How much does an actual train car cost used? Just a basic freight-train car.?

Question

I want to buy a freight train car and live in it while paying to be shipped around the country. What would be the best way to go about this? How much does a used freight car cost, and where would I get one?

Answer 1

Interesting idea but not workable.

The cars would need to pass safety and railroad industry standards.

I suppose you could pay the railroads as if it were hauling freight and then smuggle yourself aboard like a hobo but that is exactly what you would be doing, riding illegally.

There are used cars available, but unless you buy a used passenger car and pay to put it on Amtrak trains it is illegal to place passengers in a freight car.

Answer 2

Here's a link that might help:

http://www.railmerchants.net/cabooses/

Riding in a freight car is illegal and dangerous. Buy a caboose and ride like the crews did in the last century. Of course, you will have to get it safety certified and pay to have it moved from one area to another. I hope you have a bucket full of money.

Answer 3

Railcar costs are not something that you can look up like the cost of an automobile, because railcars are not just sold to the general public.  However, I will say that even their scrap value is considerable simply because they contain so much metal (30 tons or so).  The railcar sites I've come across do not list prices but rather provide a contact form for companies to submit.

I can guarantee you that regardless of the cost, a railroad company won't even allow you to travel around in a freight car which would otherwise be hauling 100 tons of freight--let alone oblige to haul you around.  It would be dead weight, lost revenue and a hindrance for the company--not to mention the fact that it would be very dangerous.  Freight cars aren't like passenger cars--they are rugged, rough-riding and are designed solely for hauling freight.  They are owned by leasing companies and railroads, and as such do not travel randomly but have specific destinations and cargoes.  The only time anyone would be riding a freight car is when a train crew is working on switching operations, in which case a crew member may ride the corner steps for a short distance.

Riding around the country in a freight car is perhaps a fun thing to dream about, but I would abandon the idea before even looking any farther--because it won't be happening.

Answer 4

I can't give you a figure in today's economy, but an acquaintance of mine bought a 100 ton hopper in 1985, new, for just over $50,000.  Of course, depending on where you're at, you could have bought a house for the same money.

As far as riding around in it, it isn't going to happen.  Even if it were possible, it'd be a bad idea.  It might take you 3 weeks to get from L.A. to Chicago, for example, with most of that time spent sitting in yards and sidings.

Answer 5

Used Hopper cars can run from 10,000 (for a pretty old one) to 50,000 dollars. Tank cars come in so many varieties and so many accessories, they can be 22,000 to 80,000 used. Box cars are among the most expensive when new. This is because any other car incorporates the car body for strength. The box car has all its strength built in to the frame, with the box built on top of that. This is more expensive, around 100,000 new. And so are more expensive when selling as used.

On the line I work for, I've hauled private cars for individual owners. Often, these are restored Pullman (passenger) cars that have been reworked and modified as a single family vehicle. A poor mans version of this, although still costly, are cabooses that some people have restored and somewhat modified.

The law requires that these private vehicles be placed at the rear of the train. I don't know what this costs per mile, but if you want to E-mail me, I could find out for you - so you could at least have some idea.