NMFC 168120 - Railway Tie Plates or Rods | Class 50

To find the correct freight class for your shipment:

1. Stack tie plates in tight, uniform bundles with timber dunnage and steel strapping; add edge protectors and load bundles on 4‑way pallets or skids with no overhang.
2. Band tie rods into hex bundles and cap ends or add guard plates; block and chock to prevent rolling, and note any overlength (8 ft+) to avoid surprise accessorials.
3. If clips are attached, orient them inward and pad contact points with heavy corrugate or rubber sheet to protect adjacent freight and keep a square footprint.
4. On the BOL, use the exact description and class: “Tie plates or tie rods, railway track, iron or steel — NMFC 168120, Class 50.” Include piece count and total weight.

Note: All classifications are subject to Item 170. Verify with official NMFC publications for the most current requirements.

• Class 50 rating lowers LTL spend for dense steel hardware, delivering favorable cost per pound on rail maintenance lanes.
• Single, non‑density classification reduces quote variance and reclass fees, speeding rating and trimming billing disputes.
• Stable, banded bundles move quickly through cross‑docks, cutting handling time and limiting accessorials like hand‑unload or redelivery.
• One NMFC for both plates and rods streamlines mixed shipments for track programs, simplifying BOLs and consolidations from mills and fabricators.