It goes without saying that using hose ramps for trains is impossible as a railfan and a firefighter, the weight of a train is too much for any hose ramp. If you must place a hoseline across the only way to do it is to dig out the track ballast, between rail ties, enough to pass the hoseline/s under the rail. Better yet STOP all rail traffic near any fire if possible and place road flares far enough back to give train crews enough time to stop the train. Generally anything between the rails if it/they do not move, the train cannot stop before hitting anything/person between the rails, the weight of the train is too much to stop rapidly. Example a train can take a mile to a mile and a half to stop and many track speeds. I was trained by Amtrak in rail operations safety at Penn. Station in Manhattan. See if your local railroad gives rail safety training. Before the above entry I never ever heard of "Hose Ramps for Trolly Cars" You learn something new every day.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
