Railcar storage Frequently Asked Questions

Viper Rail Car Storage is a leading provider of railcar storage solutions across North America. We specialize in both hazardous and non-hazardous railcars, offering short- and long-term storage for all types of privately marked railcars—empty or loaded. Our network includes locations that interchange with all Class I railroads, and we offer flexible terms, competitive rates, and a high-touch service model designed for logistics professionals and fleet managers.

We store all types of privately marked railcars, including: • Tank cars (hazmat and non-hazmat) • Hoppers • Boxcars • Flatcars • Gondolas • Unit trains Whether your cars are loaded or empty, we can accommodate them within our certified storage network.

Storage costs vary depending on car type, location, and duration. Our daily storage rates typically range from $4 to $16 per car, with inbound/outbound switch charges averaging $100 to $300 per car. Beyond price, Viper helps reduce your total cost of storage by managing the full logistics process—locating sites, negotiating rates, handling communication, and tracking your fleet—so you don’t have to coordinate with multiple providers. We’ll provide multiple location options with competitive rates to help you minimize cost and maximize operational efficiency.

Yes. We offer guaranteed space agreements through flexible “take-or-pay” models. This ensures your cars will always have space, even during peak times or capacity crunches. Guarantees can range from as few as 5 spots to over 100, and often lead to overall cost savings—especially for short-term, high-frequency storage needs.

Viper simplifies and streamlines the railcar storage process. We offer: • More storage locations than any other provider in North America • Pre-established sites with pre-negotiated rates • A single point of contact to manage logistics, tracking, and coordination • A service model designed to save you time, reduce risk, and lower total cost We don’t just store railcars—we act as an extension of your logistics team.

We maintain storage locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, with sites near most major industrial markets. In most cases, delivery from our sites to your destination can occur within 5 to 7 days. [See Our Location Map]

Yes. Viper can develop multi-location storage plans across North America to meet your strategic needs. This includes Storage-In-Transit (SIT) staging, short-term holds, or long-term distribution strategies. Many of our petrochemical and plastics clients use SIT storage to ensure fast delivery to end customers. We’ll help you plan accordingly.

Our founder brings over 43 years of rail industry experience, including 32 years with a Class I railroad and 11 years in dedicated railcar storage. Our broader team includes veterans in logistics, transportation, and operations management—all with a focus on fleet care and communication.

Viper operates 24/7, 365 days a year. Whether you need movement updates or urgent support, someone from our team is always available to assist.

While Viper specializes in storage, many of our certified storage locations offer value-added services such as: • Light maintenance • Cleaning • Inspections If your cars require additional services during storage, just let us know—we’ll coordinate it for you.

Getting started is simple. Just contact us with your basic storage requirements: • Type of railcars • Quantity • Origin and destination • Desired storage duration We’ll then provide you with location and pricing options, walk you through the setup process, and issue a basic storage agreement. Once we receive proof of insurance for your railcars, you can begin billing cars to the designated site—and we’ll handle the rest.