Intermodal Cars
For Canned Goods, Industrial Products, or Auto Parts, also see Boxcars

Intermodal cars are used in the transportation of ocean freight containers and highway trailers in service known as "COFC" for container on flat car or "TOFC" for trailer on flat car. This is the single most important segment of the rail industry since it's a steady, growing business as more freight is moved as intermodal - from ship to rail to truck without unloading. Most significantly, it's about getting more trucks and trailers off the nation's highways and onto the railroads. There are a number of types of intermodal cars, the most common are the double stack COFC cars and the articulated five-platform all purpose spine car, which can carry a mix of containers and trailers.

Car Features, 53' all-purpose spine car:
Five 53' articulated platforms per car
Each platform can carry one 40' to 53' container
Or, one 40' to 53' trailer up to 102" wide
Overall length 263' 9.75"
Each platform load limit 67,500 lbs.
Average light weight 32,000 per platform
Useful life of 40-50 years