SBB: Three new fire-fighting and rescue trains
SBB is procuring three new firefighting and rescue trains. They will be stationed in Geneva, Melide and Brig. This will enable SBB to ensure a high level of safety on the new Ceva line, in the Ceneri base tunnel and in the Lötschberg and Simplon tunnels, it says.
These will be delivered by the end of 2018 and will be available on the new Ceva route (Geneva Cornavin - Eaux-Vives - Annemasse) and the Lake Geneva region, in southern Ticino (including the Ceneri base tunnel) and in the Lötschberg base tunnel, Simplon and Valais. To enable SBB to reach every point on its rail network within the specified intervention times, the new firefighting and rescue trains will be stationed in Geneva, Melide and Brig. An intervention crew is also on site in each case. They ensure that the firefighting and rescue train is ready for action within a few minutes, according to SBB.
Each fire and rescue train consists of at least one rescue vehicle, one water tender and one equipment vehicle. It reaches speeds of up to 100 km per hour and can tow stuck trains weighing over 1600 tons. The driver's cab and rescue vehicle are equipped with an autonomous breathing air supply, according to SBB. In an emergency, up to 60 people per rescue vehicle can be evacuated. The water tender holds 50 cubic meters of water. A foam system is also available if needed, it says.
The three new firefighting and rescue trains are being built by the consortium Windhoff/Dräger in Germany. This company has already supplied the fire-fighting and rescue trains for the Gotthard Base Tunnel. SBB awarded the contract worth 38 million Swiss francs as an option redemption of the contract concluded in 2012, according to a final statement.
