Is it possible to rent a rail car to move household items?

Question

I am moving from the west coast to the east. Moving companies are charging a bit more with the high gas prices. Is it possible to just rent a rail car, pack it with our household belongings and have the car moved across the US?

Answer 1

Well, you can simply rent room on a freight train.

Several shipping companies allow you to rent space on their cars, by the cubic foot generally.

You'll probably have to call some companies to figure out if they operate nearby. However, don't forget that you still have to get your things to and from the trainstation, so it's only a good option if your moving across the whole country.

Answer 2

Hey Sir Readalot...you should read further...Railway Express - REA went out of business back in 1975.

Answer 3

Railway Express

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_Exp...

Answer 4

Some trucking companies offer a load out service. They drop off an empty trailer, you fill it and they move it to your destination.

Here's a link that might help:

http://www.qsmoving.com/local%20moving.h...

Answer 5

Yes and No. Most railroads do not allow for private, one time transportation. The best train option is using the Amtrak Auto Train. However, there are two big limitations to this service:

First, it only travels Virginia (near Washington, DC) and Sanford, Florida (near Orlando, Florida).

Second, you must travel with your vehicle.

Because of this, this option is out for you. However, you may be able to ship your packed car by truck shipping. Prices for auto transportation can vary wildly. The best way to get a competitive price is to get quotes from auto transport brokers who know they are bidding against each other.

If this won't work, you may want to a hire a college kid or another person and pay that person to drive the car paying his costs as well as all expenses, including his fare back to the point of origin.

Then again, you could always drive it yourself unless you left something out of your question.

Answer 6

As others have indicated, it's not a viable option for an individual.  Amongst other factors, the railroads won't want to deal with you.  The only way to get your stuff moved by rail would be to deal with a mover who, for their own purposes, has established arrangements with the railroads to move goods in such a way, such as placing their wheeled trailer on a flat car (such service is called TOFC--Trailer on Flat Car).  

With that said, I've never heard of any moving company having such an arrangement.  They prefer the flexibility of moving vans, which provide curbside to curbside service without any need to move between shipping modes.

Still, it's an interesting idea!

Answer 7

if you could it would probably be pretty expensive

btw i live in fayetteville, ga

but i used to live in torrance, ca

where do you live and where you are moving to

Answer 8

can you just rent a budget or uhaul truck and drive it across the country.

also EAST COAST ROX

I'm from CT btw.