Guide for Industry Authors

Sections:

Guide
Example Cargos - Table
Example Cargos - Details

Heads up! Cargo classes are matched individually, so cargos with multiple classes refit into any vehicle matching one of the classes, not all.

Guide

There are three categories of cargo: passenger, mail, and freight.

Passenger Cargo

1 Simply Passengers

Set CC_PASSENGERS. No other classes needed. Done.

Mail Cargo

1 Just Mail

Set CC_MAIL. No other classes needed. Done.

Freight Cargo

1 Potable Status

Set potable status

CC_POTABLE
CC_NON_POTABLE

This is a boolean flag (true / false), and one of these classes should be set appropriately for all freight cargos.

Do not set both of these classes on a cargo. They are mutually exclusive.

2 Basic Handling

Set any basic handling classes that apply.

CC_PIECE_GOODS
CC_OPEN_BULK
CC_COVERED_BULK
CC_POWDER_BULK
CC_LIQUID_BULK
CC_GAS_BULK

Most cargos should include at least one basic handling class.

You can assign multiple basic handling classes if the cargo is transported in different forms. Be sure to include all applicable classes.

For better compatibility with vehicle GRFs, consider adding CC_PIECE_GOODS, as many cargos can be transported this way. Refer to the CC_PIECE_GOODS section for detailed guidance.

Some unique or non-standard cargos may not use any basic handling classes and instead rely solely on special handling classes.

3 Special Handling

Set any special handling classes that apply.

CC_FLATBED
CC_EXPRESS
CC_ARMOURED
CC_REFRIGERATED
CC_WEIRD

These classes are designed for less common, specialized vehicles and highlight which cargos are best suited to them. They represent a recommendation—'should use' rather than 'can use.' For example, while steel could technically be transported in a refrigerated vehicle, it doesn’t need refrigeration. Similarly, diamonds should be marked as armoured because they require secure transport. However, marking diamonds as flatbed cargo would be inappropriate and unhelpful.

Assign as many special handling classes as genuinely necessary for the cargo.

Example Cargos - Table

Example Cargo	Recommended Classes
Ammonia	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_GAS_BULK
Beans	CC_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_COVERED_BULK
Cement	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_POWDER_BULK
Chlorine	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_GAS_BULK
Coal	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_OPEN_BULK
Diamonds	CC_ARMOURED
Explosives	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_EXPRESS CC_ARMOURED
Fish	CC_POTABLE CC_EXPRESS CC_REFRIGERATED
Flour	CC_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_COVERED_BULK CC_POWDER_BULK
Food	CC_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_COVERED_BULK CC_LIQUID_BULK CC_EXPRESS CC_REFRIGERATED
Goods	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_FLATBED
Grain	CC_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_COVERED_BULK
Iron Ore	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_OPEN_BULK
Livestock	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_WEIRD
Mail	CC_MAIL
Milk	CC_POTABLE CC_LIQUID_BULK CC_EXPRESS CC_REFRIGERATED
Nuclear fuel	CC_ARMOURED CC_WEIRD
Oil	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_LIQUID_BULK
Oxygen	CC_GAS_BULK
Paper	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_FLATBED
Passengers	CC_PASSENGERS
Pipe	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_FLATBED
Quicklime	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_COVERED_BULK CC_POWDER_BULK
Sand	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_OPEN_BULK CC_COVERED_BULK CC_POWDER_BULK
Scrap Metal	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_OPEN_BULK
Sodium Hydroxide	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_LIQUID_BULK
Steel	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_FLATBED
Sulphur	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_OPEN_BULK CC_COVERED_BULK
Timber	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_FLATBED

Example Cargos - Details

Ammonia Example

Cargo description	Ammonia is transported using pressurised tankers, of similar type to those used for gas, so CC_GAS_BULK is set. Although ammonia is transported as a pressurized liquid, it is not suitable for standard liquids tankers, so CC_LIQUID is not set. CC_PIECE_GOODS is set as some vehicle grfs may not provide pressurised tankers, so a fallback is needed (representing ammonia in portable tanks).
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_GAS_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Pressure Tanker

