Big Fire? Look Out, Here Comes the Train!

Some of you may have heard of these firefighting trains, but this is what they look like.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) operates this four car monster, equipped with a minimum of 30,000 gallons of water and fire retardant, powered by two locomotives.  And, sure to win any water fight, it's got a battery of water cannons capable of throwing a plume several hundred feet in any direction.

The typical fire truck and haul about 500 gallons of water, compared to the train's 30K.

This train is dispatched to areas where wildfires are being fought, especially if rail lines run through areas that are not accessible to trucks or other equipment.

In our area, Benton County Fire District 1 used the train to help beat back a wildfire south of Finley back on June 20th.

For more information and some pretty cool photos on the 'fire train,' click on the button below.