Genoa firefighters unveil unique Mercedes-Benz vehicle that can handle roads and rails
The Italian fire brigade from Genoa has presented its special vehicle that is adapted for driving on railway lines. This vehicle will allow firefighters to intervene in areas where conventional vehicles would find it difficult to reach.
At the Rivarolo railway depot, footage was filmed of five drivers being authorised to drive this special firefighting vehicle, which is capable of driving on both roads and tracks. The changeover between the two modes is quick.
Although the fire department has not released detailed information about the vehicle, it is based on a Mercedes-Benz truck. The carmaker has previously adapted similar vehicles for firefighters in mountainous areas of Switzerland. These special trucks are particularly useful in inaccessible terrain or during interventions in railway tunnels, where reaching the scene of a fire quickly is crucial. The vehicle carries a supply of water and important equipment.
To move along the tracks, the car is equipped with two axles with special wheels that are normally hidden in the chassis. These axles are usually hydraulically operated, in which case only the front axle is likely to be driven. Control is from the cab using a conventional joystick.
Photo source: www.pexels.com
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