Background & History

During World War II, the increase in war time rail traffic dictated changes in emergency response on the railroads. Especially increasing was the number of railroad tank cars hauling combustible and flammable liquids. Tank cars from every railroad was pressed into service.

With the increased potential for fire created by the increased traffic, railroads were encouraged to provide fire trains to deal with the hazard. Fire trains were built and stationed at both Rutherford, and Tamaqua, both in Pennsylvania. 

Each Fire train consisted of a locomotive, a water tender, and a house car (box car on the Reading). The house car was equipped with a fire pump (made by local pump manufacturer Hale Pump of Conshohocken, PA). The house car also carried American La France Foamite Generators and containers of Foamite powder for use in the generators. Several hose reels and hose with nozzles rounded out the contents of the car. The cars could use the foamite generators for the hazardous liquid fires or just use water for regular combustible fires.