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Rail Car Identification Chart*

Hopper Car Dry Bulk. Side view of a hopper car for dry bulk. Guide 140.
Box Car Mixed Cargo. Side view of a box car for mixed cargo. Guide 111.
Pressure Tank Car Compressed Liquefied Gases (Closed Dome Only on top). Side and rear view of a pressure tank car for compressed liquefied gases and image of the dome of the rail car. Guide 117.
Low Pressure Tank Car Liquids (Closed Dome and Outlets on top). Side and rear view of a low pressure tank car for liquids and image of the dome of the rail car. Guide 131.
Side view of a rail car. Information on the left of the rail car (top to bottom): reporting marks and car number, load limit (pounds or kg) and empty weight. Information on the right of the rail car (top to bottom): TC permit number, commodity name, car specification, tank test & safety valve test and placard holder.
Rear view of a rail car. Information on it (top to bottom): reporting marks & car number, capacity in gallons or liters, placard holder.

CAUTION: Emergency response personnel must be aware that rail tank cars vary widely in construction, fittings and purpose. Tank cars could transport products that may be solids, liquids or gases. The products may be under pressure. It is essential that products be identified by consulting shipping documents or train consist or contacting dispatch centers before emergency response is initiated.

The information stenciled on the sides or ends of tank cars, as illustrated above, may be used to identify the product utilizing;

  1. the commodity name shown; or
  2. the other information shown, especially reporting marks and car number which when supplied to a dispatch center, will facilitate the identification of the product.

* The recommended guides should be considered as last resort if the material cannot be identified by any other means.

Date modified:
2012-08-08