Shipping via Rail: Cargo Securement Solutions
September 22, 2025
When shipping via railcars it is essential that cargo is secured for the journey considering the risks that may compromise product integrity.
What are the Key Risks during Rail Shipment?
There is consistent vibration when travelling via rail. This coupled with sudden jolts during coupling or braking can shift cargo if poorly cushioned within the railcar. A lack of bracing can lead to cargo shifting during transit, especially critical for stacked items within containers.
Cargo which travels via rail can face moisture or weather condition changes. This exposure can impact on the integrity of packaging, so it is a crucial consideration. Similarly, the conditions of rail yards and open cars can contaminate cargo if not sealed appropriately.
As with any transportation method, impacts when loading or unloading cargo to the railcar can move or potentially damage cargo, so it is important to consider the transportation method when packaging goods.
As railcars often stack items into a confined space, improper stacking could crush lower layers of cargo, so it is important that packaging can cater to stacking requirements.
Cargo Securement Solutions When Transporting via Rail
Limiting damage to cargo when transporting via rail is important. Our end-of-line packaging solutions, utilize a combination of protective packaging solutions, strapping, and wrapping that can mitigate against load impact.
Signode solutions aim to protect against vibration and shocks, load shifting, stacking pressure, environmental impacts, and loading/unloading impacts. We have created a solution focused approach to resolve your challenges.
Our Packaging Solutions
- Edge Protection supports product integrity when unloading and loading goods. Also can protect against load shifting and vibrations by acting as strap edge protectors and preventing crushing or abrasion from handling equipment.
- Strapping secures cargo tightly to assist in preventing shifting during transport
- Custom Protective Packaging is designed specifically for your product and can incorporate our Build-Up Pads and Corrupad® product to distribute weight and resist crushing as well as foam inserts and Multi-Wall™ corrugated pads to absorb vibrations.
- Wrapping shields products from dust, moisture, and abrasion.
- Dunnage Bags to fill spaces inside railcar containers and brace cargo against movement.
- Lashing stabilizes heavy or irregular loads to keep them firmly in place.
Overall, we aim to analyze your product and railcar transport method to present a packaging solution covering our portfolio of solutions.