Category: OTHERS

WX57 DSU This is one of the Emergency Response Units for use on the London Underground. It is a Mercedes Atego with John Dennis Coachbuilders bodywork. It is used to restore services after breakdowns and carries a range of equipment to do so. In the lockers are water pumps, jaws of life, airbags, chainsaws, generators, lighting and refreshments for the workers. It weighs 11 tonnes and cost £140,000. The 10 units are based at Acton, Camden, Vauxhall and Tottenham Hale.

Update: Since late 2009 various changes have been made to the location of these 10 vehicles. They are now at Camden (2), Acton (4), Battersea (2) and 2 training vehicles. Tottenham Hale base closed on 2nd September 2009 and Vauxhall also closed and was replaced by a new location at Battersea.

BV55 UEE is the only rail incident command unit run by Network Rail. The Vauxhall truck is based next to Doncaster station it is available 24 hours a day to attend major incidents on the railways.



The rear view of the RICU which is fitted with satellite communications equipment on the roof. This vehicle is supported by 5 Rail Incident Control Point vehicles and these are further supported by 5 Rail Incident Support Unit vehicles (all Mercedes Sprinters).

DA55 EAO is a long wheel base Mercedes Benz Sprinter that is used by a rail incident support unit by NR.

FG56 PVN This is an example of a 2006 Toyota Hi-Lux that is used by Network Rail as a response unit.

HD51 LHH This NR Ford Transit has a red and blue rectangle livery that continues onto the trailer it tows.



Inside the trailer is an inflatable tent that can be deployed alongside the Transit to expand the amount of space available at the command unit.

A closer look at the equipment trailer, and also into the equipment stowed in the rear portion of the Transit. A closer look around this vehicle can be seen further down the page.

W209 YHJ This NR Ford Transit is a Rail Incident Command Vehicle. In this photograph it has been deployed to coordinate a rescue and has its communications antenna raised. Other NR and police vehicles can be seen in the background.



The rear view of the same Transit, showing the external generator. In the background you can see the exercise that the vehicle is helping to coordinate at a level crossing.

A look at a simulated incident. Rescue workers mingle in front of a train that has ‘hit’ a van at a level crossing.

RE52 BCV This NR Toyota Hi-Lux diesel is decked out in yellow and blue battenburg markings, very similar to a police vehicle. The only difference is that this car’s livery is not reflective. The NR logo and car’s use are shown to the rear.



The rear view of the same car. There are two doors on the back, one opening upwards and the other downwards, to gain access to the equipment carried.

RA54 HLH This Toyota Hi-Lux 250 4×4 is two years newer than the one above and has a totally different livery. It has a side stripe of red and blue checkers, a larger logo and fewer markings on the rear. It also has an amber flashing light bar. Also you can see a ‘Crimestoppers’ advert on the side.

KS54 PXU This is a Network Rail Vauxhall Combo 2000 16V. It has the same blue and red checker livery as other Toyotas, but not a flashing light on the roof.

KS51 MVD is a Vauxhall Astra van response unit. Notice the adjustable floodlight mounted on the roof.

KT04 PXN This is a Clapham Junction (London) based Network Rail Ford Transit Connect. It is call-sign RR39 and operates as a rapid response unit.



The rear and offside view. This type of vehicle has replaced some Toyota Hi-Lux’s (shown below) in urban areas where the 4×4 capabilities are not required.

KM51 VNE This Vauxhall Astra estate is a Rail Incident Response Unit with Network Rail. It has call sign ‘RR1’. It has more livery than the other 51-plate Astra above.



The rear shot of the same car, showing its blue and red battenburg markings, roof-mounted floodlight and amber flashing lights.

This motorbike is also used by NR to patrol and respond to emergencies. The bike is good for getting through traffic and hence is used in places like London and Bristol. Its callsign is RR23.

This overhead shot of a Toyota Hi-Lux ‘Rail Incident Response Unit’ shows off the roof markings. The call sign is RR15 (Romeo Romeo One Five) which is shown on both front wings and the roof. The orange spot on top of the cab helps to identify it as a rail response vehicle. All of these vehicles are fitted with satellite tracking devices so the control room knows where they are.

RX02 KUD RR16 is a sister vehicle to the Midlands Toyota Hi-Lux above.

RE51 GGF A different single-cabbed Toyota Hi-Lux revealing the inside of its equipment area.



Opening the rear doors shows the wooden shelving for equipment.

HD51 LHH In the next few photographs we take a look around this Network Rail Ford Transit ‘Rail Command Unit’. It is used to attend major incidents on the railways. It is a high-roof, long-wheelbase model with amber flashing lights behind the front grille.



The rear view. It is decked out in orange and blue battenburg markings, with gaps between them.



On the roof is an extending Nightscan floodlight mast (with cctv camera), a radio mast, video and satellite facilities (to receive pictures from a helicopter).



Looking down onto the roof, you can see how the floodlights are stowed when the vehicle is in motion.



Inside, we can see the TV to see the cctv pictures, as well as the video to record them alongside other flush-mounted equipment.



The vehicle also acts as a mobile command centre at railway incidents, offering an office equipped with phone, fax and tracking facilities.



Opening the rear doors of the Transit reveals an array of useful equipment, including lights and a generator. The controls for the telescopic masts can also be seen.



The Rail Command Unit also has a trailer which complements its work. Carrying the same livery, it carries an inflatable shelter which fits alongside the passenger side of the van. The shelter is used to extend the amount of covered space there is for the command centre.



The other side of the shelter. In this scene from an exercise an older Ford Transit is being used. It carries ‘Railtrack’ wording, the predecessor of Network Rail, and ‘Rail Incident Command Vehicle’.