How Much Does A Passenger Train Car 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
Phone the purchasing agent of the nearest railroad and ask what old cars the company has for sale; you may be offered a good one right on the spot, or you might receive a list of available cars on which you can submit bids. Watch for old cars on railroad sidings and ask a company official about their future.
Life Aboard Your Own Caboose: How to Buy a Train Car
How much does the average train car cost?
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