A specialized type of railroad rolling stock designed for the transportation of liquids or gases, these railcars are often offered to individuals or companies involved in industries such as petroleum, chemical, agriculture, and food processing. For example, a chemical company might seek to purchase a railcar to transport bulk quantities of industrial solvents.
These units play a crucial role in the efficient and cost-effective movement of large volumes of materials across significant distances. The availability of such assets facilitates the supply chain for numerous businesses, reducing reliance on alternative transportation methods like trucking, which can be more expensive and contribute to higher emissions. Historically, the development and refinement of this type of railcar have been essential to the growth of industries dependent on bulk commodity transport.