Fire Engines Photos

Hi, wonderfull photo.Was this photo taken at the old station in Bourne street? and do you have a photo of the Dodge parked next to it?Speaking to Bob Newton( he has served at both stations and is still on watch after 36 years) tells me that the large bumper at the front was a counter balance foe the rear cage and used to cause a lot of damage when it hit objects.Great photos please keep them coming.

Added by Shaun R. on 24 February 2009.

I think Somerset had one like this. I read on the internet that it was DYB107C and ran at Bridgwater. I know that Bridgwater ran E.R.F PCK999K but that would have arrived about 1982 as that one was replaced at Preston, Lancs around then.

Added by George A'court on 18 May 2009.

George,Taunton operated OYB 999L-an ERF 84PFS/Perkins/HCB-Angus/Simon 50ft PHP as did Yeovil which was CYC 515J being exactly the same as Tauntons.These being both 50ft Pump/HP's.
Bridgewater operated an ERF84PFS/Perkins CFE/Simon 70ft HP(Hydraulic Platform).
Both the 50ft PHP's are shown on this site,look under manufacturers(ERF)to see them.My picture shows the one still in preservation.

Added by Pete Matten on 18 May 2009.

George,Bridgwater did have DYB 107C,it was a Bedford Simon,very similar to the Corgi model of
many years ago.C reg would make it 1965.

Added by Bob on 18 May 2009.

George,i should have added that it was a PROPER hp,65 foot very probably.

Added by Bob on 19 May 2009.

I hadn't realised DYB107C was a straight HP, it will teach me to believe everything I read on other websites! Thank you for giving me the correct information.

Added by George A'court on 20 May 2009.

This photo was indeed taken at Bourne Street, although I have no idea of the origins of the Dodge. Eastbourne moved into Whitely Road about 1973, and there were no Dodges on the fleet up until that point. East sussex didn't have any either so it wasn't a standby pump.
Interestingly this PHP ran as second-away wholetime pump with a Bedford TK HCB-A WrL as first away. A Dennis F.12 PL was used by the retained as third pump. After 1974, this PHP ran as third pump, crewed by the retained.

Added by Andy Hughes on 19 May 2010.

Yes, it quite a day at Bourne Street when I took this one. It was during the time that the CFOA/IFE Exhibition was on at Eastbourne, and the Dodge that's visible was in fact a Berkshire machine that was "lodging" there.

Added by Ian Moore on 19 May 2010.

HCB body and they also supplied their own design pump acc to A Fisher. And 2x125 gall tanks.

Added by Petros on 25 January 2026.

As it seems was pretty common practice, this PHP was relegated to third due retained pump after only a few years as a front line responder. Fire brigades struggled to find actual uses for these, and my research indicates that many were placed into second line or reserve status quite quickly, or sold off, and none was ever replaced by another PHP. The problems, as confirmed by some commentators on this site, were quite numerous.

First, they were bigger and heavier than regular pumpers, and less responsive and maneuverable as a result.
Second, the relatively short 5O foot (15 meter) boom was not useful in very many actual situations, and required very careful optimal placement of the truck.
Third, accommodation for useful ground ladders was limited.
Fourth, water tanks were typically reduced, due to space and weight constraints.
Fifth, locker space was also less than a regular pump water tender.

So it’s not surprising these were a failure, as they were the answer to a question nobody was asking.

Added by Rob Johnson on 26 January 2026.

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