The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) on April 30 issued an open request for quotations (RFQ) from manufacturers or railroads for one flat car and one boxcar to help build a Safety Train, “which will help bolster SLSI’s hazardous materials (hazmat) emergency response training offered to short line and regional railroad employees and first responders,” according to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA).
The procurement is part of SLSI’s Safety Train Systems project to acquire, modify, and renovate railcars and other equipment to build the Safety Train, ASLRRA reported in its latest Views & News member newsletter. The train will comprise several cars, including a boxcar converted to a classroom, pressure and general service tank cars, and a flat car with tank car valve and fitting configurations. SLSI also plans to procure roadway-based cargo training trailers equipped with railcar housings, valves and other fittings, according to ASLRRA.
RFQ submissions are due May 30 for the cars, which must have been manufactured in or after 2005 (download RRQs below). SLSI will also consider donations of cars that meet the criteria. Submit any questions via email to slsi@shortlinesafety.org.
“The Safety Train System will bring the training experience directly to railroaders and first responders, providing the opportunity to become familiar with railroad rolling stock, valves and fitting configurations that they may commonly encounter when responding to incidents involving hazmat,” SLSI Executive Director Tom Murta said. “The train will also include a classroom car, eliminating the barrier that smaller railroads have had in providing training space. The STS system will allow us to bring the entire training solution to any rail yard.”
