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Fire Engines Photos

 
Somerset Bedford J/HCB Wrt 776 RYD
Fire Engine Photos
No: 44076   Contributor: Bristol Bob   Year: 1975   Manufacturers: Bedford, HCB Angus   Country: United Kingdom
Somerset Bedford J/HCB Wrt 776 RYD

formerly of Pill, in preservation many years ago. This appliance was a special order and built so it would fit into the old Pill Fire Station next to the old brewery. The old station was very small hence why the bell is mounted on the front and the blue light is a later addition when the machine moved to the new station. The appliance also served at Burnham as the Water Tender and with the works Fire Brigade at Pains Wessex in Wiltshire. The appliance still exists and is kept in Somerset.

Picture added on 27 March 2023 at 20:16
add commentComments:
Great explanation! It also makes it clear why this odd little fellow had no hinged doors, but it does not explain why it was decided to have a sling door on one side and a jacknife on the other? Based on its small dimensions, am I right in thinking this could not carry a full size 400 gallon water tank?

Added by Rob Johnson on 29 March 2023.
This door configuration was used on the many smaller J2 type Bedfords built by HCB Angus, not just this particular one, so its not that unusual.

Added by on 06 April 2023.
Thanks, I was not aware that this idea was all that popular. It still seems rather odd!

Added by Rob Johnson on 06 April 2023.
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