How to tell if a train is pulling empty or loaded cars? - Trains Magazine

Unit coal and unit grain train freight cars, when moving, usually make a lot more noise when empty than when loaded. Flat spots on the wheels are noisier when a car is empty than when it is loaded.

Mixed-merchandise or manifest trains remind me of the popular persona ascribed to that late, great member of the original "Rat Pack," Dean Martin. Many times, if not most, they are "half-loaded."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Also, know something about how traffic moves in your area.

With respect to the BNSF and UP unit coal train operations figure this rule-of-thumb: if the equipment is moving away from the Powder River Basin located in the northeastern quadrant of Wyoming, then the train is loaded.

With respect to BNFE and UPFE equipment, figure these two rules-of-thumb: if the mechanical refrigeration equipment is running, the equipment is loaded; or, more generally, it the equipment is moving eastwards its loaded and westwards its empty.

The insulated boxcars assigned to the Adolph Coors brewery have a uniform design. When I see this equipment rolling away from Golden, Colo., I assume they're loads. But do remember that, from time-to-time, assigned beer service cars do haul empty kegs and returnable bottles back to the brewery for re-use. Cars containing these empty containers would be classified as loads.

Piggyback flats carrying empty containers and trailers are considered loads. Such a car may not be generating any revenue for the railroad, but it's still considered a load.