Fire Engines Photos

Barry do you know what the chassis number is of this TL?

Added by Wayne Davies on 12 February 2007.

Nfs ordered TL29 MW36 Built in 1940 retired in 1965 ex London fire brigade at B23 KINGSLAND ROAD THEN HORNSEY ROAD HOLLOWAY -1967 FOR TRAINING

Added by Jason on 12 February 2007.

Where is it Barry, and is it to be restored?

Added by Andrew Wright on 12 February 2007.

The registration number is GGK 943 NOT GCK. The TL is one of 7 ordered by the LCC London Fire Brigade under the Home Office Grant Aided scheme in 1940, the NFS wasn't formed until 1941. An eighth identical TL was supplied in 1941 pre NFS. The NFS fitted independent pumps behind the driving position at a later stage. After WWII 4 of the 8 TLs were moved by the NFS outside the London area, London retained GGK 943/944/946/947, these passed to London FB in 1948.

Added by Mike Hebard on 04 March 2007.

Mike Do you or Dr. Hutchinson know where there mailing GGK's are located?

Added by Rodger on 19 August 2007.

Mike: Correction to my earlier question. Do you or Dr. Hutchinson know where the remaining GGK turntable ladders are located? I think I have found one. Rodger

Added by Rodger Birchfield on 19 August 2007.

Rodger, GGK943 is now in Devon being restored; GGK944 was scrapped several years ago after being outside since its withdrawl in the 60s; GGK946 was exported to the States 30ish years ago as a full working vehicle; GGK947 I believe is in Suffolk undergoing restoration.
I saw GGK949 (the 1941 vehicle) in the Midlands in 1983/4 I do not know what happened to it; I have no info on GGK941/945/948. There was no GGK942
Hope this helps.Mike

Added by Mike Hebard on 20 August 2007.

Mike A seller had a watercolor of GGK946 on Ebay. The bidding ended Sunday and I was not the winner. To see the watercolor of GGK946, do a search for Dennis Fire on Ebay and open the completed list. The watercolor is fantastic. Rodger

Added by Rodger Birchfield on 21 August 2007.

Rodger, I did that but can't find the jolly thing, is it still available for viewing?

Added by Pavel Zaremba on 24 August 2007.

I bought GGK 949 in the Midlands at around the time you mention. It looked like the unit in your photograph, but I renovated it and sold it about 10 years ago. I would love to know where it went because I have technical information and handbooks which are now no use to me. Any information would be gratefuly received.

Added by Dave on 24 December 2007.

Dave,
In the paperwork that you still have for GGK 949, is there anything that quotes the chassis number please? This will be a four figure number - most probably beginning "30" and suffixed "A".


Added by Ian Moore on 25 December 2007.

Dave,
Is there any chance I could get a copy of your technical information and handbooks. It would assist me with GGK946. Thank you, Rodger

Added by Rodger on 30 December 2007.

HI can Rodger please contact me on mikecotton@btinternet.com and/or mike.cotton@london-fire.gov.uk - I have some information for you. Many thanks, Mike

Added by Mike Cotton on 07 March 2008.

Found the following on the internet. Thought you folks might want to see it.

Rare bell stolen from Cinderford hotel
08:00 - 23-June-2008
Be the first reader to comment on this story.

A BRASS bell stolen from an antique fire engine at a Cinderford hotel may be the only one in the United Kingdom.
It was taken from the Royal Foresters Hotel between 8.45pm on June 13 and 4pm the following day.
Landlord Ian Martin said: “The bell is irreplaceable, priceless even.
“There were only believed to have been two of these fire engines made and mine is the last in the UK.
“Ours has a turn-table ladder which is really rare.
The bell would only be worth about £50 scrap value but to me it is worth a lot more, I don't think I will ever find another one.
“It would be an extremely long search to find one similar.”
The 1945 Dennis Merryweather Fire Engine is believed to be the last one in the UK.
Mr Martin added: “It had been dry stored for the past 45 years as part of a private collection in Bromyard, there seems there is no chance of getting another one.”
The pub, on Littledean Hill Road, is a former haunt of ex-Littledean resident Helen Mirren.
Ian McMurtie from the Edinburgh Museum of Fire, said: “The Dennis Merryweather's were the first fire engines manufactured after the war.
“Immediately after the second world war finished they started producing these sorts of fire engines.
“They are very rare, originally there would have been about four in Scotland but now there are none. Although the 1945 model is even rarer.
“It is hard to put a price on a piece like that it would depend on who wanted it.”
This vehicle was an important artefact to the history of the British Fire Service and only had one known owner since 1945.
A police spokesman said: “Between 8.45pm on June 13 and 4pm on June 14 unknown offenders stole a brass bell from an old fire engine that was parked at a hotel in Littledean Hill, Littledean.
“It is not known how much the bell is worth as it is the last vehicle of its kind in Britain.”
A reward is being offered for the return of the bell.
If anyone has any information contact Mr Martin on 01594 822034.



Added by Rodger on 23 June 2008.

The good news, for fellow readers:

This engine GGK 943 is now in Devon, England; being restored [as stated above].

A sister engine GGK 946, in Gary, Indiana, USA; being restored by Rodger Birchfield, who has put quite a few photos of her on this 'Site. eg picture #7564, picture #8153, picture #8493, picture #8845 & etc.

So good to see these Trucks, with their epic World War 2 history, getting saved from the rust-heap. In fact, it looks like 3 of the 4 TL's assigned to London; are still with us today.

Regards;
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 07 July 2008.

Pat Do you have photos of GGK 943? And, GGK 946 is in Indianapolis. However, I do own a 1927 Magirus from Gary IN. BE SAFE, Rodger

Added by Rodger on 07 July 2008.

Hi Everyone

I thought that you might like to know that I own a 1934 Morris Magrius 101 ft TL operated by the LFB until 1962 then sold for scrap. It is powered by an 8 litre 6 cylinder White Poppel petrol engine and looks almost identical to GGK. Mine is registered as BLC 555 She also served through the war years at Southwark Fire Station in London. If anyone has an interest I will add a picture of it. I have been working on it for some years but as yet have only finished the engine rebuild



Added by Ian Flashman on 12 July 2008.

Ian Post a photo.

Added by Rodger on 13 July 2008.

Sorry, Rodger; have no pictures of TL GGK 943.
I made my 07 July 08 Post for the benefit of fellow-readers like me; who gaze upon a Posting of a sad wreck, but don't know that there are other, later/earlier, photos of the same truck, restored and running, in all her glory.
So, good luck with your TL GGK 946; and a whole bunch of us will be following with interest your pics of her restoration.
Regards,
Pat_R-B
Canada

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 14 July 2008.

Dear all, I have just come across an advert on a 'car and classic' vehicle website for one of the above mentioned TLs. GGK 949 is listed with an asking price of £10, 000 and there are several photos. It's quite easy to find for those who are interested.

Added by Chris Wood on 09 November 2008.

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