Thread: New Jersey Transit Police - Rail Rescue Pierce Rig

403922_10150949171211193_1383164517_n.jpg

Photo and video from: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/EM...y/113769656192

Not to pop your bubble by why in the hell does one need a heavy rescue on rails?

Seems like a complete waste of taxpayer money.

By the time you get clearance to go on the tracks you could have already had 10 ATV/UTV's, 5 SUV's, and a light rescue on the scene by driving on the gravel like the rest of us.

They rigs that they have are part of a bigger picture, more so that they are pieces of a puzzle, plus it is staffed by uniformed LEO's so its always ready to roll at a monuments notice.
Plus, here in jersey they run the show when it's within 25 feet of the tracks.
Also, there are many parts of jersey that this would be the only thing to make it to the accident site.

Truck info

New Deliveries | Photos, Specs & Drawings of Latest Deliveries | Pierce Manufacturing

It doesn't need a siren if it's riding on the rails. A horn, yes, but a siren, no.

its got to drive on the road at somepoint so it would need a siren. if it was designed strictly for the rails it wouldn't need tires.
i think its a nice looking rig, and has it's purpose.

I'm sure if there was a derailment or whatever on NJ transit tracks, traffic would be shut down anyways. Doesn't need a siren.... Do you see the tires? If it was only for the tracks why wouldn't they just buy a rail car, It's also meant for over the road travel too.

I can only imagine the stunned look on peoples faces as that thing came through on the rails at a crossing..lol

Originally Posted by CPDG23

Not to pop your bubble by why in the hell does one need a heavy rescue on rails?

Seems like a complete waste of taxpayer money.

By the time you get clearance to go on the tracks you could have already had 10 ATV/UTV's, 5 SUV's, and a light rescue on the scene by driving on the gravel like the rest of us.

dont know about jersey, but around here you could have a derail in sections of tracks between bridges that getting a light rescue into by going down the gravel wouldnt be an option. its one of those thing that seems pointless until its utilized and then worth it weight in gold.

Bottom line :

1. it's a very nice truck

2. Expensive it is, but probably less than a lawsuit !

Originally Posted by dcarrfire45

dont know about jersey, but around here you could have a derail in sections of tracks between bridges that getting a light rescue into by going down the gravel wouldnt be an option. its one of those thing that seems pointless until its utilized and then worth it weight in gold.

Agreed. Plus it brings together railfanning and police/fire/ems-fanning.

Originally Posted by jph2

Agreed. Plus it brings together railfanning and police/fire/ems-fanning.

would that be buffing for all?

Much better warning at crossings than just ditch lights!

that looks like an older pierce model could it be a remount... its not a velocity or a impel?

I can think of so many reasons TO have that that not having it just don't make sense.

Up in Alaska, there's plenty of space where there is NO road access, period, to the railroads. And there's tons of tourist trains.

All your ATV's are great and all, but 10 atv's still doesn't get the toolset that a heavy rescue does, to the scene. Period.

Originally Posted by kkets323

that looks like an older pierce model could it be a remount... its not a velocity or a impel?

It is a Pierce Arrow XT. Pierce has had that type of rig out for years.


It is a great idea. I would rather do that, they be hiking 30-100 yards in to the woods. Especially if there are patients back there.

Originally Posted by ff168577

It is a Pierce Arrow XT. Pierce has had that type of rig out for years.


It is a great idea. I would rather do that, they be hiking 30-100 yards in to the woods. Especially if there are patients back there.

He's right....Quantum, Velocity and Impel are not the only models Pierce currently offers. The Arrow XT is still a HUGE seller, especially in the Northeast, and I would hazzard a guess it's sales equal if not exceed the other models (or at least comes close) in this region.

Im sure that this truck will get used for other things than just on the tracks. The NJTPD is a very active state wide police department and do help out at large scale incidents when available. Im also certain that the truck will not be on the tracks all the time, so a siren IS necessary when it is on the road, regardless of traffic being shut down in the general area of an incident, still needs it to respond from where ever it is at the time.

Plus, they may be able to get closer to a scene due to being rail capable... situation dependent.

The railfan in me is having wet dreams.

That picture was taken on the River Line which runs from Camden, NJ to Trenton NJ. They were drilling on Duck Island in Mercer County which is a remote access area for the rail line.

I think it's a great idea. I know the lights and sirens are used to get to the tracks and all, but my first reaction was "All the lights in the world still won't make a frieght train yeild on the tracks."

If it wasn't for that horrible split fail, these trucks could put pornography out of business.

cool truck. not a fan of the blue and red LEDs flashing simultaneously up front...it'll just be a purple blur at night

I'm surprised they just don't shut the lights off when they are on the tracks.

This truck is outfitted for Rescue, SWAT, Dive, and HazMat operations. I believe some of the other ones they have (yes they have more then one) may also have firefighting capability. Reason for the use on the tracks is so they can get into tunnels(there are TONS running into NYC and in the Newark/NYC metro area), as well as onto bridges for any accidents. The guys who staff this truck are top-notch guys, I was at this event with the NJEMSTF and these guys were great. They also have some carts that go onto the rails to bring equipment and pts up and down the tracks as well. These trucks respond statewide to any place that has tracks in NJ plus NJ Transit has jurisdiction statewide over all rail-lines that have NJ Transit and 10-25ft away from the tracks.

Originally Posted by Bonanno

This truck is outfitted for Rescue, SWAT, Dive, and HazMat operations. I believe some of the other ones they have (yes they have more then one) may also have firefighting capability. Reason for the use on the tracks is so they can get into tunnels(there are TONS running into NYC and in the Newark/NYC metro area), as well as onto bridges for any accidents. The guys who staff this truck are top-notch guys, I was at this event with the NJEMSTF and these guys were great. They also have some carts that go onto the rails to bring equipment and pts up and down the tracks as well. These trucks respond statewide to any place that has tracks in NJ plus NJ Transit has jurisdiction statewide over all rail-lines that have NJ Transit and 10-25ft away from the tracks.

I believe this truck is going to be added to the fleet of Task Force One

Originally Posted by Bonanno

This truck is outfitted for Rescue, SWAT, Dive, and HazMat operations. I believe some of the other ones they have (yes they have more then one) may also have firefighting capability. Reason for the use on the tracks is so they can get into tunnels(there are TONS running into NYC and in the Newark/NYC metro area), as well as onto bridges for any accidents. The guys who staff this truck are top-notch guys, I was at this event with the NJEMSTF and these guys were great. They also have some carts that go onto the rails to bring equipment and pts up and down the tracks as well. These trucks respond statewide to any place that has tracks in NJ plus NJ Transit has jurisdiction statewide over all rail-lines that have NJ Transit and 10-25ft away from the tracks.

False. This truck is solely a Heavy Rescue/Pumper.
The have a fleet of vehicles.
1. The one we have here. Heavy Rescue and Pump ops only. The pump is behind the first set of roll up doors with some pre-piped lines. The rest of the doors hold some pretty serious rescue tools.
2. A Hazmat only truck
3. Special OPS truck ( go to truck for everything including SWAT)
4. Special OPS F350 that pulls #5
5. Dive Trailer, Not it's own truck. Althogh after talking to the guys, there are working on their training and possibly getting a Dive specific truck.

Trucks seen here:
FDNYtrucks.com (New Jersey Transit Police)

removed comment

its jersey.. that thing serves its purpose ..who gives a shi* if it has a siren ? nuff said ..