Container on Flat Car (COFC)

A Container on Flat Car (COFC) is a container that is transported on a rail flatcar. It can be shipped via tractor/trailer using a chassis as the wheel section.

COFCs are used for moving freight long distances and are popular for shipping goods overseas.

Containers are single-stacked or double-stacked on a flatcar, depending on the size and weight of the container.

The most common sizes for COFCs are 20- and 40-foot containers.

What are the Advantages of COFCs?

Some advantages of using COFCs include:

• They are a cost-effective way to move freight long distances.
• They can be used to ship goods overseas.
• They are popular for moving large or heavy items.
• They can be transported via tractor/trailer using a chassis as the wheel section.

How ar Containers Loaded on to Flat Cars?

Containers are usually loaded on to flat cars in intermodal logistics facilities or at rail depots.

Containers are lifted onto the flatcar by a forklift or crane and secured in place with metal straps.

The doors of the container are then closed and locked.

Containers can be loaded on to flat cars in two ways:

1. Single-stacked – This is when a container is placed directly on top of the rail car.
2. Double-stacked – This is when two containers are placed on top of each other, with the bottom container resting on the rail car and the top container sitting on the bottom container.

Which type of loading is used depends on the size and weight of the container.

What are the Disadvantages of COFCs?

Some disadvantages of using COFCs include:

• They can only be transported via rail.
• They cannot be used to ship goods to certain parts of the world.
• They can only be transported over short distances.
• They are not as popular as other freight shipping methods.

Related Links

Modeling COFC (Container on Flatcar) Trains
Container-On-Flatcar – SCM wiki
COFC (Container On (Rail) Flat Car) – OPIS

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