Fire Engines Photos

I remember this truck at station 18, 412 north thompson st in richmond's west end. I remember the old mack tractor and was a teen when they got the oren tractor. We thought at the time that it was so space aged! after the oren, the guys no longer rode on the side running board of the trailer, but in the jump seats. Great to see that someone in the uk has good taste. By the way, the company no longer exists; it is now a quint company.

Added by Buck Nelson on 21 November 2008.

I rode it when the Mack was pulling her as well as the Oren tractor.

1969 Oren Tractor and 1946 Peter Pirsch 100ft Alum Aerial


The Mack tractor was a 1952 L series!

Added by John Hinant on 24 November 2008.

Hello Buck, Hi John, does this mean we'll be seeing a picture of her in her glory years?.Someone must have some pictures collecting dust somewhere for us to see.
Also much interest was shown in that tillerman seat on top of ladder having to
be lifted up and away before the ladder could be raised, any info please.Pete.

Added by Pete Matten on 27 November 2008.

Buck:


Repeating Pete M.'s RFP ("Request For Photos" !! ) of a Rear Tillered Tractor Drawn Aerial with the Tillerman's Position swung away - that would be the older open-position trucks.

Always wondered how the Tillerman's Steering Wheel was geared up, to those rear wheels underneath the stowed Aerial Ladder.....

The modern TD Aerials, with the Tillerman's enclosed "Dog-house" - it all stays put.

I take it from above, that the Ladder or Truck (TTL) Company of this rig, now exists as a Quint (ARP/CARP) Company in the Fire Station.

And, not the Manufacturing Company.

Great rig.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B


Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 28 November 2008.

Yes, Station 18 is now Quint 18 with a Pierce quint and a "First Responder" 'middi-pumper' of 500 GPM. All Richmond stations are now so equipped. #5 has a new 'Aerial-Tower' quint (mid-mount 'ladder-tower'). Their rear mount ladder tower went to Quint 13. The quint companies are now paired up with 3 Rescue companies, full blown heavy rescues with dedicated crews. Rescue One (Station One) also handles River Rescue. Rescue Two (Station 10), high angle rescue. Rescue 3 (Station 13) is Hazmat.
As for the break away tillers, it was common practice in Richmond until the dedicated tiller seats. I believe the first 'dedicated' tiller seat was on Truck 5, a 1969 Oren (tractor)/Grove (trailer) 100' steel aerial. The 'breakaway' tiller seats swung to the side, the steering wheel was pulled out of a "Preconnect-?" device, which was connected to the rear wheels. I used to watch them pull them out before the aerial was raised. John, can you explain any further? Thanks, Buck.

Added by Buck Nelson on 28 November 2008.

Richmond used aerial ladders that had the tiller seat in the ladder. The seat could be removed and swung away as with the windshield. The steering wheel was on a quick disconnect device and was also removed and placed in a holder to the side. Once this was done the aerial could be raised from the bed. A ladder pipe was usually kept near the tiller position and this member was the one who placed it on the top fly section and connected the supply hose, 3 inch.

I have several photos of this Truck, which when I can figured out how to post I will do so. I did find a old photo of Truck 7 with a Mack Tractor but it was connected to a Seagrave wooden aerial.

Added by John Hinant on 17 December 2008.

I for one John look forward to seeing what you've found on this brilliant
typical American classic tillered trailor aerial ladder from Richmond, its
home town.Just type in E.Mail address, add pictures, press send...No problem.

Added by Pete Matten on 17 December 2008.

Fantastic photo. I'd like to see more photos of the old Mack cab, with the Seagrave or the Pirsch. Please send more photos of any TDA's.

Added by Shawn on 01 August 2009.

I found a couple of old photos of the Old Truck 7 sitting along side the fire house and one of a very similar ladder truck with a Pirsch trailer showing how the tillerman position is broken down.

See where the steering wheel went and the swing-a-way windshield and seat.

I hope this will explain how this worked.




Added by John Hinant on 03 August 2009.

John,just seen the pics,brilliant and thanks again for sending in the photo's.Pete.

Added by Pete Matten on 03 August 2009.

Can someone who can get to this truck, get the City shop number, Oren Serial number - inside the cab- and the Pirsch Hoist number- on the left side of the aerial - for me??? Please!

Thanks.

Added by John Hinant on 08 February 2010.

just to let you know its happily liveing in sussex

Added by Iain on 27 May 2010.

Had licence plate BGC 383G for a while when noted in London at the RAF Museum in Hendon, the owner was offering it for sale at £8,500

Added by Rob Morel on 01 June 2010.

Rob Morel -- This is great info. By chance can you visit this truck? If so, I need the following info off of her. The Oren Plate which is located on the left side of the tractor and the Pirsch Plate located on the left side of the aerial at the base of the main section.

I need the serial numbers and whatever other numbers off of each plate. Inside the cab along the drivers door should be another plate with data on it, I would like that as well.

Thanks,

John

Added by John Hinant on 02 June 2010.

if you send me your email address i can forward on pics to you with all the details you want. pics where only taken today hope this help


EDITOR: guys, when a name of a contributor appears blue (like John's one post up) all you have to do is click it and there is the contributors email address.....

Added by Iain Balcombe on 02 June 2010.

Hi Iain where abouts in sussex is it, can it be viewed? im just in etchingham myself and would love to take my old man to see it, hes man on fire engines.
thanks
laura

Added by Laura Love on 25 June 2010.

Hi Laura,
Please note as a policy we do not allow specific addresses to be published on the site (for many reasons).
You did not leave your email address either so Iain can't email you directly now.
However, you can email him... as said in his last comment by the Editor.

Added by Marcel Gommers on 25 June 2010.

Boy do I remember this truck also. John Hinant and Buck Nelson I remember when my father took me to the city shop down on Boulevard Avenue to practice drive the Oran tractor. I also remember the rides I used to get on that old trailor with the Mack and then the Oran. Don't know if you remember me or not (Richard Dickie Crowder Jr.) Now a retired firefighter down here in Ga. If anyone finds any other old pictures of 7 truck or 3 truck please let me know. You can email me by clicking on my name (in blue)

Added by Richard Crowder on 08 July 2010.

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