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Its not an ex. Durham County Motor. its reg is OSL372Y
Added by Davey G on 26 September 2011.
Added by Davey G on 26 September 2011.
It is indeed a Mountain Range bodied Bedford, but it certainly isn't ex-Durham, but was new to Glaxo.
Added by Ian Moore on 26 September 2011.
Added by Ian Moore on 26 September 2011.
could it be a cancelled export order to New Zealand or inspired by an NZ type appliance. They had the characteristic white roof long before they were common in the UK.
Added by Petros on 29 September 2011.
Added by Petros on 29 September 2011.
This vehicle is unique being the first full-sized appliance built by Mountain Range Ltd for the UK home market and was most certainly never a ‘cancelled export order’ or an ‘ex-local authority’ vehicle. As Ian rightly commented previously, this appliance was new to the UK pharmaceutical company Glaxo and remained in their ownership until it was disposed of for preservation. With the present owner’s permission the following additional definitive information is supplied.
OSL372Y was purchased new in 1983 by Glaxochem Ltd, the then manufacturing division of the Glaxo Group (now GlaxoSmithKline) as one of two appliances providing cover on one of the Company’s strategic UK manufacturing plants. She was built as a one-off industrial Water Foam Tender and before delivery to Glaxochem, was exhibited on the Mountain Range Ltd stand at the 1983 UK International Fire Exhibition at Harrogate.
The specification required simplicity, reliability, and flexibility whilst taking maximum advantage of weight carrying and equipment storage space. There was a requirement to carry the maximum quantity of AFFF foam concentrate and water as the chassis would allow. At that time the Bedford TK chassis had a competitive load carrying capability and came with a realistic price tag, and was therefore chosen as the basis for the build. The need to maximise locker space resulted in the appliance having hi-line bodywork and its box-like appearance. Also included in the specification was the capability to deliver water and foam simultaneously from separate deliveries via a 750 gallons (3000 litres) per minute multi-stage Godiva pump. The original spec called for a 1000 gpm (45000 litres) capacity pump however the Bedford engine would have been left with little power redundancy and it was decided to reconfigure the spec around the 750 gpm pump. The hose reels were to be low pressure / high-pressure and capable of delivering un-aspirated AFFF foam for use on small flammable liquid fires; a relatively new technique in those days derived by the oil/gas/chemical industries. The reels were of extended length to enable high-risk areas to be reached from recognised site roadways.
The white cab roof was deliberate .. sorry Petros, no NZ inspired decision involved ! Firstly to clearly identify her, particularly during silent hours, from the local authority appliances who would also respond to any incident on site. Secondly, as a marker to indicate she was the Command and Control vehicle pending the need for and arrival of any oncoming Control Unit from the local authority brigade. When new, she also had white painted wheels and a red / white chevron-ed front bumper.
On being replaced with a new Scania chassis-ed Multi Media Tender in 1999, OSL372Y was donated to the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum at Lathalmond in Fife for use as an exhibit. Disappointingly her once excellent condition was allowed to deteriorate at Lathalmond, as was the spirit in which she had been donated, much to the annoyance of the donor.
The appliance has since passed (thankfully) into private ownership and is once again being given care and attention, and when time allows, effort to restore her to the condition she was in during her operational life with Glaxo.
Added by Keith Richardson on 30 September 2011.
OSL372Y was purchased new in 1983 by Glaxochem Ltd, the then manufacturing division of the Glaxo Group (now GlaxoSmithKline) as one of two appliances providing cover on one of the Company’s strategic UK manufacturing plants. She was built as a one-off industrial Water Foam Tender and before delivery to Glaxochem, was exhibited on the Mountain Range Ltd stand at the 1983 UK International Fire Exhibition at Harrogate.
The specification required simplicity, reliability, and flexibility whilst taking maximum advantage of weight carrying and equipment storage space. There was a requirement to carry the maximum quantity of AFFF foam concentrate and water as the chassis would allow. At that time the Bedford TK chassis had a competitive load carrying capability and came with a realistic price tag, and was therefore chosen as the basis for the build. The need to maximise locker space resulted in the appliance having hi-line bodywork and its box-like appearance. Also included in the specification was the capability to deliver water and foam simultaneously from separate deliveries via a 750 gallons (3000 litres) per minute multi-stage Godiva pump. The original spec called for a 1000 gpm (45000 litres) capacity pump however the Bedford engine would have been left with little power redundancy and it was decided to reconfigure the spec around the 750 gpm pump. The hose reels were to be low pressure / high-pressure and capable of delivering un-aspirated AFFF foam for use on small flammable liquid fires; a relatively new technique in those days derived by the oil/gas/chemical industries. The reels were of extended length to enable high-risk areas to be reached from recognised site roadways.
The white cab roof was deliberate .. sorry Petros, no NZ inspired decision involved ! Firstly to clearly identify her, particularly during silent hours, from the local authority appliances who would also respond to any incident on site. Secondly, as a marker to indicate she was the Command and Control vehicle pending the need for and arrival of any oncoming Control Unit from the local authority brigade. When new, she also had white painted wheels and a red / white chevron-ed front bumper.
On being replaced with a new Scania chassis-ed Multi Media Tender in 1999, OSL372Y was donated to the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum at Lathalmond in Fife for use as an exhibit. Disappointingly her once excellent condition was allowed to deteriorate at Lathalmond, as was the spirit in which she had been donated, much to the annoyance of the donor.
The appliance has since passed (thankfully) into private ownership and is once again being given care and attention, and when time allows, effort to restore her to the condition she was in during her operational life with Glaxo.
Added by Keith Richardson on 30 September 2011.
Keith - very comprehensive! I for one wish we knew as much history about many more of the appliances on this site.
You mention that one of the design goals was to maximize the water and foam tank capacities on this unit, but I should be interested to know what they ended up installing.
Generally, my impression is that this chassis could probably accommodate a total of around 650 gallons, depending on the weight of the bodywork and other equipment carried on board. Is this close?
I also noticed the crew cab is a bit longer than was perhaps usual on municipal pumpers; was this built with extra seating?
Added by Rob Johnson on 14 January 2018.
You mention that one of the design goals was to maximize the water and foam tank capacities on this unit, but I should be interested to know what they ended up installing.
Generally, my impression is that this chassis could probably accommodate a total of around 650 gallons, depending on the weight of the bodywork and other equipment carried on board. Is this close?
I also noticed the crew cab is a bit longer than was perhaps usual on municipal pumpers; was this built with extra seating?
Added by Rob Johnson on 14 January 2018.
Bedford
Added by Rob on 25 September 2011.