Oversized Shipments
Think you don't fit? Think again. BNSF's oversized service enables customers to ship freight that may not easily fit into standard rail equipment. Let our team of experts work with you to determine the best equipment, route and service for your oversized shipment.
- Excellent for shipments that are more than 17 feet above the top of a railcar and/or 11 feet wide, or that overhangs the end of sills of a railcar
All dimensional shipments must receive clearance from the rail carrier(s). Clearance Requests need to be submitted to the originating rail carrier. If the shipment will originate on BNSF Railway, please log in and access the Dimensional Clearance Request Form.
Once your shipment has been cleared by the rail carrier(s), you will need to receive a shipping rate. Shipping rates can be accessed by selecting the commodity type on the BNSF Railprices website.
BNSF implemented a new Pay-For-Proposal model for dimensional clearance requests, effective March 11, 2009.
Contacts
| Area | Name | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| General Inquiries* | High Wide Representative | Tel: 888-428-2673, option 4, 3 Fax: 817-352-7134 |
*You need a PIN to call and inquire about oversized shipments.
Before scheduling an oversized shipment, please read the following guidelines:
Request a Heavy Duty Railcar
Heavy duty railcar requests should be submitted to the originating rail carrier once the proposed shipment has been approved/cleared by the originating railroad's clearance team. Availability of a railcar is subject to current supply conditions, so please allow for two to four weeks for delivery.
If the shipment will originate on BNSF Railway, please log in to our website and access the Dimensional Equipment Request Form.
Note: A valid "BNSF File Number of Approved Proposal" is required on the equipment request form.
Load & Secure Shipment
Load and secure railcar according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) Open Top Loading Rules. Shipments can be loaded to a specific figure or the General Rules. To obtain a copy of the AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual, please contact the AAR at 877-999-8824 or e-mail your request to pubs@ttci.aar.com.
Note: Please contact and schedule an inspection one week before loading and securing the shipment to ensure AAR and BNSF compliance (See the Receive Inspection section below for contact information).
Receive Inspection
All loaded dimensional shipments must receive securement inspection and measurements prior to shipment from the originating rail carrier. If your shipment requires an eight-axle or greater heavy duty equipment, please contact Transportation Technology Services, Inc. (TTS) via phone or e-mail for the inspection.
Transportation Technology Services
Scott Landrum, PE
Tel: 817-421-3535
railengineering@aol.com
Otherwise, contact a BNSF General Foreman for arrangements to schedule an inspection of your dimensional load.
Note: All loads must be approved by TTS or a BNSF Mechanical Inspector before the shipment can receive final clearance and be moved.
Submit Shipping Instructions
Proper shipping instructions are necessary for BNSF to provide the correct transportation services and invoice the appropriate rate.
To submit shipping instructions, you must use one of the following methods:
- Electronic data interchange (EDI)
- Log in to our website
- Rail industry Web (Steelroads)
Note: For shipments moving on multiple railroads, shipping instructions are sent to the originating rail carrier.
Note: For all dimensional shipments, you must indicate on the bill of lading that the shipment is a Hi-Wide.
Not Rail Served?
- If you are not directly served by a railroad and need delivery by truck, consider using one of our premier transloaders or BNSF Logistics.
- You can also work with our Economic Development team to establish or expand your next site. Talk to us today!
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| Clearance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area | Name | Contact |
| Rate requests | Sean Stacey
Manager, Marketing |
Tel: 817-867-6514 |
| General inquiries* | High Wide Representative | Tel: 888-428-2673, option 4, 3 Fax: 817-352-7134 |
*You need a PIN to call and inquire about oversized shipments.
| Equipment | |
|---|---|
| Car type | Contact |
| All types | Tel: 888-428-2673 option 4, 4 Fax: 800-736-7697 |
| Tie-down and securement | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area | Name | Contact |
| Tie-down and securement Requirements questions |
Gerry Palazzolo | Tel: 817-352-1454 |
| Order open top loading rules manual | Association of American Railroads (AAR) | Tel: 800-544-RAIL |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is my load dimensional or of excessive weight?
- What is the process to move a load with excess dimension or weight?
