Flat cars are railroad cars with a flat bed and varying numbers of axles for supporting different types of loads. They are used for bulky and heavy items, shipping containers, and transporting trailers and trucks. Flat cars are flexible and easy to configure, making them popular with shipping companies.
A flat car is a railroad car consisting of a flat bed mounted on a set of axles. The number of axles can vary, depending on the types of loads the flatbed car is designed to support, and there are some variations on the basic design for special uses. The wagons were the original freight car and its history dates back to the early days of the railroad. People who live in areas where freight trains run have probably seen wagons in action numerous times.
The basic flatbed truck was developed to transport a wide variety of cargo. Railroad companies began expanding into traditional flatcars as they faced unique or challenging loads. Bulkhead flat cars have large end rails at each end of the car that are designed to prevent the cargo from shifting, and center beam flat cars have a large beam running down the middle of the flat car to reinforce it. Well and depressed center cars are designed for especially bulky and heavy loads, such as heavy industrial equipment or tanks full of chemicals.
Classically, flatcars are used when a load won’t fit conveniently in a box car. Cargo can be exposed to the elements or covered with a tarp. Some flat cars designed for heavy equipment have shells that are designed to fit over the car for protection, as is the case with cars custom built to transport aircraft and aircraft components. The flatcar bed typically has numerous tie-down points so that cargo can be properly and safely arranged.
In addition to being used for bulky and cumbersome items, flatcars are also used for transporting shipping containers. One or two containers can be stacked on top of a flatcar and locked for transport. Trailers and trucks can also be transported on flat wagons using this method. For one-time loads, flatcars can be specially reinforced or designed for optimal performance, with additions like extra axles and stiffening beams that will make loading more secure and ensure the flatcar can handle the weight.
Flat cars continue to be popular with shipping companies because they are flexible and easy to configure to meet specific needs, unlike specialized shipping cars such as boxcars and tank cars. Flatcars can carry the same loads carried by boxcars and tank trucks with minimal modifications, without being limited to specific types of loads, making them a useful addition to rolling stock in a trucking company. In addition to being used in shipping, flatcars are also used around rail yards to hold cranes and other equipment, and are sometimes used during salvage operations as a portable storage area.
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