Fire Engines Photos

Chris,
The Dodge was acquired by Berks County central workshops at Whitley Wood, Rdg when it came off the run, they used it as their recovery vehicle.
Berks County workshops were closed and the contract for maintenance of their vehicles and plant was taken over by the Renault main dealer in Bennett Rd, Reading the Dodge was transferred to them as part of the contract.
I last saw it there in 2001, by this time it had been painted silver and had a full amber light bar on the cab otherwise it remained as was.
Enquiries will be made to people I know.

Regards to you and your Dad. Alan J

Added by Alan Jones ex Berkshire on 26 June 2011.

Ed,
Heavy Rescue/Recovery Vehicle of the then Royal Berkshire Fire Brigade, spent all of its operational service at Stn.2, Wokingham Rd.Reading. AJ.

Added by Alan Jones ex Berkshire on 26 June 2011.

It came to us at Renault Trucks in B.C.C yellow - we then painted it white.
I recovered it when B.C.C still operated it after it was involved in a collison.The cab was a write off and one from an appliance was fitted to it.
Steve

Added by Steve Rush on 31 July 2011.

Steve,
Thanks for the information, I stand corrected on the colour!
Can you give us any subsequent history on its use by Renault Trucks and its present whereabouts.
Have you any of the ex Berks C C guys at Bennett Rd.
Are you big Steve ! who use to do a lot of the recovery, especially the fire service vehicles!
Cheers
Alan, ex Reading and Wokingham

Added by Alan Jones ex Berkshire on 31 July 2011.

Hi Alan
I am one and the same - one of the best contracts we had was RBFS - Always guarantee a cuppa at Brigade workshops -Sad day when that shut.
The Dodge lasted till 2001 - the chassis was scrapped but the recovery gear was re-bodied onto a 4X4 Leyland DAF and used in Bedfordshire mainly for off-road situations.
I did submit some pics of the Dodge working with us with its appliance cab but they weren't published. Also I have a photo of it from a Dodge sales brochure when its reg has been "modified" from "K" to "N" in line with the brochure date.
Still 3 lurkers from BCC days - Nick in the office still and Terry Willson and Roger Hamblin in the workshop.Theres a couple of photos from me on here somewhere - in my album I think ??
Cheers
Steve

Added by Steve Rush on 06 August 2011.

Some additional information - Whilst still in Brigade care it had lockers fitted on the front of the body by Smiths of Reading.On the n/s was the generator pack for the floodlight which in the picture is under the larger yellow cover.I think the o/s locker was just for storage.I have its accident book somewhere from its brigade days - it appears the new lockers caught people out as there are quite a few entries of it being driven off station with the locker doors open - sadly this made it wider than the exit doors with the inevitable conclusion and a trip to the bodyshop.It was a beast to drive - Perkins V8 510 with a 5 speed box (should have been 6 ) and a 2 speed rear axle.I once went from Reading to Frome to recover a Renault tractor unit - I still shudder today with the memory.
Thanks
Steve

Added by Steve Rush on 06 August 2011.

Is that FMO 635 behind the tower?

Added by Andy Middleton on 26 May 2012.

I wonder whether the Glamorgan registration number which this one always had, meant that it was originally planned to have been the basis for another Glamorgan HP ?

Added by Ian Moore on 26 May 2012.

Andy,
Yes it is, the heelboard on the Bailey escape was always painted white for"visual" purposes. That was a good "spot" by you!

Whilst we are on the question of FMO 635 do happen to know the present location and condition of her since her move to Scotland, last I heard it was being used in fashion shoots!?

Alan Jones
EX Berkshire

Added by Alan Jones on 26 May 2012.

Not sure Alan, sorry.

Added by Andy Middleton on 26 May 2012.

You could be right Ian as ATX400B Commer VAC/Evans/Simon SS65' from Pontypridd was written off on Nantgarw Hill 1972 and the reg would coincide with the event.


Added by Andy Middleton on 26 May 2012.

Alan, FMO 635 is still in Scotland and your reference to the 'fashion shoot' is a little correct in that it was used once as a project for a photography student. The vehicle is currently up in Inverary and continues to be 'worked on'

Added by Ricky Newton on 26 May 2012.

Thanks, Andy - I've got slides somewhere of the two Leyland recovery vehicles that righted ATX 400B

Added by Ian Moore on 27 May 2012.

Ricky,
Thanks for your info on FMO 635, could you keep us updated as things progress with her including any photos, or movements elsewhere!
thanks in anticipation as I manned, drove and rode in charge of the old girl at Stn 1 Caversham Rd.Reading. Cheers, Alan.

Ian/Andy,
Interesting comment re the Glamorgan reg number, the chassis always seemed too long taking into consideration its intended use. As Steve Rush
pointed out it was a pig to drive!
Alan

Added by Alan Jones on 27 May 2012.

Spent its last two years at Caversham Road Reading after the appliance and crews were moved around 1983.

Added by Trevor Warner on 04 May 2017.

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