Flatcar

This article is about North American practice. For usage in Europe and other countries following UIC practice, see Flat wagon.
Spine car with one pup trailer

A flatcar (US) (also flat car,[1] or flatbed) is a piece of rolling stock that consists of an open, flat deck mounted on trucks (US) or bogies (UK) at each end. Occasionally, flat cars designed to carry extra heavy or extra large loads are mounted on a pair (or rarely, more) of bogies under each end. The deck of the car can be wood or steel, and the sides of the deck can include pockets for stakes or tie-down points to secure loads. Flatcars designed for carrying machinery have sliding chain assemblies recessed in the deck.[2]

Flatcars are used for loads that are too large or cumbersome to load in enclosed cars such as boxcars. They are also often used to transport intermodal containers (shipping containers) or trailers as part of intermodal freight transport shipping.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference flat was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "NP Flat Car Diagrams". Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association. Retrieved November 21, 2012.