While it is likely beyond the scope of this forum, I figured it would be a good place to start.
I am needing, possibly, to ship some pipe. Normally, I would use flatbed trucks to do the job. With the cost of fuel (and my interest in railroading) I thought I might explore the rail shipping option. I will be doing this one time only, unless the cost savings, and my project, is successful. Then, who knows?
How do I get started? Do you have to use a broker or is this something a normal person can orchestrate? Where can I get flatcar (probably centerbeam) dimensions to arrive at a number of loads? Any other information such as demurrage policies, tracking methods, things to avoid, etc. would be helpful.
I am certainly not an expert in your area of question but have been around manufacturing plants with RRs since 1964, and since no one else responded, here is my input…
First of all, do you have enough pipe to warrant using the RR? For car information, you can access the ORER (Official Railway Equipment Register) to get an idea as to the size and capacity of available cars.
Second, can you get the pipe to a siding (and load it) and does the destination have unloading facilities? And of course, will you have to truck the pipe to the siding for shipment and from the end siding for delivery? And, can you get the pipe loaded (and unloaded) in a single day? These are definite cost considerations.
Third, is your local RR the same that services the destination, or will you have to go thru other RRs? Of course it is probably cheaper for one RR to handle the shipment exclusively.
The above questions - when answered - probably will be a good indicator as to whether you are should pursue the rail shipment alternative. If so, then know is the time to contact the originating RR “salesperson”, and they can certainly answer your questions and give price estimates.
I sure would like to know how this all turns out for you, and hope you give us some more details no matter what the outcome.
Union Pacific has a “New Customer Welcome Center” page at their website and several pages of information to get you started. Without looking myself, I would imagine that all railroads have a similar page at their sites.
Of the tabs at the top, look at the pull-down menus under “PROPSECTIVE CUSTOMER” and “CUSTOMER TOOLS”. Also, near the middle bottom is a tab labeled “PRICES & SCHEDULES”.
At the top left, click on the “CUSTOMERS” tab, and when that page opens, look at whatever seems interesting or useful. Or, go directly to NS’s “Customer Reference Guide” at: