How much coal, in tons, can a railroad car hold?

Most coal cars used currently are the Aluminum rotary dump style. The actual amount of coal loaded into the car varies, but will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 200,000 lbs or 100 tons. The actual weight of each car varies simply because the steel and aluminum parts that construct them varies slightly for each car. read more

100 tons, most modern rail cars are designed for 100 ton loads while weighing on average 30 tons empty, some of the newest jumbo covered hoppers can handle more than 100 tons for a total weight of 143 tons loaded. The aluminum coal hoppers also could be able to handle up to 120 tons since the empty weight is lighter. read more

According to Colorado Unit Coal Trains, the capacity of a unit coal train depends on the capacity of the railcars used and the length of the train. In the 1970s, 100-car unit trains carrying 100 tons per car carried 10,000 tons per train. Nowadays, 120-car trains are normal with each car carrying roughly 120 tons. Thus the capacity of a modern unit coal train is around 15,000 tons per train. read more

In the 1970s, 100-car unit trains carrying 100 tons per car carried 10,000 tons per train. Nowadays, 120-car trains are normal with each car carrying roughly 120 tons. Thus the capacity of a modern unit coal train is around 15,000 tons per train. read more

2 tons No. A modern coal car carries 120 tons of coal. Some older ones carry 100 tons. On the B&O division of CSX, coal trains are usually 80 or 120 car unit trains. The length of the train is usually governed by the size of the originating or destination yard. read more