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Our Process

How we deliver seamless, end-to-end rail transportation solutions

How We Work With You


A client-focused approach designed to simplify your rail transportation experience

Need Assessment

We begin by thoroughly understanding your specific requirements, including:

Product characteristics and shipping volume

Origin and destination points

Timing requirements and frequency

Special handling needs or regulatory considerations

Budget constraints and priorities

This comprehensive assessment enables us to design the optimal solution for your unique needs.

Our experts leverage our extensive network to find the perfect railcars for your needs:

Identifying the appropriate railcar types for your commodity

Analyzing equipment specifications to ensure proper fit

For those with idle railcars: evaluating monetization opportunities

Railcar Sourcing & Analysis

Rapidly locating available equipment

Securing the most competitive pricing available

We develop a comprehensive transportation plan that includes:

Determining the most efficient routing options

Selecting the appropriate logistics partner from our vetted network

Optimizing the overall solution for cost and efficiency

Planning interchange points and carrier connections

Creating contingency plans for potential challenges

Solution Design

We present you with a comprehensive solution that includes:

Detailed railcar specifications and availability

Transparent pricing for the integrated service

Implementation timeline and next steps

Complete logistics plan with routing and timeline

Key performance indicators and service level expectations

Unified Proposal

Upon your approval, we coordinate and manage the entire process:

Securing railcar availability according to the plan

Coordinating with our logistics partner for transportation execution

Providing consolidated updates and progress reports

For idle car owners: marketing your equipment to appropriate users

Managing Bill of Lading and documentation

Seamless Execution

We streamline the administrative aspects of your rail shipping:

Consolidating charges from multiple service providers

Maintaining transparent documentation

Simplifying reconciliation and reporting

Providing clear, itemized invoicing

Managing Bill of Lading and documentation

Simplified Billing

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can you source railcars?

Our sourcing timeline varies based on car type, quantity, and market conditions. For standard car types in moderate quantities, we can typically locate equipment within 3-10 business days. For specialized equipment or very large quantities (several hundred cars), the process may take 2-3 weeks. In urgent situations, we can often expedite the process through our extensive network of relationships. During your initial consultation, we'll provide a realistic timeline based on your specific requirements.

What information do you need to begin sourcing railcars?

To start the sourcing process, we need basic information about your requirements: the commodity you'll be shipping, desired railcar type (if known), quantity needed, origin and destination locations, timeline, and any special handling requirements. Don't worry if you're not sure about the exact railcar type—our experts can help determine the optimal equipment based on your commodity and shipping needs. The more details you can provide about your product and shipping requirements, the more efficiently we can locate the right equipment for you.

How do you market my idle railcars?

We market your idle railcars through a multi-channel approach. First, we catalog your available equipment in our internal database, which allows us to quickly match them with incoming requests. Second, we proactively reach out to clients in our network who typically use similar equipment. Third, we leverage our industry relationships with shippers, commercial partners, and transportation companies to identify potential users across the US, Mexico, and Canada. At every stage of this process, you maintain full control—we present all opportunities to you for approval before finalizing any agreements.

Can you handle rush or emergency shipments?

Yes, we have processes in place to accommodate urgent shipping needs. While rail transportation typically involves more lead time than some other modes, our extensive network and established relationships allow us to expedite critical shipments when necessary. For emergency situations, we can often implement special handling procedures and prioritized attention to meet compressed timelines.

Experience the Railbroker Difference

Contact our team today to learn how our unique approach to rail transportation can benefit your business.