Railcar buying, leasing and parts guides
Practical, plain-language guides for shippers, car owners and repair shops. No hype, no invented numbers.
How to buy a used railcar
Where used freight railcars are listed, what to check (build date, GRL, inspections, last commodity), how pricing works, and the paperwork to expect when buying a used railcar.
Leasing vs buying railcars
Compare leasing and buying freight railcars: full-service vs net leases, who pays maintenance, flexibility, residual value, and which fits short-term and long-term needs.
Used tank car checklist
Checklist for buying or leasing a used rail tank car: DOT specification, commodity compatibility, qualification dates, linings, valves and fittings, last commodity and cleaning.
Sourcing railcar repair parts
Practical guide for repair shops and material managers sourcing scarce freight car parts: new vs reconditioned vs secondhand, AAR quality requirements, where to look, and how to post a need.
Also see the public asking-price log and current listings.