Beans Example

Cargo description	Beans are transported using covered bulk vehicles, and packaged in crates, sacks, boxes etc. Beans require food-grade transport, so CC_POTABLE is set.
Cargo classes	CC_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_COVERED_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Covered Hopper Food Grade Covered Hopper Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive)

Cement Example

Cargo description	Cement is transported by bulk powder vehicles, and packaged in bags, sacks etc.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_POWDER_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Powder Tanker

Chlorine Example

Cargo description	Chlorine is transported using pressurised tankers, using CC_GAS_BULK. CC_PIECE_GOODS is set as some vehicle grfs may not provide pressurised tankers, so a fallback is needed (representing chlorine in portable tanks).
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_GAS_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Pressure Tanker

Coal Example

Cargo description	Coal is transported as open bulk. Coal is generally weather resistant, and more specialised bulk vehicles are generally not used for coal.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_OPEN_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (more permissive) Hopper Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Ore Dump Vehicle

Diamonds Example

Cargo description	Diamonds are armoured, and that's probably all that's needed. CC_NON_POTABLE could be set, but is probably not necessary for Diamonds.
Cargo classes	CC_ARMOURED
Example vehicles	Armoured Van

Explosives Example

Cargo description	Explosives are valuable, high priority cargo, suitable for armoured or express vehicles. CC_PIECE_GOODS is set as explosives can also be transported in ordinary goods vehicles.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_EXPRESS CC_ARMOURED
Example vehicles	Armoured Van Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive)

Fish Example

Cargo description	Fish is suitable for high priority express transport, or refrigerated transport. Fish requires food-grade transport, so CC_POTABLE is set.
Cargo classes	CC_POTABLE CC_EXPRESS CC_REFRIGERATED
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Refrigerated Vehicle

Flour Example

Cargo description	Flour is transported using bulk powder vehicles, covered bulk vehicles, and packaged in sacks, bags etc. Flour requires food-grade transport, so CC_POTABLE is set.
Cargo classes	CC_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_COVERED_BULK CC_POWDER_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Covered Hopper Food Grade Covered Hopper Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Powder Tanker

Food Example

Cargo description	Food is a generic cargo, and can be transported in many forms, including high priority express vehicles, ordinary goods vehicles, rerigerated vehicles, food tankers, and covered bulk food vehicles. Food requires food-grade transport, so CC_POTABLE is set.
Cargo classes	CC_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_COVERED_BULK CC_LIQUID_BULK CC_EXPRESS CC_REFRIGERATED
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Covered Hopper Food Grade Covered Hopper Food Tanker Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Refrigerated Vehicle Tanker Vehicle (more permissive)

Goods Example

Cargo description	Goods is a generic cargo, and is transported using general cargo vehicles, or flatbed vehicles.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_FLATBED
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Flatbed Vehicle Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive)

Grain Example

Cargo description	Grain is transported using covered bulk vehicles, or in sacks, bags etc using general cargo vehicles. Grain requires food-grade transport, so CC_POTABLE is set.
Cargo classes	CC_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_COVERED_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Covered Hopper Food Grade Covered Hopper Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive)

Iron Ore Example

Cargo description	Iron Ore is transported as open bulk. Iron ore is generally weather resistant, and more specialised bulk vehicles are generally not used for iron ore.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_OPEN_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (more permissive) Hopper Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Ore Dump Vehicle

Livestock Example

Cargo description	Livestock is a unique cargo, and vehicles should handle it using the cargo label LVST. CC_WEIRD also set to flag that this cargo is non-standard and should be handled using a label. The base game sets livestock to CC_PIECE_GOODS, but this is not considered helpful for grfs.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_WEIRD
Example vehicles	Flatbed Vehicle Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive)

Mail Example

Cargo description	Mail is simple.
Cargo classes	CC_MAIL
Example vehicles	Mail Van

