Customer Service FAQ   Prepare For Loading Empty Equipment Before placing a car order with us, plan your loading method and schedule as well in advance as possible. Consider, please: -Type and size of car(s) wanted, including the door size if applicable; -Location where car(s) will be loaded, track layout, dock facilities, availability of personnel and equipment to accomplish loading; - The commodity to be loaded, including lading weight, packing materials and bracing to protect sensitive ladings during transit; - Days loading must be accomplished, allowing a couple of days for the railroad to locate a car that fits your specific requirements; - Total number of cars required, including the number you are able to load in one day if ordering more than one car. Please click the Guide to Railroad Demurrage Rules link for more information...We are able to provide a wide variety of rolling stock, which comes from MMA. In addition to the equipment listed in MMA's Rolling Stock, we can obtain additional and specialized equipment from connecting railroads to meet the needs of most shipper.   Place an Order for Empty Equipment Orders for empty railcars can be placed through our Customer Service Center at 1(800)635-9449. Be ready to identify how many and the type of cars you will need, where you will be loading, the approximate date you plan on loading, and the telephone number where the loader can be reached. If you can remain on the line briefly, a CSC representative will give you an order number that will help later if the order needs to be changed, or its status needs to be checked. On public delivery, or "team" tracks, do not schedule loading until notified by phone that empty rail cars have been placed. If you need to coordinate an exact loading date, this can be done on an order-by-order basis. Consult our Customer Service Center representatives for assistance at the time you place your order.   Loading Empty Equipment After MMA has placed a rail car for loading, you will receive an arrival notice if this service was requested in advance, or if you are loading on one of the "team" tracks. Please be sure to load only those cars assigned to your order, since other equipment may be placed at the same location. Before loading your empty equipment, determine the most effective way to position the lading. Here are some important things to consider: The load limit of the rail car- This is the maximum weight of lading that can be loaded. Factors affecting the load limit include density of the product, evenness or unevenness of the top of the load, existence of pockets or voids; the weight of dunnage and bracing. The load limit is stenciled on the side of each rail car and cannot be exceeded. Even distribution of the load- Loading one end of the car or placing the load unevenly longitudinally tends to cause imbalance problems and can result in a derailment of the train handling your car. Load securement- Loading material in open cars subject to shifting or wind erosion while in transit must be properly secured and tied. Loading product higher than the end stakes in gondolas is not permitted. Size of load- Generally, loads over 11 feet in height from the deck of an open car, or loads that extend out over the side or end of a car cannot be handled without special permission. Contact the CSC for special clearance instructions. Liability to the shipper- The shipper is responsible if the car is not properly loaded and causes damage to other lading or railroad property. The Associate of American Railroads (AAR) has published minimum loading rules. For special information, or to report transit damage or loss, please contact our Customer Support Center.   Shipping Instructions Before releasing your shipment, a bill of lading needs to be prepared that contains the necessary information to transport the shipment to its destination. This information can be furnished to us via telephone, facsimile machine or electronic data exchange (subject to agreement). If furnished by telephone, please let us know if you would like us to prepare the bill of lading document on your behalf. The information that we receive via telephone will be used to create the bill of lading. Careful attention should be given to the preparation of this information. It will determine the route over which the shipment will travel to your customer and the freight rate you (or your customer) will be charged.   Additional Requirements Hazardous material- Shipping papers, including a description of articles in a quantity or form, which the United States Secretary of Transportation has established criteria for handling- must be prepared in accordance with Tariff BOE 6000. Placards must also be displayed on the rail car in accordance with Tariff BOE 6000 prior to tendering shipping instructions. Shipments for export- Shipping papers for transportation of articles to a destination outside of the United States, or outside of Canada, must include an accurate description of contents and piece count. In addition, a shipper's export declaration may be required. Entry of the freight into the destination country must be arranged with customs brokers at the port of entry.