Virginia apparatus - miscellaneous

[EngineForLife]

Okay, to answer the question of E463 the Pierce Velocity..... not happy about this but here we go. E463 will get their new rig obviously, then the Velocity will come here to FS 64 as E464. The 2010 Contender that is E464 now will go into reserve. The other work group here is mounting the tools and equipment on the new E463, we are also switching out the equipment to the Velocity from E464 and placing the Contender into reserve status with all the reserve labeled equipment. So, basically we are doing all the work to lose our front line rig. The complaint on the Contender is that it can only ride 4 with no extra seating for additional personnel when we are heavy on staffing. Also, the rear seats face backwards and some of our newer people complain they get car sick when riding in those seats..... whatever. There are no forward facing flip down seats, those two spots have small compartments there. The underlying reason I believe and this is just me, The Velocity has a big ol Detroit Diesel Engine in it that scoots it down the road, The Contender has a smaller cummins in it. I think some here what that get up and go so when the westnet is finished here and we go fully inservice for automatic assistance to Fairfax County we will have a rig that at least keeps up with traffic on I-95.... Which sits right out our front door. To me, It doesn't matter as long as we get there. I have gotten used to working with the units here and the Contender has been here since we opened the station. It's kinda sentimental now. you know. Okay.... off my soap box.