Steel Wheel Logistics
We specialize in coordinating bulk commodity rail freight — coal, grain, aggregates, chemicals, petroleum products, and more. Expert coordination with Class I and short line railroads to keep your freight moving efficiently.
What We Do
We focus exclusively on moving bulk commodities by rail — the most cost-effective way to transport high-volume goods across the country.
Full carload and unit train coordination for coal, grain, aggregates, sand, petroleum products, chemicals, and other bulk commodities — without taking title to your freight.
We work directly with Class I railroads and short lines to source rates, coordinate car supply, and reach the right people on the carrier side.
Rail-to-truck transloading, bulk storage coordination, and facility logistics to keep your commodity pipeline flowing without interruption.
About Us
Steel Wheel Logistics focuses on one thing: moving bulk commodities by rail. We don't try to be everything to everyone — we specialize in the commodities and rail operations where our expertise delivers real results.
From negotiating competitive rates with Class I carriers to coordinating car supply and transload facilities, we handle the complexity so you can focus on your business.
No rail person on staff? We become one. Steel Wheel runs as your outsourced rail department — the whole rail function, handled.
Free Tools & Resources
Free shipper-grade tools and guides built from real Class I rate structures.
Ballpark a rate on any U.S. lane in seconds — line-haul, fuel surcharge, and accessorials. No sign-up.
359 indicative rate estimates for grain, steel, plastic, paper, and coal lanes — grouped by commodity and origin state.
Estimate per-car and total demurrage charges using current Class I rate structures (BNSF 6004-C source-of-truth).
Searchable directory of 800+ transload facilities across North America. Filter by state, commodity, and on-site capabilities.
Rail freight coverage in 50 major U.S. cities — railroads, terminals, port access, and dominant commodities for each hub.
The complete shipper's guide to booking, equipment, transit, and delivery on a rail move.
Equipment, loading rules, scrap logistics, and cost factors for moving steel coil, plate, and structural by rail.
Transition guide for shippers moving from over-the-road truck to rail — lane selection, partner setup, transload prep, pilot moves.
Inside Class I rate structures — tariff vs contract, fuel surcharges, accessorials, and how miles roll into the all-in number.
When does rail + transload beat truck alone? Economics, site selection, equipment needs, and permitting.
Cities We Serve
City-by-city guides to local railroads, terminals, port access, and dominant commodity flows. View all 50 cities →
The largest rail hub in North America — six Class I carriers interchange here daily, with Joliet/Logistics Park as the dominant intermodal terminal.
Gulf Coast petrochemical capital — BNSF, UP, and KCS coverage with deep-water port access for plastic resin, NGLs, and chemical exports.
San Pedro Bay rail gateway — BNSF and UP intermodal, ICTF and on-dock rail at the Ports of LA/Long Beach for Pacific imports.
BNSF Alliance and UP Dallas Intermodal Terminal — transcontinental crossroads for plastics, steel, and consumer goods moving north-south.
CSX Hulsey and NS Inman Yard — the Southeast's primary rail interchange, dominant in automotive, paper, and intermodal.
Five Class I carriers at America's distribution center — BNSF, UP, NS, CSX, and CN converge with Mississippi River barge interchange.
Six Class I rail-to-water gateway — bulk grain, petrochemical, and steel exports through the Lower Mississippi port complex.
Second-largest rail hub by tonnage — KCS, BNSF, UP, NS, and CPKC interchange for grain, ag products, and Mexico-bound traffic.
Mississippi River rail gateway — six Class I carriers serve the Metro East terminals for coal, grain, steel, and aggregate flows.
Twin Cities rail hub — BNSF Northtown Yard and CP Shoreham serve grain country with CN and UP interchange to the south.
CSX Radnor and the South's auto corridor — major flows for steel, automotive parts, and building materials with Class I interchange.
NS Charlotte Intermodal Terminal — Carolinas distribution hub with CSX interchange and direct lanes to Atlanta and the Northeast.
From the Blog
Field-tested guides on documentation, equipment, accessorials, and the operational side of bulk rail.
Volume floors, transload partners, and the lane economics that decide whether a small shipper belongs on rail.
The shipper's first-move checklist — carrier outreach, BOL prep, equipment specs, and what to expect at origin and destination.
Bills of lading, waybills, STCC codes, AAR equipment IDs — every form a rail shipper actually has to fill out.
How Standard Transportation Commodity Codes work, why they drive your rate, and how to find the right code for your freight.
Pre-load and post-load inspection points — safety appliances, gates, hatches, and the AAR rules that govern reject conditions.
What it actually costs to build a private spur — track, switches, permits, and the volume thresholds that justify the capex.
Where short lines beat Class Is on service and rate — and where they don't. How interchange agreements actually work.
When dedicated unit trains pay off vs single-car manifest service — volume thresholds, transit speed, and rate structure.
The rules behind per-car demurrage, free-time clocks, and the operational moves that keep accessorials off your invoice.
How carriers hand off cars between each other — trip plans, run-through trains, and the interchange points that drive transit time.
Hopper requirements, hazmat rules, seasonal demand spikes, and the lane economics for ag fertilizer movements.
