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 Posted - January 17 2013 : 2:20:07 PM
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So, with the " what if" TV train set idea, the bug has bitten me to possibly "create" a full blown tyco Emergency! Fire fighting train set.
Here's what feedback help I would need:
It'll be similar to the cox fire fox set ( with some liberal help from that set)
What power would be good?
What accessories should be included?
Finally, who's good with box art? (Yes, I'm going all out! )
just me Ray... and just because I have Tyco doesn't mean I am not a model railroader
Edited by - rgcw5 on January 17 2013 2:21:15 PM
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Posted - January 17 2013 : 2:40:20 PM
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throw in the US-1 set with the fire truck too 
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Posted - January 17 2013 : 4:14:28 PM
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Definitely have the fire tank car and either a plane or helicopter launcher. Maube a flatcar with shovels, hoses and backhoes. You could also convert a light tower into a fire lookout tower.
As for power, depends on how old or modern. Southern Pacific had a fire train with old 4-6-0's all covered in pumps and tubing. For something more modern I'd go with a GP20.
-Thomas
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Posted - January 17 2013 : 7:03:33 PM
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quote:Definitely have the fire tank car and either a plane or helicopter launcher.
Originally posted by Redwoods - January 17 2013 : 4:14:28 PM
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Are you seriously trying for realistic, or pure outright fantasy? I mean, c'mon, an airplane launcher? If it held ANY water as an aerial tanker, it'd be too heavy to launch that way. THUD. Helicopter, maybe. But still, I just don't see the concept working other than as pure childish fantasy. How about using a Missile launcher to "blow out" the fire? Or a drone launcher, for unmanned video surveillance? I'd think a Fire Train should have MULTIPLE tanker cars of water or foam. How about an 85' flat with a huge aerial ladder to get up and over the terrain? Let's not copy AHM's Fire Train, do something more spectacular if you're gonna go "all out". How about a huge reel of fire hose, that has a missile attached to string it out, then it acts as a sprinkler hose? Let's get these ideas pumping now! 
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - January 17 2013 : 7:23:10 PM
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For power I'd say get yourself a super 630 and attach a big ladder and some flashing lights to top. 
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Posted - January 18 2013 : 12:18:37 AM
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You're going to need some sort of transport for all those firefighers. I'd say a wooden combine with a bright red paint scheme would look right. It needs to have fire-axes mounted beside the sliding door, a box of tools in between the tie rodes down below, and could use something whimsical like a water cannon mount on a plateform. The mantua drover's caboose could also work, as it would allow some amount of "spotting" from the coupla.
A flat with a rugged looking firetruck on it would make another good car.
A serachlight car work caboose could make the best end car. Even with lots of fire, you'd still need lighting.
Some sort of generator car would look best like the Lionel ones with a depressed center.
A tool flat, or a Linonel boat car sans boat would make a good start for an equipment car. Details galore would make the car, but an ATV, rescue-raft dingy, 20+ foot extendable ladders, pole crane and a generator/air compressor would really add to it. As a toy car, all of those major pieces should be removable, but have some sort of "craddle" to sit in on the car. A stack of planks, steel diamond plates or other basic resource would also add detail to the car (even legos) because when you're fighitng fires, sometimes a 2x4 comes in handy.
Oh yeah, the Athearn/Lionel boat car could work too on a consist of more than 5 cars, but I think we'd need other cars too.
Perhaps a 'command car' made of a more dignified car? Some place where the fire chief would figure out how to fix the fire situation.
For a locomotive, with steam it needs the husky look like a "fat boy" 0-4-0, 'booster' 0-4-0 or the like. Bigger may be better, and for Tyco I think the 2-6-2 could be made to look the best.
The locomotive almost certainly must be red. It also needs a rerailer plate to hang on the tender, with basic rerailing equipment. Front and rear cowcathcers and headlights, as well as footboards, appropriate railings and at least 2 figures would also convey the kind of machine you're looking for.
A hood unit diesel could look good if painted smart (or on a low budget) but a road-switcher can look better with details. Extra battery boxes, a conspicuously large horn, a 'fire whistle', a mildly concerned engineer, and several panels labeled "fire extinguisher" add to the effect. Hoses may look appropriate on the locomotvie, but a ladder could be placed on the long left walkway. Any road switcher will do, but I think a 4 axle would look better, or at least a short 6 axle (RSC).
Tyco plymoth swithcers and Athearn Hustlers may be cute to see as fire fighting engines too..... maybe a tandem of these little critters?
On all the cars, extra tool boxes, fire hoses, axes, air tanks and first aid kits would be needed. They'd all need apporpriate fire-fighting schemes that have just a tad of the reflective tape that fire fighting gear has. An extra trainline hose should be added as the water pipe, even if just made out of wire like a knuckle coupler trip pin. Last but not least, there needs to be firefighters. In their gear, one spotting for fire with binoculars, and of course a spotted dog on the caboose porch.
This could really make a neat train, though I'd like to try my nuclear consist first. Thanks for the idea, I'll be thinking about more good cars to add.
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