EMPTY CAR PIPELINE

Trade In the Crystal Ball and Switch to Solid Data

If you rely on cars from a network pool, then your know the frustrations of an uncertain supply. RailState pulls back the curtain on network car supply, showing you where empties are and how many are moving your way.

Schedule a Demo

Accurately Forecast Your Inbound Supply

Uncertainty about cars enroute opens you to increased risk of idle crew time and last-minute scrambles.

RailState shows exactly how many empties are headed your way and when they will arrive, so you can schedule resources with precision.

  • Accurate arrival insights for inbound empty cars to schedule loading operations efficiently
  • Real-time alerts if inbound supply is delayed or diverted
  • Confirm you’re receiving allocated cars as promised by your carrier
Route Metrics Agriculture

Anticipate Supply Shortages Early

Lack of any insight into network car supply means reacting last-minute, risking increased costs and potential production shutdowns.

With advance notice of regional supply changes, you can proactively mitigate any risk of shortages and maintain production.

  • Early warnings when available empties fall below expected levels
  • More advance time to secure alternative transportation at better rates before shortages impact your operations
  • Reduce risk of costly rush orders or shutdowns from unexpected shortages

Understand Supply for the Entire Market

Do you know how you’re being treated? Are you getting the right amount of car supply? If you can’t answer those questions, you need better visibility. 

Network-wide visibility empowers you to negotiate proactively and ensure fair service from carriers.

  • Identify regions and competitors receiving high volumes of empty railcars

  • Proactively engage carriers with hard data to negotiate improved empty car service

  • Confirm equitable distribution of empties across your market segment
Train Volume All Train Types

Explore Other Use Cases

Verified Car Delivery

Automated confirmation and documented proof of everything through your gate

First Mile/Last Mile

Eliminate uncertainty and manage crew time effectively with visibility into what's headed your way

Fleet Sizing

Reduce fleet size risk with cycle time data over any lane

Railcar Pipeline

Identify car supply anywhere on the network

Carrier Relationships

Have more productive conversations and identify opportunities

Market Intelligence

Explore new opportunities and keep an eye on the competition

Equipment Market Intel

Make informed decisions in the secondary equipment market

Commodity Flows

Up-to-the minute insights on commodity movements across North America

Our Coverage Area

We have completed coverage across Canada, the US-Canada border, the US-Mexico border, and we are quickly expanding  across the United States.

  • Blue: Up to 4 years of data history
  • Green: Coming online within the next 90 days

Latest Insights

View All
Aerial view of container port

Container Crunch Canada: Tackling Increased Dwell, March 2025

Through March 25, RailState data showed increased train volume and larger trains across CN’s network to address the influx of containers. CPKC, on the other hand, has made fewer changes in train volumes or train size.
Read more
Chart of Trains from the US and Canada since February 1

Cross-Border Rail Volumes – March 5, 2025

The volume of railcars moving across the border from Canada has grown even more than train volumes. This is true across most commodity types, with the most recent 7-day average volumes up 17-31% above their 30-day average. 
Read more
Chart of Trains from the US and Canada since February 1

Cross-Border Rail Volumes – March 4, 2025

RailState, the industry's only provider of rail network intelligence independently monitors cross-border train movements in real-time. With tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico going into effect today, we're monitoring the impacts to the rail supply chain as they happen.
Read more
Chart of Trains from the US and Canada since February 1

Cross-Border Rail Volumes – March 3, 2025

March 3 Update - Cross-border rail volumes across the US-CAN border fell over the weekend. Autorack volume from the US into Mexico remained high through the weekend.
Read more
Chart of Trains from the US and Canada since February 1

Cross-Border Rail Volumes – March 2, 2025

March 2 Update - Train volumes from Canada fall. Autorack volume from the US into Mexico spike.
Read more
Chart of Trains from the US and Canada since February 1

Cross-Border Rail Volumes – March 1, 2025

Train volumes from Canada have grown 14% over the 30-day average, and autorack volumes are up 48%.
Read more
View All