Keyser Fire Department

[Engine33Truck]

I got the history and I've read through it I just couldn't remember it mentioning when the B&O fire department left.  And that is one interesting piece of KFD history (both the Ford and the article about the TeleSqurt). I'm gonna file the Ford tractor in with the motorcycle as the "most unusual vehicles in KFD history".lol

[brucobuff]

I got the history and I've read through it I just couldn't remember it mentioning when the B&O fire department left.  And that is one interesting piece of KFD history (both the Ford and the article about the TeleSqurt). I'm gonna file the Ford tractor in with the motorcycle as the "most unusual vehicles in KFD history".lol

A historical end-date has not been determined for the B&O RR FD in Keyser, however the 1960's seems reasonable since several B&O history books in my collection refer to 1960 as the year that the RR started closing the shops in Keyser. "No employees= no fire brigade" Certainly by 1973, the buildings were mostly vacant.

[brucobuff]

Got a few more KFD to share
Factory fresh 1984 ALF Century poses for the late ALF photographer Jack Greible
Reg. 8109
1250/500 w/ massive monitor gun
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
WW Jenkins collection, I purchased this from the photographer about 15 years ago.

[Engine33Truck]

Oooh pretty, that's the best rig in the whole county lol.  I didn't know the stripe wasn't factory.  And I like the white light on the upper engineer's side light pod. 

[brucobuff]

Got a few more KFD to share
Factory fresh 1984 ALF Century poses for the late ALF photographer Jack Greible
Reg. 8109
1250/500 w/ massive monitor gun
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
WW Jenkins collection, I purchased this from the photographer about 15 years ago.

My photo from May,1997, note the Federal Q had not been added yet.

[brucobuff]

My favorite KFD rig is the 1960 ALF 900 series 750/500, this rig has seen changes, such as a hideous light bar, diesel engine, enlarged water tank (I think the original size was 300 gal.) and enclosure of the original all-open cab. This made all the area parades in my youth, usually accompanied by KFD's marching unit, which won a fair share of prizes, IIRC.
circa 1990 photo, V. McLaughlin, Jenkins collection
1997 photo by WW Jenkins

[Engine33Truck]

I love 11, she's our war wagon.  I agree, I dislike that lightbar.  Personally the whole roof is kind of a scowl.  Do you remember the way the old light dome worked?  It only rotated like 45 degrees.  I'd like to know if they still have it.  It's my dream to buy 11 and restore her to the way she originally was (minus the gas engine).  Have you ever been in 33 Station 1?  We're basically running out of room for trophies that the marching company and our 1914 has won. lol

[Engine33Truck]

Got a few more KFD to share
Factory fresh 1984 ALF Century poses for the late ALF photographer Jack Greible
Reg. 8109
1250/500 w/ massive monitor gun
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
WW Jenkins collection, I purchased this from the photographer about 15 years ago.

My photo from May,1997, note the Federal Q had not been added yet.

If I remember right, when I joined one of the engineers was telling me about 15 (after I saw the picture of some guys in the company next to it when KFD took delivery), and he told me that the stripe and Q were added in the vicinity of the time we ordered 13, so that'd be 1998 or early 1999 (my guess, maybe earlier).  Though it sounds like a Q2A or an original model Q, rather than a Q2B like is on 13.

[Engine33Truck]

33, I also kept scrapbooks when I was a kid; thought you might like this clip from early 1973, KFD had a "busy" year, lol. Did ya know  KFD once ran a gut-bucket? IIRC, 1973 was the year the B&O RR Shops burned; wonder if any KFD oldtimers remember that one?

I don't know why I didn't remember it, but I think we stopped running the ole meat wagon when Bob Dorsey wrecked it.  He either wrecked the ambo or the station wagon we had. 

[Engine33Truck]

Engine 39-11, Fountain;

I've been studying and restudying this photo and the Mineral County thread.  This rig beats the heck outta me, it's not Fountain, as they didn't have a white and blue canopy cab Pierce.  No one else did either.  The angle of the photo and blurriness makes it impossible to tell exactly what model it is, but it's either a Pierce Arrow, Javelin or Dash.  I don't see why it'd be from out of county, so it almost has to be a rig of Fountain's or another company who either way didn't have it very long.  Any ideas anyone?

[GA_Dave]

The following is a quote from Fountain's website:

A new pumper was discussed and finally ordered.  Again the building had to be expanded to allow room for the fourth truck.  September 1980 unit 39-11 arrived.

The only Pierce custom it could have been was an Arrow, none of the other Pierce chassis existed then.  I don't think it's a Pierce at all.  Perhaps an ALF Pioneer???

[Engine33Truck]

Yeah, you're right.  By 1993 the Dash was no longer a canopy cab design, and the Javelin had been discontinued. At first the thought of maybe a ALF Pioneer came to mind but I dismissed it because I thought it was merely the camera making the windshield appear to have a forward slant.  I just now noticed a thin white line on the windshield which would indicate a Pioneer.  So maybe.  Which opens the mystery up even more.   

[Engine33Truck]

Here is a 1984 photo of Keyser's old TeleSqurt in Charles Town, WV for the 100th anniversary parade for Charles Town's two VFCs: Independent Fire Company and Citizens Fire Company.

C. Beauchesne photo, J. H. Bennett collection

[Engine33Truck]

Engine 39-11, Fountain;

I blew the image up, I'm almost 100% positive that the rig I've been trying to ID is a ALF Pioneer Series, I think a Pioneer I.  Yet it beats the heck out of me as to who might've owned it.  AFAIK, the only Pioneer was Keyser's 1975 Pioneer II TeleSqurt.  So who could've owned this?  I know that Keyser purchased a 900 Series in the 1990s to use as parts for 33-11, but did they buy a Pioneer also, and put it in service for a bit?  Or did Elk District once run this?  The paint scheme would suggest Fountain, but I've never found anything to suggest that Fountain ever had a Pioneer, even for a little while...