Wood Pellets by Rail
Densified sawmill residuals, mostly bound for European power plants — the US Southeast is the world's largest exporter.
| Railcar | Covered hopper |
| Typical net load | 90–100 tons per car |
| Bulk density | ~40–45 lb/cu ft |
| Loading constraint | Varies by grade |
| STCC | 24291 — look up related codes in the STCC Finder |
What it's used for
Utility-scale renewable generation (export), home heating pellets (domestic).
How it moves
Southeast pellet plants rail to dedicated export terminals at Savannah, Mobile and the Mississippi River; moisture control matters, so covered equipment throughout.
Where it flows
Key origins and gateways for wood pellets on the Commodity Flow Map:
- Jacksonville (JAXPORT, Forest Products Hub) — Jacksonville, FL (CSX, NS)
- Port of Baltimore (Autos & Farm Equipment) — Port of Baltimore, MD (CSX, NS)
- Port of Mobile (#1 US Forest Products) — Port of Mobile, AL (NS, CN)
- Seattle/Tacoma Cargo Terminal (Pacific Northwest) — Seattle/Tacoma Cargo Terminal, WA (BNSF, UP, NS)
- Southeast Pine Belt (Forest Products) — Southeast Pine Belt, MS (CSX, NS, CN)
- Pine Bluff (UP Yard) — Pine Bluff, AR (UP)
Common questions
Can wood pellets be shipped by rail?
Yes. Wood Pellets moves regularly on the North American rail network in covered hoppers. Southeast pellet plants rail to dedicated export terminals at Savannah, Mobile and the Mississippi River; moisture control matters, so covered equipment throughout..
How many tons of wood pellets fit in a railcar?
A typical load is 90–100 net tons per car.
What railcar does wood pellets move in?
Covered hopper. Car choice varies with grade and lane.
What is the bulk density of wood pellets?
Roughly 40–45 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 wood pellets 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.