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Firefighting cars may return to the rails to protect crude oil trains
Well, to be very effective, it seems that any firefighting capability on the train has to END UP in the right place in a derailment. Not PART of the derailment but not 1/2 mile away at the end (or front) of the train. Tall order for such a random event.
I have this image of Paul Newman in 1930’s clothes rubbing a nostril with an extended index finger…
Now, my ideas will work: encase every hazmat carrying tank truck or frt car, every pipeline, every storage tank in surrounding absorbent foam which is impregnated with fire retardent. No problems! Encircle with 5 feet of that foam…
Going out to ragtime, piano solo of the great composer’s “The Entertainer.”
I hope the effort looks like a caboose.
Firefighting cars? Was Lionel ahead of their time?
I like your caboose comment Jim. I put several cabooses on my long G-scale trains. My rationale is that when I break the train up into different sections, there is already a caboose attached. But really, I just like looking at them. Another solution to prevent fires would be to install or retrofit tank cars with crashworthy liners similar to what is on a military helicopter. Its multilayer construction allows the liquid filled cell to be dropped from 65’ without damage. If a projectile penetrates the liner, a sealant between the layers will swell to several times its normal size to contain the fuel. Breakaway fittings on the inlet and outlets of the liner allow the cell to remain intact during an accident and not be pulled apart from sudden stoppage.
One would think fire fighting train would be a good tool for areas that have no access other that the railroad. When there was a fire in Cajon Pass several years ago, A firefighting train would have been quite useful since fires have started on the right of ways. Also a firefighting train would expedite reopening of the line that much sooner. the line
Why not make double hull tank cars like they do for oil ships?
I remember seeing these cars in SP freights in '85. Missed them for photos though.
I remember seeing these cars in SP freights in '85. Missed them for photos though.
This concept has merit. Being a Professional Firefighter (retired), I am going to put my thoughts on hold. I will wait until the systems are in operation.
This concept has merit. Being a Professional Firefighter (retired), I am going to put my thoughts on hold. I will wait until the systems are in operation.
The thud$ you hear are the folk$ holding their collective breath until thi$ happen$ hitting the ground. I can’t imagine any bu$ine$$ finding it co$t effective. From one man crew$ to a half dozen firefighter$ in addition to the operating crew?
As a railfan it would be cool to imagine the manifestation of the concept, I’ve seen the firefighting capability on a rail grinding outfit at work, but realistically I can’t $ee it.