1965 FWD Tractioneer Pumper

[Rheems1]

Well, I finally started my foray into the antique fire truck ownership game after a number of years of hoping, wishing and dreaming. My dad died a year ago and I decided to use some of the money he left me to buy a fire truck, the truck I bought was one that I have had a love affair with for many, many years. This engine was bought new by the Honey Pot Fire Department (of Nanticoke, Pa) in 1965, it was refurbished in the mid-1980's by someone (I think KME), it was refurbished again in 1992 by KME which included adding power steering, putting in an International DT466 motor and replacing the transmission and than it was refurbished again in 2005 by Har-Rob out of New York which included adding new highside compartments, a complete repaint and an update to the warning lights. This piece has been out of service and for sale since the end of 2009 when it was replaced by a Ford Attack piece that saw service in Littlestown, Pa. I have had my eye on it since it went up for sale but the asking price at that time ($30,000) was way out of my league, it has come down a couple of times since it was first put up for sale so I decided to make them an offer. Much to my surprise the offer was accepted and I became the owner of this fine piece of apparatus. I already knew that it was a unique little piece and after seeing it and looking it over I can say without a shadow of a doubt it is unique. The cab has a bench seat up front (I didn't think to take pictures of the inside of the cab) that will hold 4 people BUT behind the driver's seat and the officer's seat there is another seat so the cab will hold 6 people total (though maybe not comfortably). When I went up yesterday I almost didn't buy this piece because I thought something was wrong with it, when I tried to pull it out of the place it was stored it wouldn't move, the engine would stall and carry on.. I managed to get it out but could't get it to move. I thought the brakes were locked up on it so my heart sank to my stomach. So we called someone who was familar with the truck and he suggested putting it in reverse and letting it roll backwards to try to unlock the brakes.... when I let off the brakes it rolled backwards just fine. After doing some more investigation and playing I figured out what was wrong with it.. it was the dummy behind the wheel. When I thought I had it in first gear (which is all the way towards the driver and back) it was actually in 3rd gear which is why it could just barely make it out of the building (yet somehow I got it out that way!!), after I got that figured out (and than further realized you don't need to use first gear) it was pretty smooth after that. It is a great little piece and I am so proud to call it mine, now to get used to the very heavy clutch it has!! Without further ado, here are the pictures I took... I still have to clean it up and get it show worthy and of course get equipment for it. I hope you enjoy!!!































Here is me talking with the representative from the fire department (with a stupid look on my face)







This is the engine's former home where it lived from 1965 until 2009... the streets are very tight and small as is the firehouse!!









I will post more pictures once I get it cleaned up inside and out as well as when I get some equipment, since it was refurbed in 2005 the body and cab are in great shape so it won't need any body or paint work... thinking about taking the Honey Pot logo off of the doors though (the missus hates them LOL) and maybe the United We Stand sticker which I am not a big fan of. Only time will tell!!!