this invention relates to a system for efficiently transporting large quantities of initially loose pieces of irregularly shaped scrap sheet metal by temporarily compressing batches of such pieces together into unitary slabs and then forming stacks of numerous slabs , arranged in closely fitted rows within open - top railroad cars or truck trailers . each slab is formed by ramming a batch of pieces against a vertical plate so that the slab is generally vertically arranged . the slab is then allowed to gravity - fall upon a downwardly tilted table . a second slab is formed and similarly allowed to fall on the table in end - to - end contact with the first slab . the table is then tilted into a horizontal position . a horizontal magnet is positioned to overlap and engage both slabs simultaneously . the magnet is supported by a crane which lifts and moves the magnet over the open - top railroad car or truck and deposits the pair of slabs into an adjacent pair of stacks . the successive stacks are arranged in closely positioned rows for substantially filling the car or trailer which then transports the slabs to a recycling location .