1978 American LaFrance Century Series Engine

[Guest]

[quote name='MFD 61 KS' post='282533' date='Feb 16 2009, 20:34 ']Doesn't Marion have a 1971 Oshgosh Pierce 85ft Snorkel that was just refurbed to be the reserve truck company? Sound like a cool department. Also can you explain the gray paint, I love the two tone gray. You mentioned a gray ladder also. Why the differnt color scheme and why are they red again? Thanks for the help. I grew up with a 1983 ALF Century Pump and 1970 75ft open cab Oshgosh Pierce Snorkel Truck (no pump or tank) in Arlington, Texas at Fire House Seven, true classics.[/quote]



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