Milk Example

Cargo description	Milk is transported as high priority freight in express vehicles, as temperature controlled cargo in refrigerated vehicles, and in food tankers. Milk requires food-grade transport, so CC_POTABLE is set.
Cargo classes	CC_POTABLE CC_LIQUID_BULK CC_EXPRESS CC_REFRIGERATED
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Food Tanker Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Refrigerated Vehicle Tanker Vehicle (more permissive)

Nuclear fuel Example

Cargo description	Nuclear fuel, typically transported as high-risk cargo in suitable shielded containers. CC_WEIRD is set to indicate that the cargo should be handled directly by label. CC_ARMOURED is set because nuclear fuel is valuable and should be protected from theft. This provides a fallback, but means vehicle grfs may need to exclude nuclear fuel from armoured vehicles.
Cargo classes	CC_ARMOURED CC_WEIRD
Example vehicles	Armoured Van Flatbed Vehicle Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive)

Oil Example

Cargo description	Oil is transported in tanker vehicles.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_LIQUID_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (more permissive) Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Tanker Vehicle (less permissive) Tanker Vehicle (more permissive)

Oxygen Example

Cargo description	Oxygen is transported as a gas under pressure. CC_PIECE_GOODS is set as some vehicle grfs may not provide pressurised tankers, so a fallback is needed (representing ammonia in portable tanks).
Cargo classes	CC_GAS_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (more permissive) Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Pressure Tanker

Paper Example

Cargo description	Paper is transported using general cargo vehicles or flatbed vehicles. Although paper is sensitive to weather, it can be assumed that it is suitably protected by packaging for transport.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_FLATBED
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Flatbed Vehicle Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive)

Passengers Example

Cargo description	Passengers is simple.
Cargo classes	CC_PASSENGERS
Example vehicles	Passenger Vehicle

Pipe Example

Cargo description	Pipe is transported using flatbed vehicles or general cargo vehicles.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_FLATBED
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Flatbed Vehicle Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive)

Quicklime Example

Cargo description	Quicklime is transported using covered bulk vehicles, or bulk powder vehicles. Quicklime can also be transported as general cargo in barrels etc, so CC_PIECE_GOODS is set as a fallback.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_COVERED_BULK CC_POWDER_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Covered Hopper Industrial Covered Hopper Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Powder Tanker

Sand Example

Cargo description	Sand is transported using open bulk vehicles, covered bulk vehicles, or using bulk powder vehicles. Although CC_PIECE_GOODS could be set for sand in bags, that isn't necessary as CC_BULK_OPEN is widely supported by vehicle grfs.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_OPEN_BULK CC_COVERED_BULK CC_POWDER_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (more permissive) Covered Hopper Industrial Covered Hopper Hopper Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Ore Dump Vehicle Powder Tanker

Scrap Metal Example

Cargo description	Scrap Metal is transported using open bulk vehicles. Although CC_PIECE_GOODS could be set, representing scrap metal in bales or cubes, that isn't necessary as CC_BULK_OPEN is widely supported by vehicle grfs.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_OPEN_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (more permissive) Hopper Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Ore Dump Vehicle

Sodium Hydroxide Example

Cargo description	Sodium Hydroxide is transported using tanker vehicles, or as piece goods in barrels etc.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_LIQUID_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Tanker Vehicle (less permissive) Tanker Vehicle (more permissive)

Steel Example

Cargo description	Steel is transported as pieces, coils, etc, using general cargo vehicles or flatbed vehicles.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_FLATBED
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Flatbed Vehicle Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive)

Sulphur Example

Cargo description	Sulphur is transported using covered bulk and open bulk vehicles.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_OPEN_BULK CC_COVERED_BULK
Example vehicles	Box Van (more permissive) Covered Hopper Industrial Covered Hopper Hopper Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive) Ore Dump Vehicle

Timber Example

Cargo description	Timber is transported using general cargo vehicles or flatbed vehicles.
Cargo classes	CC_NON_POTABLE CC_PIECE_GOODS CC_FLATBED
Example vehicles	Box Van (less permissive) Box Van (more permissive) Flatbed Vehicle Intermodal Container Vehicle Open Cargo Vehicle (less permissive) Open Cargo Vehicle (more permissive)

FRAX Cargo Class Scheme