Fire Engines Photos

Newcastle and Gateshead used to run a Commer Q foam tender, with a central aisle body, painted in their delightful maroon livery with red trim and silver coachlining.

Probably not as effective as this Dennis cereal box, but a much more attractive sight to behold. When I last saw it, in or around 1965, it was based at Pilgrim Street station.

Added by Rob Johnson on 08 November 2017.

The Commer Fot also operated as a standard pumping appliance when required. The central aisle was a later conversion after the pump was removed. It was later transferred to Gateshead before being sold in 1968 and converted to a horse box.

Added by Ronald Henderson on 08 November 2017.

Ron:

Was it the last of their petrol-engined acquisitions? It seemed the rest of their postwar fleet were all diesels.

Added by Rob Johnson on 09 November 2017.

The Fot was built in the brigade workshops by workshops personnel on a locally purchased chassis. It was the first new post war engine. After that came three AEC Regents and the Marquises &c. South Shields was the first north eastern brigade to by a new diesel fire engine

Added by Ronald Henderson on 10 November 2017.

Thanks Ron. To my recollection this was a very professional job, and a great example of what a brigade workshop could do. It would be interesting to know if any photos still exist.

Added by Rob Johnson on 15 November 2017.

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