THE NEW ENGLAND STATES VETERAN FIREMAN’S LEAGUE MUSTER is coming to Newbury, Mass. on Saturday, July 28.  And the handtubs will be there for a pumping contest to be held at 1:00 pm.

Click thumbnail for full-size image
Handtub Junction, USA photos

Here’s the SCOOP.

FOLLOWING OUR STORY HERE on the 1908 Seagrave ladder truck returning to the Seguin, Texas Fire Department, Ron Maloney of the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise graciously sent us two photos of the truck being off-loaded and a try at cranking the engine.

Go to the original posting here to see the pix in full size.

photo credits: Melissa Johnson/Gazette-Enterprise

THE SEGUIN (TEXAS) FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS joined the growing number of communities that have recovered their early fire apparatus for historic displays.  They have brought home their first ladder truck….. a 1904 horse-drawn Seagrave ladder.  It was upgraded in 1912 with a Wichita tractor and they have that, too.

The Gazette-Enterprise has the full story here.
If Firegeezer can locate a photo of it, I’ll post it here.

update:  The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise has graciously sent us two photos showing the FF’s off-loading the old truck from the delivery trailer and giving the old engine a cranking.  Thanks to Ron Maloney.

photo credits: Melissa Johnson/Gazette-Enterprise
click on thumbnails to view full-size images

A 1940 AMERICAN-LaFRANCE LADDER TRUCK that was originally purchased by Enid, Oklahoma has been restored and is now back in the station.

The plans call for it to eventually be placed in the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum in Oklahoma City for permanent display.  A local truck mechanic spent 3,000 hours of volunteer labor restoring it after the State Firefighters Assoc. purchased it from an ALF dealer in Houston four years ago.

Don Froese
Enid News & Eagle photo

Don Froese, a retired Enid FD training officer, drove the truck when it was active in the fleet.  He is currently the director of the State museum and was instrumental in getting the truck back home.  It has an 85 ft. aerial and still has the full complement of wooden ground ladders.  The Norman Transcript has the full story here. 

A LOCAL MICRO-BREWER IN ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN has converted a 1975 Mercedes fire engine into a beer delivery and festival dispenser.  This is the kind of recycling that Firegeezer heartily endorses.

Some background on Greff’s brewery here. 

200,000 BIKERS ARE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS this weekend for the annual Republic of Texas Bikers Rally.  As one group was traveling on a highway leading to the rally grounds, one of the bikers approached a railroad crossing at a too-high rate of speed.  When he hit the crossing, he lost control and skidded into oncoming traffic which included a vintage fire engine traveling to a parade and muster.  The fire engine, which is privately owned, ran over the cyclist who perished in the crash.

KXAN-TV has the story and video here.

AN INCOMPLETE LISING OF upcoming fire musters that feature vintage apparatus.  Click on the links for more information.

June 3 - Chester County Firefighters Muster in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

June 10 - Catskill Fire-Cats show and muster in Circleville, New York.  They have a related video here.

June 16 - Appalachian Foothills Fire Muster in Barbour County, Kentucky.

June 23-24 - Elk Grove Muster in California.

THE TOWN OF ANTIOCH, ILLINOIS took advantage of an opportunity and decided to purchase a restored antique fire engine that began service as Antioch’s first motor apparatus.

The current owner, Bill Killen of Church Hill, Tennessee, bought it in 1988 and fully restored it.  While it’s worth far more than the $15,000 sale price, he wanted it to go back to its “home.”

THE FIRE MUSEUM OF MARYLAND will be hosting its 30th Annual Steam Day from 10 am to 3 pm.  See outside demonstrations of live steamers, fire horses and 40 pieces of antique apparatus.  Bucket brigade contest for the kids.

Click here for map and directions.

MANTECA, CALIFORNIA HAS AN ORDINANCE that prohibits parking of large trucks in residential areas.  Despite the fact that his neighbors supported him, San Jose firefighter Mark Hathaway has been ordered to remove his fully-restored vintage fire engine from his driveway.  Hathaway appeared before the City Council Monday night to appeal the order, but was refused.

AT OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA THE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOC. purchased one of their old engines - a 1952 Mack - and are restoring it for parade duty.  Be sure to read through the article for a good story on the old gal’s performance during a massive wildfire in 1970.