1957 Dennis/Metz TTL – GMFS MuseumThis magnificent TTL served the city of Rochdale in the ranks of both the Rochdale Fire Brigade and GMC Fire Service. It was Rochdale’s only turntable ladder for almost two decades. It is a living reminder of the city Brigade’s glorious past. Today, Rochdale’s majestic 1933 8-bay station, now belonging to the GMFRS, is partially disused, with only 2 front-line Volvo pumps and one reserve appliance parked in the northern wing. The southern wing has been converted to offices, community facilities and workshops.
The museum plaque reads:
‘This appliance, one of the tallest British turntable ladders, was delivered to Rochdale County Borough Fire Brigade in March 1957 and passed to the Greater Manchester Fire Service in April, 1974. It spent all its working life in Rochdale until being withdrawn from operational service in 1976. The 125ft (37m) all-steel 5-section ladder was supplied by Carl Metz of Germany and built onto a Dennis F.21 chassis powered by a Rolls-Royce B.80 8-cylinder petrol engine, developing 150BHP through a 4-speed crash gearbox. A 500 gpm (2250 lpm) centrifugal pump is also fitted. The vehicle has been completely restored to its 1957 condition by the Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum Society.’
The photo was taken on 1.06.2008, at the Greater Manchester Fire Service Musuem 'Dennis Day'. The TTL had a busy weekend - it also attended the Moss Side Fire Station Open Day on Saturday.
Picture added on 02 June 2008
Glad to see that she is safely preserved.
Regards, from canada,
Pat_R-B
Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 11 November 2008.