88 Questions
What is a key difference between the National Highway System and the Nation's rail network?
The Nation's rail network is private property
What happens to Emergency Response personnel after the immediate emergency has been mitigated?
They become invited guests of the Railroad
Why is it important for Incident Commanders to have a Railroad representative or trained Heavy Rail Safety Liaison?
To advise on how Railroad procedures and Emergency Operations procedures can work in concert
What do Railroads maintain contracts with during Rail Incident Mitigation?
Hazardous Materials clean up companies, heavy equipment operators and other hazard-mitigation companies
What should Emergency Response Commanders do during Rail Incident Mitigation?
Avail themselves of assets not available on other incidents
Why do Railroads have their own procedures for emergency response to incidents not involving threats to life and public property?
Because they are self-Insured
What is a significant consideration when dealing with Railroad incidents?
The fact that Railroads are private property
What is one way that Emergency Response personnel may be affected by the private property status of Railroads?
They may be asked to leave at any time
What is the purpose of the emergency side door release in a MARC II passenger trailer car?
To exit the car quickly in emergency situations
What is the primary material used for the exterior shell of a MARC II passenger car?
Steel
What is a key challenge for responders entering a derailed MARC II passenger car?
Luggage racks and stored items
What is the approximate weight of a MARC II passenger car?
100,000 lbs
What is a safety feature available in MARC II passenger cars?
Portable fire extinguisher
What is the typical seating arrangement in a MARC II passenger car?
Rows of two or three seats on each side of the middle isle
How many commuters can a MARC II passenger car carry?
120 commuters
What is the advantage of MARC II passenger cars in the event of a collision?
They are designed to withstand the impact with far more survivability
What is the purpose of early recognition and request for specialized resources during an event?
To assist in event resolution
What is a common feature of train stations in the National Capital Region?
They are found in a variety of designs and sizes
What is a potential use for rail station parking facilities during an emergency?
Triage and equipment staging area
Why is it important for responders to evaluate railroad stations?
To assess the structural integrity of the station
What is a concern regarding train stations?
They are vulnerable to terrorist attacks
What is a common response of commuter railroads during an emergency?
To halt trains at the closest station
What is a potential consequence of a terrorist attack on a train station?
Major damage to the structure and harm to commuters
What is the purpose of pre-planning train station locations and structures?
To facilitate emergency response planning
What is the purpose of the Emergency End Door Switch?
To open or release the door in case of malfunction
How can you operate the Emergency End Door Switch?
By lifting the red colored guard and putting the toggle switch in the open position
What type of doors separate the vestibule from the passenger compartment?
Inside end doors
What is a characteristic of inside end doors?
They are electric or electro-pneumatic operation
What is the purpose of the vestibule?
To connect multiple cars together
What happens when the Emergency End Door Switch is used?
The door opens or releases
What is a feature of exterior side doors?
They are arranged in matched sets
What can be done to open a malfunctioning inside end door?
Use the Emergency End Door Switch
What is the purpose of outside end doors on a freestanding passenger rail car?
To protect the car from the elements
How are outside end doors secured when two passenger cars are joined together?
They are secured in an open position
What is unique about the outside end doors of a Marc III car?
They do not have outside handles
What is the purpose of the drop plate on the floor and rubber diaphragms at the ceiling and sides when two passenger cars are joined together?
To enclose the connection between the two cars
How do passengers typically exit the train from a lounge, diner, or buffet car?
Through the end doors to another car and then exit the train
What is typically found in the joint vestibule between two connected passenger cars?
One or two sets of exterior side doors
What is the purpose of the inside end doors on a passenger rail car?
To provide a means for passengers to pass from one car to another
What is done to the inside end doors when two passenger cars are joined together?
They are left closed but unlocked
What is the primary method of operating passenger car exterior doors under emergency conditions?
Manually
What is the purpose of the 'soft spot' on the roof of passenger rail cars?
To provide a safe area for cutting with a circular rescue saw
What can prevent exterior doors from sliding into their pocket, even when controls are bypassed?
Damage to the exterior of the passenger car
What type of doors are typically found on passenger rail cars?
Three types: outside vestibule end doors, inside end doors, and exterior entrance side doors
Why is it essential to understand how a train door operates during an emergency?
To ensure quick entry without damaging the door
What is unique about the 'soft spot' on the roof of passenger rail cars?
It is clear of electrical wiring and high-pressure air lines
What is the correct term for the door at the end of a passenger rail car?
All of the above
Why is it important to understand the different types of doors on a passenger rail car?
To develop effective forcible entry techniques
Which railroad company owns and operates rail lines in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia?
