General Car Order Policy

As demand for our equipment increases, the need for accurate forecasting becomes essential to our success in providing shippers with on-time delivery of empty equipment. The Car Order Policy will improve order accuracy and the efficiency of the fleet by matching equipment supply with true demand.

In the past, Union Pacific has operated without a standardized Car Order Policy. Rules and consistency varied between and within car types. We found these conditions made things difficult, confusing, and inefficient for both our customers and Union Pacific. This policy will provide simplicity, predictability and efficiency.

This policy does not include GCAS, PCAS or REZ1 container orders. These ordering systems remain the same.

  • Customers may place weekly car orders from 10 to 60 days in advance of the want date.
  • The car order weekly time frame is from Sunday (12:01 a.m.) to Saturday (11:59 p.m.).
  • Only one car order can exist for the same equipment type in the same weekly time frame.
    • Multiple orders may be placed for the same week, as long as they are for different car types.
  • Every Saturday at 11:59 p.m., non-applied car orders for the week just ending will expire.
    • This will not impact applied cars on orders, en route to shippers, but not yet delivered.
    • The unfilled order count will be deducted from the total order, thus reducing the overall car order count to the number of cars delivered and en route.
    • If no cars have been applied to the car order, the car order will expire.
    • If customers still require the unfilled orders to be filled, a new order must be placed for that quantity.
  • Customers may reduce car orders to the number of cars already applied at any time.
  • Customers may increase car orders themselves, outside the 10-day window.
    • For adjustments within the 10-day window, customers must contact the Equipment Distribution (EQD) Team.
    • EQD requires a 72-hour advance notice to assess equipment availability.
    • Requested change approval pending equipment availability and delivery date request.
  • Any rail equipment in clean working condition returned empty to the railroad will be subject to an "order not used" tariff charge (6004-C, Item 9015-D) if rail equipment was placed or delivered to the customer within +/- two days of the want date.

This policy is intended to encourage improved accuracy of orders, which will reduce unnecessary empty miles and repositioning of equipment. By managing weekly time frames, Union Pacific and its customers will benefit by more efficient management of inventory and order files. Our aim is to improve car availability and predictability of delivery for our customers.

If you have any questions regarding the Car Order Policy, please contact your sales representative.