Railcar Recycling

Convert Retired Railcars into Cash

Transporting decommissioned railcars over long distances can be costly and logistically challenging. That’s why we operate over 46 recycling facilities across the Northwest, providing you a convenient railcar scrapping solution that’s close by. Whether your railcars are retired, out-of-service, or damaged, we offer fair payment, allowing you to turn your railcars into cash while we manage everything else.

Railcars Pacific Steel & Recycling Recycles

If It's Metal, We'll Cut It Up

From aluminum to steel, coal cars to intermodal well cars, and more, at Pacific Steel & Recycling, we will recycle any railcar. If you can move it one more time to our recycling facilities, we will buy it and pay you a fair price.

Serving the Northwest with 46 Locations

Our Railcar Recycling Process

Initial Inspection

Our team conducts a thorough assessment of the railcars involved in derailments to determine recycling opportunities. We identify materials suitable for recycling while ensuring all safety standards are met.

Railcars on a track - Out of Service Railcars

Cleaning, Purging, & Certification

We work alongside contractors to safely dispose of hazardous materials, ensuring environmental protocols are followed. Railcars are then certified empty, clean, and ready for recycling.

Out of Service and Damaged Railcar Recycling - Railcar Wheels

Dismantling

Critical components are removed and sorted carefully, maximizing the railcar’s value by preparing materials for efficient recycling. This process reduces waste and optimizes the scrap value of the railcar.

Pacific Steel & Recycling Railcar Recycling

Cutting, Shredding, & Sorting

The metal body of the railcar is divided into sections, which are then cut into smaller pieces and passed through shredders, creating scrap metal fragments.

Pacific Steel & Recycling Railcar Recycling

Recycling & Repurposing

Recovered railcar materials are then melted down and brought back to life in new products, such as construction materials, machinery, or even new railcars.

Pacific Steel & Recycling workers during Railcar Recycling process

Payment & Finalization

Once the recycling process is complete, payments are finalized based on the net weight and scrap value of the materials that are recovered.

Damaged Railcar Recycling

Frequently Asked Questions

The scrap value of a railcar depends on several factors, including its weight, the type of metals used in its construction, and current scrap market prices. We will assess your railcar’s net weight and offer a fair payout based on the value of the recoverable materials.

The recycling timeline varies depending on the condition of the railcar and the complexity of dismantling it. With some of the largest shredders in the Northwest, our biggest facilities can process 10 railcars a day.

Yes, even damaged or decommissioned railcars have scrap value. Many components can still be recycled. You will receive a payout based on the net weight and materials of the railcar.

Contact Us Today

For more information about our railcar recycling services, reach out to Rail Transportation Manager Phil Van Tassel.