Best Practices for Shipping Scrap Steel

Announcement Number: IN2024-5
Categories: Metals
Posted Date: April 22, 2024

To Our Customers,

Union Pacific is committed to safely delivering your product from origin to destination. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has established proper loading rules for commodities to keep shippers and railroad employees safe, along with the communities we serve.

Please refer to the AAR Loading Figure 87, Section 2 for Scrap, Metal, Loose and Baled traveling in gondolas for the current loading rules. Generally, the loading figure covers:

  • Loose Scrap
    Metal must be below top of car sides and ends of the car at any point of the load.
  • Light Scrap
    Metal loaded 12 in. below top of car sides and ends requires no securement or covering.
  • Baled Scrap
    Extending above car sides and ends must engage car sides, ends and adjacent bales by minimum of 50% of bale.

Shipments found in violation are subject to being reworked at the customer’s expense.

For additional information, please visit the AAR website or the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) website.

If you have any questions please contact your Union Pacific representative.