A standard North American freight car featuring a solid roof, enclosed sides, and sliding or plug doors on the sides. It is used to haul palletized freight, paper rolls, auto parts, and other goods that require protection from weather and theft. While once the most common car on the rails, much of its traffic has shifted to intermodal containers.
Heard on the job
Spot that empty boxcar at door three for the paper mill loading.
Insider tip
A plug door boxcar has doors that sit flush with the side of the car to provide a better seal, often used for insulated loads.
Do not mix it up with
- Box van: Boxcar is the North American term, while box van is the British equivalent.