- Which railroad do I contact to obtain rates, request cars or obtain a clearance?
- How do I submit my lading information to obtain a railroad clearance?
- What happens once I submit my information for clearance?
- What if my load overhangs the edge of the car?
- What is an idler, and how do I know if it is required for my shipment?
- How do I request a railcar?
- How do I know if I need a heavy-duty flatcar?
- Who is responsible for loading, tie-down and securement of loads?
- How do I release a dimensional load?
- What are special train charges?
- When are special train charges applied?
- When is circuitous routing required?
- How do I find my marketing representative?
1. Is my load dimensional or of excessive weight?
Excess dimensional loads are described as any load on a railcar exceeding 17 feet above the top of rail and/or 11 feet wide. Additionally, loads that overhang the end sills of the railcar are classified as dimensional loads. Easy access to our weight restriction maps lets you know if your shipment is of excessive weight while on BNSF. Shipments exceeding provided parameters are subject to operating schedules and windows and therefore subject to delays not otherwise affecting normal carload shipments.
2. What is the process to move a load with excess dimension or weight?
The process begins with the shipper following the step by step guide for shipping dimensional loads. See oversized shipments to view this process.
3. Which railroad do I contact to obtain rates, request cars or obtain a clearance?
The shipper must receive clearance, obtain rates and request cars from the originating railroad. In the case of a load originating on a shortline railroad, the first linehaul or roadhaul carrier should be contacted.
4. How do I submit my lading information to obtain a railroad clearance?
Complete the Dimensional Clearance Request Form, by logging into our website. For instructions on how to register on our website or access the form, see oversized shipments.
5. What happens once I submit my information for clearance?
The BNSF Clearance Department reviews the submitted information. Once a determination is made, the customer will be notified via e-mail.
6. What if my load overhangs the edge of the car?
Overhanging loads are assumed to be self supporting at the ends. Overhangs must observe a minimum of 4-in. clearance between the bottom of overhang and the deck of the idler car. Idler cars are required on all overhangs and can be requested when requesting the heavy-duty flatcar.
7. What is an idler, and how do I know if it is required for my shipment?
An idler is an empty car placed between your shipment and the next load. Idlers are required for shipments that overhang the end sills for the railcar and/or are of excessive weight as determined by BNSF's Engineering Department. Idlers can be requested when requesting the heavy-duty flatcar.
8. How do I request a railcar?
- To request heavy-duty flatcars, complete the Dimensional Equipment Request Form by logging into our website. For instructions on how to register on our website or access the form, see oversized shipments.
- To order a standard flatcar, please contact Equipment Distribution.
9. How do I know if I need a heavy-duty flatcar?
The Clearance Department will make this determination based on the characteristics of the load as submitted in the Dimensional Clearance Request Form. This information will be included in the proposal response from BNSF's Clearance Department.
10. Who is responsible for loading, tie-down and securement of loads?
The shipper is responsible for loading, tie-down and securement of shipments to the railcar. BNSF Mechanical offices can provide requirements or a copy of the Open Top Loading Manual can be purchased from the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Please see the contact page for contact information.
11. How do I release a dimensional load?
All loaded dimensional shipments must receive securement inspection and measurements prior to shipment from the originating rail carrier. Please see Step 5 - Receive Inspection for contact information.
12. What are special train charges?
Special train charges are applied to moves that require special handling. Written authorization for special train service is required in advance of train movement. Special train service and charges are in addition to regular freight charges.
13. When are special train charges applied?
Special train charges are assessed for one or more of the following reasons…but are not limited to the following:
- High combined center of gravity, in excess of 106 inches ATR
- Speed restricted cars or restrictions placed on shipments limiting speed to 39 mph or less
- Extreme width of load over 13 feet, 2 inches
- Multiple speed, or stop and walk, restrictions
14. When is circuitous routing required?
Circuitous routing can be required when a load is of excessive size or weight. The routing is necessary to move the load safely to destination. A circuitous routing will affect the freight rate and transit time.
15. How do I find my marketing representative?
| Name | Contact |
|---|---|
| Sean Stacey | Tel: 817-867-6514 |
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