How Much Does A Passenger Railcar Cost?
Cost of the cars ranges from $25,000 to more than $800,000, depending on the condition. Renovating and restoring cars at the highest end can cost more than $1 million. To travel, owners pay Amtrak $2.90 per mile, plus additional fees for services.
Leasing and owning railcars is a serious legal and financial commitment. Enforcement of terms tends to favor the lessor – which may be a bank, a third-party or the railcar manufacturer. Storing excess railcars when there is a downturn in the nation's economy can be expensive as well.
Commentary: The complexity of owning or leasing freight cars
How much does it cost to purchase a railcar?
Today, the typical freight railcar is in the $100,000 to $150,000 range. Overall, there are six basic freight railcar types. But within each railcar type, there are multiple specific design factors. The design options impact each railcar's capital cost.
Railcar economics are as complex as the movement of freight