From Hot Springs I made my way back to Northern Virginia and home. I used the GPS to take me back another way which I have never been. I love this since you never know what you will find.
After coming down a mountain I entered the small town of Goshen, Virginia located in Rockbridge County. The fire station was closed up tight but a Jeep pulled up which happened to have two firefighters who volunteer at Lexington. They noticed me putting nose prints on the front bay windows and offered to help. After a quick phone call, they found a member of the FD who came down to the station to pull out equipment. Timing was good because the storm clouds were beginning to move in. It was not to long after I left Goshen that some severe storms moved into the area.
A handful of apparatus run from Goshen.
First up is Engine 31, a 1995 Freightliner 80/3D Metals 1500/1200 with serial number 2658. This was an ex- demonstrator model.
Also at Goshen is this unusual 1988 PemFab Imperial that was built by American LaFrance. It is a 1000/1000 and I was unable to find a serial number. It once ran at Lexington, Virginia.
It is Goshen Engine 30 and I was told this engine will be sold.
The Goshen volunteers really need a new station. I was told that a new station is in the works. Apparatus is kept in two different areas. The "in service" apparatus (Engine 31, Tanker 33, Attack 34, and a donated Chevy Suburban marked as Kerrs Creek, VA) are kept within the station.
The "out of service" apparatus are kept outdoors. These include Engine 30, an older 1972 Ford C/J. Bean (the FD's first pumper. It would not start and will be sold), and a blue utility van. It was "fun" getting Engine 30 started and moved around the garage posts. I was fortunate it started since I was told it had been weeks since it was run. It is scheduled to be sold.
The trip back from Goshen to Northern Virginia was a challenge. Severe storms hit the Northern Virginia area. When I came back by Route 7 outside of Winchester, Virginia, Route 7 was closed in both directions at the Clarke County and Loudoun County lines because the number of fallen trees and downed power lines. I had to travel to West Virginia and find another way home. It was brought to my attention that maybe I could have avoided that entire mess by coming straight home instead of making those "unscheduled stops". No way.
Much nicer weather was in store when I made a trip on I95 south of Richmond near the Virginia/North Carolina border.
I had made arrangements with the Chief at Jarrett, Virginia (Sussex and Greenland County) to stop by the FD and photograph the apparatus. Jarrett has some nice apparatus.
Engine 81 is a 1999 Pierce Saber 1250/750 with job number ED215.
I really like Jarretts Engine 83 with their unusual four door cab - a 1989 Ford F800/Pierce 1000/500 with job number E5499. It originally ran at Emporia, Virginia.
Rescue 81 at Jarrett is an old ambulance purchased from a department in upper New York (unknown where it came from). Rescue 81 is a 1997 Ford F350/McCoy Miller.
From Jarrett it was onto Emporia, Virginia (Greensville County). Emporia has a big house with a variety of apparatus. I knew it was going to be a challenge with one paid firefighter on duty and the weather being very hot. As it turns out, a brush fire was dispatched after we had just placed our second truck for photographs. I was amazed how many volunteers showed up at the station for the call. The brush truck got out with 4, followed by an engine with four, and a utility truck with another 4 or 5. In addition, there must have been an additional 7-8 people who responded to the station. What was once a problem with only having one driver.....I now had numerous options and some very nice folks who were willing to move equipment around for photos.
First up at Emporia is Engine 31, a 2005 Pierce Contender 1500/1000/10 with job number 16415.
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