CSX Corporation
What is the name of the first mainline track of CSX that enters Montgomery County in Maryland?
Metropolitan Subdivision
What is the name of the rail line that originates in Baltimore and parallels highway Route One in Prince George's County?
Capital Subdivision
Which rail line traverses through Frederick County?
Old Main Line
What is the name of the commuter service similar to MARC System in Virginia?
Virginia Railway Express
What is the name of the predecessor railroad of CSX Corporation?
All of the above
In which county does the mainline track of CSX enter Montgomery County?
Northwest corner
What is the designation used by MARC Commuter Services for the mainline track of CSX?
Brunswick Line
What is the primary purpose of track switches or crossovers on a railroad?
To move a train from one track to another
What is the force with which track switches close when operated?
Several hundred pounds
What type of fuel is used to power portable heaters attached to track switches?
Kerosene
What is the voltage of signal power lines that operate switches, signals, and other equipment on a railroad?
Up to 6,900 volts
What is the purpose of heaters attached to track switches?
To maintain the operability of switches in freezing rain and snow conditions
What is the capacity of LPG tanks that supply switch heaters?
1000 gallons
Why should emergency responders keep their feet, hands, tools, and equipment clear of track switches?
Because the switches may close at any moment without warning
Why should responders be cautious around open flames on track switches?
Because they may be a source of ignition for fuel spills
What voltage of AC electrical power is carried by the overhead catenary lines in Amtrak's electrified territory?
12,000 volts
What is the primary hazard associated with the fusees used to signal trains to stop?
Open flames igniting combustibles
Which of the following is a common feature of passenger trains in the Washington Metropolitan area?
Staffing with a conductor and an engineer
What is the primary concern when firefighters operate on roadway bridges spanning Amtrak tracks?
Hose streams getting too close to energized wires
What is the typical procedure for extinguishing a 'stack fire' on a train?
Cooling the exhaust manifold
Which of the following passenger rail service lines converges in Union Station within the District of Columbia?
MARC, VRE, and Amtrak
What is the primary concern when dealing with overhead catenary lines in Amtrak's electrified territory?
Electrical shock from the wires
What is the purpose of searching the cab area of a train before attempting to extinguish a fire?
To ensure the crew is not on the train
What is a distinctive feature of VRE cab cars?
Yellow and black stripes on the end of the cab car
What is the primary function of the control stand in a cab car?
To operate the locomotive at the opposite end of the train
Why is it important to determine the front of the train in a railroad crash or derailment?
To avoid confusion when the train is in push mode
What is a common feature of cab cars?
Bathrooms and wheel-chair lifts for passengers
What is the purpose of using spray paint to number and identify car positions in a train accident?
To label the cars for easy identification
What is the primary means of keeping the train body on the two truck assemblies in freight cars?
Gravity
What is a challenge for emergency responders when dealing with a train in push mode?
Determining the front of the train
What is unique about the doors of a cab car?
They are similar to regular passenger car doors
What is the purpose of the truck assemblies in freight cars?
To ensure the train body does not roll to an undesired location
What is the role of the Incident Commander in a railroad incident?
To coordinate emergency response efforts
What is unique about passenger cars compared to freight cars?
They have a supplementary restraining device
What is the purpose of 'tight-lock' couplings on passenger cars?
To keep the passenger cars coupled together in a derailment
What is marked on passenger cars?
A permanent number assigned by the railroad
What is the purpose of the public address and intercom system on passenger cars?
To address passengers in the whole train or individual car
What is the typical power source for the 110-volt outlets in passenger cars?
Head-end power
What is a safety feature of passenger cars that helps prevent accidental uncoupling in a derailment?
Tight-lock couplings
Study Notes
Railroad Emergency Response
- The Nation's rail network is private property, which affects emergency response considerations.
- Emergency responders become "invited guests" of the Railroad once the immediate emergency is mitigated, and may be asked to leave at any time.
- Railroads are self-insured and have their own procedures for emergency response to incidents not involving threats to life and public property.
Railroad Facilities and Track Roadway
- Railroad facilities and track roadway have unique operational considerations for emergency response.
- Incident Commanders should have a Railroad representative or trained Heavy Rail Safety Liaison to advise on Railroad procedures and Emergency Operations.
Accessing Rail Equipment
- Responders must know how to access all types of rail equipment doors in the event of rescues.
- Center exterior doors of rail cars can be obstacles for responders.
Passenger Rail Cars
- MARC II passenger rail cars are manufactured by Nippon Sharyo and are similar to VRE II cars.
