevators and to domestic crush plants.
| Railcar | Covered hopper (4,750–5,200 cu ft) |
| Typical net load | 100–110 tons per car |
| Bulk density | ~46–48 lb/cu ft |
| Loading constraint | Weighs out (weight-limited) |
| STCC | 01144 — look up related codes in the STCC Finder |
What it's used for
Crushing into soybean meal and oil, direct export, food products.
How it moves
Heavily unit-train and shuttle; the PNW export lane is one of the busiest grain corridors in the world Oct–Feb.
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
- Texas: 48.8 million tons of farm products moved by rail in all directions in 2022 (Texas State Rail Plan 2024, p. 169).
- Illinois: 46.5 million tons of farm products handled by the state's rail network in all directions (including through traffic) in 2019 (Illinois State Rail Plan 2023, p. 267).
- Iowa: 34.3 million tons of farm products moved by rail in all directions across the state (including through traffic) in 2022 (Iowa State Rail Plan 2025, p. 246).
- Oklahoma: 30.7 million tons of farm products moved by rail in all directions, including traffic passing through the state in 2019 (Oklahoma State Rail Plan 2021, p. 97).
- Kentucky: 26.3 million tons of farm products moved by rail in all directions across the state (including through traffic) in 2021 (Kentucky State Rail Plan 2025, p. 79).
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: 20.8 million tons of grain moved through the state by rail in 2018 (Missouri State Rail Plan 2022, p. 52).
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 soybeans on the Commodity Flow Map:
- Midwest Corn Belt (Grain / Steel / Autos) — Midwest Corn Belt, IA (NS)
- Northern Plains (Grain / Bakken Crude) — Northern Plains, ND (BNSF, NS)
- Vancouver BC (Canadian Grain & Potash Export) — Vancouver BC, BC (CN, CP)
- Omaha (UP HQ / Bakken Grain Yard) — Omaha, NE (UP, BNSF)
- Wichita (Grain & Aerospace) — Wichita, KS (BNSF, UP)
- Sioux Falls (Northern Plains Grain) — Sioux Falls, SD (BNSF, CPKC)
- Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul Grain Hub) — Minneapolis, MN (BNSF, CPKC, UP, CN)
- Milwaukee (Grain & Beverage Hub) — Milwaukee, WI (CPKC, CN, UP)
Common questions
Can soybeans be shipped by rail?
Yes. Soybeans moves regularly on the North American rail network in covered hoppers. Heavily unit-train and shuttle; the PNW export lane is one of the busiest grain corridors in the world Oct–Feb..
How many tons of soybeans fit in a railcar?
A typical load is 100–110 net tons per car — the car reaches its weight limit well before its cubic capacity.
What railcar does soybeans move in?
Covered hopper (4,750–5,200 cu ft). Because the commodity is dense, smaller-cube cars are common — the weight limit governs.
What is the bulk density of soybeans?
Roughly 46–48 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 soybeans 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.