Fire Engine Archive
Big 6 (with Ted Pike)
Manufactured in October 1939 by Dennis Brothers England at a cost of 3,184 pounds 5 shillings and 5 pence. Commissioned by the NSWFB in May 1940 as 132 Motor Fire Engine (132ME).
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Big 6 Before |
Big 6 after |
Big 6 at the museam |
Big 6 with Ted Pike |
Allocation:
- June 1940 to August 1953: #1 Station Headquarters Runner
- August 1953 to April 1954: #3 Station The Rocks
- April 1954 to April 1964: #38 Station Pyrmont
- April 1964 to 1967:Sydney Fire District spare
- 1968 to November 1969: Paddington Training College
- November 1969: #7 Station Stanmore spare
- August 1973: Withdrawn from Service
132ME was also used as a funeral motor during service.
The engine head was condemned due to erosion of the exhaust ports in the water jacket. Attempts were made in 1974 to have it repaired but it was considered to be too far gone. The valve gear, rocker cover and all overhead components were thrown away by staff at Five Dock workshop store around the same time.
From then on it was all down hill for the BIG 6, suggestions were made from time to time to restore it, but to no avail. Anything that could be removed was, and rust commenced taking over at a very fast rate.
Of all the NSWFB's appliances, 132ME had to be the hardest working and most reliable engine it had ever owned. (A check of wear on the clutch and brake pedals will confirm this.)
After discussions with enthusiastic Fire Brigade members including, the Commissioner (I D G Mac Dougall AO AFSM), it was decided to restore the BIG 6 to its original condition.
The old engine 132, or what was left of it, was delivered to our place on the 23rd of July 2002. We had been sourcing spare parts for two years previous with the intention of supporting its restoration if and when it became possible.
It was not our intention to undertake the restoration ourselves but due to knowledge and experience, networking, availablility of parts and the mounting costs - it fell back on us and the Museum of Fire.
There are many members within the NSWFB and some very supportive helpers outside who have made the restoration possible. They were recognised for their efforts by the Museum of Fire by way of a framed photograph of the Big 6 in all its restored glory.
132ME went home on the 16th of March 2004 to once again resume its rightful place as part of the NSWFB's heritage.
In November 2004 the Big 6, along with the NSWFB's Shand Mason Steamer and Ahrens Fox Pumper, was added to NSW Heritage List at a short ceremony at the Museum of Fire.
SPRINGWOODS FIRST FIRE ENGINE
A 1934 Dennis 250/400 Fire Engine built by Dennis Bros. in England in 1934. It is one of 70 originally imported by the NSW Board of Fire Commissioners between 1927 and 1934 as a chassis and motor with the bodywork being built by New South Wales Fire Brigades craftsmen. The fire engine was commissioned in July 1934 as #227 Motor Fire Engine and attached to Bankstown Fire Station
The fire engine was then sent to Springwood in 1937 and arrived on 29th October 1937 ready for the opening of the Springwood Volunteer Fire Brigade on 1st November, 1937 in a shed in Jerseywold Avenue.
The fire engine was built at a cost of $1416.70. Equivalent vehicles today cost in excess of $250,000.
The first major fire attended by the new Springwood Fire Brigade was on 1st December, 1937 in Hazlebrook where six homes where threatened by a large bush fire fanned by a strong north-easterly wind, but due to the efforts of the new brigade there was no property loss.
The vehicle remained in service at Springwood until 1959 when it was transferred to Wallerawang in December, 1959, again as the first fire engine to be installed at a newly opened fire station.
The vehicle is currently owned by Supt. Ray Kelly of the New South Wales Fire Brigades who is restoring it to its original glory.
1959 BEDFORD J1/ME309
This Bedford is one of 63 Bedford Fire Engines made by the New South Wales Fire Brigades workshops between 1959 and 1966. These appliances were introduced to replace the Garfords and Dennis 250s which were withdrawn from service for disposal.
The Bedford chassis was chosen for use in small country towns. To save money they were constructed (at a total cost of $7000) in the obsolete Braidwood body style and fitted with Dennis pumps of 350 or 450 gpm capacity. In many cases these pumps were reclaimed from the old Dennis 250s they were replacing.
This particular Bedford was built in 1959 with a Coventry Climax pump and went into service at Narromine from 1959 to 1977. In 1966 it was rebuilt with a Dennis pump which was reclaimed from a Dennis 250.
In 1978 it was sold to the Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga for use as fire protection, but ended being used to water trees! By 1990 the Turvey Park Fire Brigade Demonstration team acquired the Bedford and began the task of restoring it to its former glory. During this time it was also used for training purposes.
In 2003 with only 6,000 miles on the clock it was purchased by Guy Ellis to add to his collection of old Fire Engines. After purchasing the Bedford, Guy drove it from Wagga Wagga to Gosford, a distance of 530 klms, taking 2 days to do.
1967 FORD D400/ME339
In 1967 the New South Wales Fire Brigades adopted the Ford “D” series chassis to replace the Thames chassis as the standard for their Fire Engines. A total of 57 went into service between 1967 and 1969.
Service History
NSWFB
1967/11 15 Station Burwood
1969/11 255 Station Charlestown
1974/10 342 Station Kandos
1983/10 465 Station Trangie
NSWRFS
1985 Tingha Bush Fire Brigade
2003 Purchased by Guy Elllis who commenced restoration.
2004 Sold to another fire engine collector who is continuing the restoration.