- MARC II cars weigh approximately 100,000 lbs. and have a ¾ inch stainless steel exterior shell.
- MARC II cars are designed to withstand impact from collisions with greater survivability than light rail subway train cars.
MARC II Car Features
- Each MARC II car carries approximately 120 commuters.
- MARC II cars have luggage racks located above the heads of passengers.
- MARC II cars have safety equipment, including a portable fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and tool kit.
Train Stations
- Train stations in the National Capital Region (NCR) vary in design and size.
- Station construction types range from masonry to wood frame structures with canopies.
- Train stations are owned by major railroads and by state, local, and federal agencies.
- Some train stations are staffed, while others are unattended and utilize vending machines for ticketing.
- Train stations can be used as triage and equipment staging areas during emergencies.
Terrorist Threats to Train Stations
- Train stations are potential targets for terrorist attacks, as they are assembly areas for commuters.
- Responders should evaluate railroad stations for structural integrity and pre-determine the effects of a possible blast and damage.
Types of Passenger Rail Car Doors
- There are three types of doors: outside vestibule end doors, inside end doors, and exterior entrance side doors.
Outside End Doors (Collision Post Doors or Body End Doors)
- Located on the exterior of a freestanding passenger rail car
- Protect the car from the elements
- Separate the vestibule from the exterior of the car
- Manually operated hinged doors
- Typically have latch handles on both sides and lock on the inside
- Can be latched and locked shut, but can be opened from the inside with a standard Amtrak coach key
Inside End Doors (Interior Vestibule Doors)
- Located on the interior of a freestanding car
- Separate the vestibule from the passenger compartment
- Protect the passenger compartment from noise and drafts of the joint vestibule
- Electric or electro-pneumatic operation
- Typically have an Emergency End Door Switch on both sides to open or release the door in case of malfunction
Exterior Side Entrance Doors (Vestibule Side Doors)
- Allow passengers to enter and leave the train
- Arranged in matched sets with a door on each side of the car, opposite its mate
- Can be located at the vestibule on one end of a car, at both ends of a car, or in the middle of the car
- Some passenger rail cars have an access panel or "soft spot" on the roof that can be cut with a circular rescue saw for emergency access
General Information on Passenger Rail Car Doors
- Due to heavy construction, egress should be through doors or windows
- Passenger car exterior doors can be manually, electrically, or electro-pneumatically operated
- Under emergency conditions, all doors can be manually operated
- Manual doors are hinged or slide into a pocket, while electric and electro-pneumatic doors also slide into pockets
- Damage to the exterior of the passenger car can prevent doors from sliding into the pocket, making it difficult to force open the doors using hydraulic entry tools.
Railroad Components and Safety
- CSX Corporation owns and operates rail lines in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia
- Three major CSX rail lines in Maryland:
- Metropolitan Subdivision (also known as the Brunswick Line)
- Capital Subdivision (also known as the Camden Line)
- Old Main Line
- Virginia Railway Express (VRE) provides commuter service similar to MARC
- Mileposts may be missing or difficult to read due to vandalism and lack of maintenance
Railroad Switches and Hazards
- Track switches are located at various locations on the railroad
- Switches operate remotely by railroad controllers and can open or close without warning
- Switches can crush body parts with several hundred pounds of force
- Emergency responders should keep feet, hands, tools, and equipment clear of switches
- Switches may have heaters attached to maintain operability in freezing rain and snow conditions
Amtrak's Electrified Territory
- Amtrak's electrified territory utilizes overhead catenary lines carrying 12,000 volts of AC electrical power
- The electrical current can arc up to three feet, which can electrocute anyone within three feet of the catenary lines
- Consider all wires to be energized until advised otherwise by a qualified Amtrak electrical traction employee
- Firefighters operating on roadway bridges spanning Amtrak tracks should be cautious of wires affixed under the bridge
Passenger Rail Service
- MARC, VRE, and Amtrak provide passenger rail service in the Washington Metropolitan area
- Most passenger trains are staffed with a conductor and an engineer
- Commuter passenger trains with large numbers of riders usually have an assistant conductor and additional service personnel
- Cab-cars are equipped with horns and headlights, and have a small control stand for the operator
Cab-Car Safety
- Cab-cars can cause confusion as to which part of the train is the forward end
- It is crucial for the Incident Commander to determine the front of the train in a railroad crash or derailment
- Use spray paint to number and identify car position relative to the front of the train
A comprehensive guide for emergency response in railroad facilities and track roadways. Covers operational considerations and safety protocols. Approved by the COG Fire Chiefs Committee.
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