FREIGHT CAR TYPES Freight Rail Handbook Covered Hopper Covered hoppers have a roof equipped with hatches for loading material into 2, 3 or 4 compartments. The bottom section of each compartment has a gate for unloading. A wide range of car options are available depending on the commodity, including special interior linings or hatch and gate configurations. Cars are generally divided into 2 groups, based on cubic foot capacity: small (less than 3,500 cuf) and jumbo (more than 3,500 cuf). Weight capacity is 70 to 110 tons. Plastic resins and other granular products are typically transported via covered hopper. These cars are designed for bulk commodities that require protection against the elements and/or contamination. Product type, density and loading/unloading requirements will determine which car is best suited for your needs. Open-top Hopper Open-top hoppers are used for handling bulk commodities that are impervious to weather conditions. The bottom section consists of divided hoppers (3 or 4 compartments) with gates or doors. Some open-tops are equipped with rotary couplers, which allow the car to be turned over for rapid unloading. Various cubic footage and weight capacities up to 110 tons are available. These cars carry products like coal, coke, aggregates, sand, ores, gravel, slag and scrap. Product type, density and loading/unloading requirements will determine which car is best suited for your needs. Plain Gondola Plain gondolas are open, flat-bottom cars used for a wide range of commodities that are impervious to weather conditions. Cars vary in length up to 65 feet, with the sides ranging from 4’ to 8’ in height. Metal, coal, coke, aggregates, sand, ores, gravel, slag, scrap, poles, railroad ties, etc. The equipment is differentiated by side height and cubic capacity.