I sent a picture of a fire train to a bunch of friends who aren't railfans.
One of them came back and ask where the got the water. I don't know.
Is it a lake or river, a company well, a municipal source or what?
I would imagine just like a Fire Department - they would get water wherever they can - I would expect if there is a water source they have the pump capacity to get it aboard the train.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
greyhoundsIs it a lake or river, a company well, a municipal source or what?
Any of the above, I'm sure, although a company well would be a last choice. Most wells are good for less than 20 GPM. Those that kept water tanks full ran constantly, while the tanks were only tapped to fill tenders a few times a day.
Depends on what's quickest and most reliable.
That said - they carry tens of thousands of gallons of water. Even FDNY's "Super Pumper" was only good for 8,500 gallons per minute. Most municipal hydrants are good for maybe 1,500 GPM. In other words - it'll take a while to fill the cars back up...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
NYFD Super Pumpers pumped the water out at a very high pressure. I saw one blow out the windows on a building and knock down the brick wall. It all depends on the pressure you shoot the water at and how your nozzle is set at ( curtain spray which is a light sparay to direct hard spray), The new BNSF fire train tank cars carry 30000 gallons each.
From experience - Filling a conventional 30K gallon potable water car with a single fire hose from the dome top takes about 40 minutes. (a little longer when you find somebody swimming in the car)
Most railroad terminals/ yards usually have very good water systems. Out of the terminal it's whatever is available. Hydrants, pumps with screens, wells, whatever. (Never was anyplace that had a tank when I needed it)
Would not be surprised in the least if with trains in fire service there is a second work train shuttling tank cars around. I would think that HARSCO/Speno and LORAM have a really good handle on what works with the most effectiveness.
caldreamerNYFD Super Pumpers pumped the water out at a very high pressure.
There was only one, and it's in Michigan now.
The pump (DeLaval) could pump at high pressure (350 PSI) at 8,800 GPM. Or could pump 10,000 GPM at lower pressures.
It could take water from up to 8 hydrants, or draft directly from the rivers (it had a small crane to handle the suction pipe).
The tender, also a tractor trailer, carried a lot of hose and a very large nozzle. There were also four "satellites" that resembled regular pumpers, but mainly carried more hose. They were also equipped with large nozzles.
FDNY just put a new super pumper in service. Resembling a normal pumper, it's equipped with a 5,250 GPM pump.
Then there's interesting variation on railroad firefighting equipment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU4c1VG4sRs
Flintlock76Then there's interesting variation on railroad firefighting equipment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU4c1VG4sRs
Need to get a track gang out to stabilize that track!
BaltACD Flintlock76 Then there's interesting variation on railroad firefighting equipment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU4c1VG4sRs Need to get a track gang out to stabilize that track!
Flintlock76 Then there's interesting variation on railroad firefighting equipment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU4c1VG4sRs
I was hoping the crew on that thing had good seat belts!
He does it about 40 or more times and he'll have knocked that left-hand track bumper completely out of the way. Whether that lets the fire car get to the blaze quicker afterward remains to be seen...
Toys (art) imitating life
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