Fire Engines Photos

That was when EUP 475, the Leyland Pump (EPT 547), and the Dennis New World (visible on the left - registered EUP 313 and named "The Aclet"), were all at the Training School, the appliance room of which is the building to the left of the Commer that's visible on the extreme right.

Added by Ian Moore on 07 January 2009.

Bob, some early Leylands suffered blistered paint due to the heat when being run for long periods, a special GERMAN BLUE STEEL was used, it was unpainted so did not blister.

Added by Bob on 07 January 2009.

Many thanks Bob for posting your picture of the Leyland pump escape as promised.

Added by Mick Valentine on 07 January 2009.

The Dennis Light Four which was called the Aclet (shown to the left of the Leyland) went to the Beamish museum after it left the Durham FB training school. The museum which at one time was called the 'Beamish Open Air Museum' lived up to its name as the Aclet was left outside for some of its duration there! It is now safe and awaiting restoration.

The blue bonnets on early appliances have been discussed elsewhere on this site, but to re-cap the blue/black finish is a chemical surface treatment to ordinary steel sheet very much like the 'blueing' found on shotguns. Dennis always used this type of finish for their bonnets right up to the 1930's for two reasons. The primary reason was to promote better heat transfer away from the engine (with paint acting as heat barrier) and the second was that early paints with a high oil content were not colour stable with the application of heat.

Apart from a handful of exceptions (Like Jezebel the LFB 'N' Type) most preserved appliances which had 'blued' bonnets, have now been painted either red, or with a metallic blue paint to resemble the original finish. The orignal technique of bluing with large vats of a boiling caustic cyanide solution is no longer available. The present day cold chemical 'bluing' does not provide a robust enough corrosion preventing finish.

Barry.

Added by Dr. B.A. Hutchinson on 13 March 2009.

On the topic of finishing, does it not appear unusual that the escape on the Leyland above is not in the usual red, which seems common place for those made of metal? and now looking closer that the sectioning of the ladder is such that it must extend from beneath?

Added by John Draysey on 13 March 2009.

EUP 475 ex Stockton-on-Tees UDCFB, EUP 313 ex Bishop Auckland UDCFB. Where did EPT 547 originate chaps?

Added by Andrew Middleton on 05 May 2010.

EPT 547 was new to Durham City Fire Brigade in 1938 and again safe awaiting restoration after been used in the early days of Beamish to promote the museum by the Friends at local shows

Added by Brett Clayton on 10 May 2010.

Pleased to hear that Brett.....nice to see the old training school....did my 12 weeks there so many years ago

Added by Barrie Green on 10 May 2010.

Many thanks Brett. Good to hear from you again.

Added by Andy Middleton on 10 May 2010.

I did my basic training there and used these vehicles, Ernie Wade was one one instructors and Alfie Reynolds was the Commandant. Unfortunately l was unable to carry out my pass out drill on the hook ladders, because my father had passed away. So, l, was rushed home by a police car the day before. Ex fireman Middlesbrough



Added by James David Newcombe on 21 March 2017.

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