Closed Car Loading Methods

Though established test procedures the Damage Prevention and Loading Services group develops successful loading methods and evaluates new materials to prevent freight damage and ensure safe movement. The Damage Prevention and Freight Claim Committee reviews and approves all new closed car loading methods and materials prior to publication.

DPLS publications are available for free download.

Circular 42-P: General Rules Governing the Loading of Carload shipments of Commodities in Closed Cars (3/23)

Closed Car Loading Standards

Part

Subject / Title

Publication Date

Formerly

Incorporates

1

Minimum Loading Standards for Freight in General Purpose Boxcars

08/2021

Minimum Loading Standards for Freight in General Purpose Boxcars (01/14)

GIS Nos. 838 and 850

Pneumatic Dunnage Product Verification List

12/2024

Rubber Friction Mat Product Verification List

Nonmetallic Strap Substitution for Doorway Protection

12/2024

2

Best Practices for Loading Roll Paper in Railcars

 

12/2024

Best Practices for Loading Roll Paper in Railcars (12/19)

G.I.S. 828, 829, 832, 837, 839, 841, 842, 844, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, 851, 853, 855, 856, 857, 859, 860, 863, 864, 869, 871, 873, 875, 876, 878, 879, 880, 881, and 882

3

Minimum Loading Standards for Plywood and Similar Building Products in Closed Cars

03/2014

Pamphlet No. 8, Minimum Loading Standards for Sanded and Sheathing Plywood in Closed Cars (11/85)

G.I.S. Nos. 549, 598, 616, 640, 645, 654, 655, 657, 698, 706, 708, and 720

 

GIS Updates:

760 Incomplete Layers of Plywood or OSB in Boxcars Secured with Nonmetallic Straps (2/17)

823 Plywood and Similar Panel Products Loading Doorway Areas (10/19)

883 Update to Selection & Preparation of Boxcars (8/24)

4

Minimum Loading Standards for Lumber in Closed Cars

06/2014

Pamphlet No. 20, Minimum Loading Standards for Lumber in Closed Cars (10/87)

G.I.S. Nos. 592, 596, 699, and 708

 

GIS Updates:

883 Update to Selection & Preparation of Boxcars (8/24)

5

Minimum Loading Standards for Building Brick in Closed Cars

06/2014

Pamphlet No. 6, Minimum Requirements for Loading, Bracing and Blocking Carload Shipments of Building Brick in Closed Cars (8/83)

G.I.S. Nos. 629 and 705

 

GIS Updates:

826 Building Brick in Closed Cars – Incomplete Layer Securement –Woodpack Walls (Litco) (11/19)

883 Update to Selection & Preparation of Boxcars (8/24)


6

Minimum Loading Standards for Prepared Food and Similarly Packaged Products in Closed Cars

02/2014

Pamphlet No. 17, Minimum Loading Standards for Packaged Food Products in Closed Cars and TOFC/COFC (10/88)

G.I.S. Nos. 667, 693, and 734

 

GIS Updates:

838 Unitizing with Stretch Wrap or Film, Stretch Wrap Roping, Shrink Netting, or Shrink Film (6/20)

868 Lengthwise Filler Material used inPrepared Food and Similarly Packaged Product Shipments (11/21)

883 Update to Selection & Preparation of Boxcars (8/24)


7

Minimum Loading Standards for Intermediate Bulk Containers in Closed Cars

07/2014

New

G.I.S. Nos. 659, 695, 707, 711, 712, 714, 716, 721 and 724

GIS Updates:

754 Wood Bins Braced by Disposable Inflatable Dunnage Bags and Lengthwise Void Fillers (10/16)

765 Wood Bins Braced by Disposable Inflatable Dunnage Bags and Shock-Gard® Lengthwise Void Fillers (7/17)

781 Wood Bins Braced by Disposable Inflatable Dunnage Bags and BIN-PAK™ or M-PAK® Lengthwise Void Fillers (4/18)

782 Plastic Intermediate Bulk Containers with Disposable Inflatable Dunnage Bags and Lengthwise Void Fillers – Schoeller Allibert (4/18)

791 DRUM-PAK® Dunnage for Open Head Drums in Cushioned Boxcars (7/18)

810 Reinforced Longitudinal Void Fillers for Plastic, Metal or Wood Intermediate Bulk Containers with Tomato Products (4/19)

811 Plastic Intermediate Bulk Containers with Disposable Inflatable Dunnage Bags -- Horen® (6/19)

831 Metal Intermediate Bulk Containers with Disposable Inflatable Dunnage Bags and Lengthwise Void Fillers – Goodpack USA (4/22)

836 Wood Bin Containers for Shipping Liquid or Paste Products in Boxcars (5/20)

877 Wood Bins Stacked Three-High in 50 ft. Cushion Underframe Boxcars – 68 Bins (7/23)

883 Update to Selection & Preparation of Boxcars (8/24)


8

Minimum Loading Standards for Bagged and Baled Commodities in Closed Cars

07/2014

Pamphlet No. 3, Minimum Loading Standards for Bagged and Baled Commodities in Closed Cars (10/93)

G.I.S. Nos. 686, 690, 719, and 725

 

GIS Updates:

794 Peat Moss, Bagged or Baled, in Cushioned Boxcars (10/18)

866 Doorway Protection for Baled Paper and Other Baled Products in Boxcars (9/21)

870 Bales of Wood Pulp in Boxcars (1/22)

883 Update to Selection & Preparation of Boxcars (8/24)


9

Minimum Loading Standards for Coiled Metal Products in Closed Cars

05/2022

Minimum Loading Standards for Coiled Metal Products in Closed Cars (08/14)

 

GIS Nos. 786, 795, and 803

10

Minimum Loading Standards for Large Metal Products in Closed Cars

11/2021

Minimum Loading Standards For Primary Metal Products in Closed Car (10/14)

GIS Nos. 759 and 825

 

 

General Information Bulletins

GIB No. 1—Handling and Shipping Fresh Fruits and Vegetables by Rail (5/76)

GIB No. 2—Rules and Procedures for Testing of New Loading and Bracing Methods or Materials (5/23)

GIB No. 3—Instructions for Applying Polyethylene Sheets as Weather Protection in Boxcars (11/91)

GIB No. 4—Weather Protection for Open Top Wallboard Shipments (5/93)

GIB No. 5—Overloaded or Unbalanced Hopper Cars Are Unsafe (8/93)

GIB No. 6—Measurement Requirements for Remote Ride Quality Monitoring (11/96)

GIB No. 7—Evaluating and Loading Auto Part Racks in Railcars for Transportation via the North American Rail System (2/99)

GIB No. 9—Product Performance Profile for Pneumatic Dunnage (1/22)

GIB No. 10 — Product Performance Profile for Rubber Friction Mats (7/22)
             

Pamphlet No. 41, Dictionary of Standard Terms (7/82)

Archived Closed Car Loading Publications

Publications that have been archived are available on request - contact dpls@aar.com.

To request access to archived loading publications click here.