1978 American LaFrance Century Series Engine

[MFD76]

[quote name='1947ALF' post='282756' date='Feb 17 2009, 20:07 ']Hey Rick,



One of the times I was over at Marion the then chief took me to the station where the 71' snorkel was housed. The staton was empty other than the snorkel, no manpower no nothing only a picture on the wall of my rig when it was delivered that I couldn't talk the chief out of. He gave me several items that had been taken off my rig before it was sold so it wasn't a trip for nothing. I did get photos of all of their inservice rigs that day including the 78' ALF you see in the photos. Glad to hear they rehabbed the snorkel it was all but perfect that day I was over there. Snorkels are getting few and far between in Indiana anyway.



The gray paint, when I bought the 47' I was told the chief when it was purchased had been a boatswain's mate in the Navy. He also purchased a 48' ALF aerial, a 55' Seagrave engine and maybe a Seagrave Quad during his tenure. Turns out gray was the color ALL the Marion F. D. rigs had been painted over the years. Not positive but my ole gray ALF may have replaced a 1912 Robinson unit. Marion F.D. had some other unique rigs including a pair of Hanleys. Hey if they got the job done, big deal.



When you were in Arlington did you ever see this unit????







Thanks for listening.............Bruce[/quote]



Bruce,



Thanks for the info that is great, cool story with the grey. The rehabed Snorkel was in the last FAJ in the rehabs section. Did Marion suffer cut backs and fire house closings?



What a fantastic photo. They did have this engine in reserve as Engine 21 when I was a kid it was stored in the back of 7's behind Tanker 7 and later when Snorkel 7 went in service it was shipped out on HWY 303 at the old fire/police training center now just police training. It really made the rounds from Engine 1,6,7 and may be a few more places. I did not know they had kept it and fell over when I saw it refurbed at 13's. They said General Motors Arilngton Plant did the refurb in the 90's. The front door gold leaf scramble and jump seat letters matches the orginal design that was started with this 700. All or most AFD rigs followed prior to the 1970's with the same door scramble and letters. 700's are real true classic and I have a soft spot for them. Kansas City, MO KCFD had the second or third largest fleet of 700's seires really cool rigs pumps, tillers, and one four wheel straight 100ft stick. I remember 7's making runs as a kid in the 1970 open cab ALF 900 with the 1972 GMC Tanker and then later in the 83 Century with the 1970 open cab Snorkel in tow, really loud Q sirens.



Stay Safe, Rick