Your FAVORITE classic NYC firehouse?

guitarman314 · Apr 25, 2011

I have a listing of apparatus with ladder companies that had 1938 FWD 85 ft. TDA's in 1946. There were 14 of them: 1, 16, 18, 23, 30, 35, 36, 48, 105, 106, 111, 149, 151 & 157.

memory master · Apr 25, 2011

G-man, is that listing of apparatus that you mentioned available anywhere on the net?

FDNY150 · Apr 25, 2011

Since I'm still in my 30's, I have zero recollection of the older Macks/WLF/ALF/Seagraves prior to say 1969. Anything prior to that probably wasn't in service in my early childhood.
Personal favorites,
1979 Mack CF Engine
Any Mack CF Engine from 1970 on, except for the 78's. Wasn't too fond of them.
Any Mack CF TL from 1970-1979
ALF 900 Tillers
1969 Mack R Model Engine
1971?? Mack R Rescue 4.

guitarman314 · Apr 25, 2011

memory master said:
G-man, is that listing of apparatus that you mentioned available anywhere on the net?

No, it is one I've been personally keeping up for many years with information I've geaned from various sources (books, company logs, company/unit webpages, photos, etc.). The pages are large and it is handwritten so photocopying it would be a task.

L 147 · Apr 25, 2011

G man
do you have a list of the 1974 TDA original assignment.I am missing 7404,7408,7409,7411 and the 1978,1979,1980.

guitarman314 · Apr 25, 2011

H & L 147 said:
G man
do you have a list of the 1974 TDA original assignment.I am missing 7404,7408,7409,7411 and the 1978,1979,1980.

I don't have them listed by Reg. numbers, but the 12 went to Ladder 6, 26, 28, 40, 104, 106, 110, 118, 143, 147, 166, & 175. All I know is that L26 & 106 were the last two assigned from that order.

L 147 · Apr 25, 2011

7401 147
7402 104
7403 175
7404 ?
7405 166 later reassigned I think 108
7406 118
7407 110
7408 ?
7409 ?
7410 28
7411 26
7412 108/106

Companies that had 1974 Seagrave TDA but I don't know the assignment order. 6,40,143

svd385 · Apr 25, 2011

I find it hard to decide of which classic Fire House(s) that I like best. Each of the ones that are let have their own unique architectural features. I just wish that instead for building new buildings they could have invested those monies in refurbishing the buildings that they have replaced. Now all of that original architecture of those buildings are now lost. I feel that if refurbishment wasn't an option they could have used some of the original pieces in the new building so that it may be displayed with honor and respect that those older building earned and deserved. Each of the counties could have had them added to the historic building list and preserved them. JMHO

68jk09 · Apr 25, 2011

Not sure of the Reg #s but i was in LAD*108 when we got a '74 Seag Tiller to replace our '69 ALF.....we did not like the '74.....it was then given to LAD*106.....we got a '68 ALF that had been LAD*123s.....it had been sitting in the shops for a few years ...it had a new engine when we got it.... it was good at first but the ladder hydraulics crapped out after awhile so the shops put another trailer section on it that had came from LAD*120s former ALF Tiller.....that too crapped out after awhile & the shops said either you take a rear mount (which we did not want) or you take another '74 seag tiller which LAD*166 did not want....we took the '74 Tiller & 166 got i believe the ALF rearmount that had been orginally TCU 732/176.......this all took place between '74 & '77...the Reg #s posted for the '74s may have been the original list but i believe it was modified afterwards....our original '74 could have possibly been 7404......the cab section of the '68 ALF may have wound up in LAD*25 as i saw a picture in a gallery on here recently that showed the rig on a Manhattan St.....i can indentify the cab from the custom handrails & other things which i had installed from mungoed parts when we had it.......also on the rig subject ....when LAD*175 was organized in '70 they got our old '63 Seag Tiller which i think was reg # 475......175s next rig was a '68 or '69 ALF Tiller from LAD*31.

L 147 · Apr 26, 2011

L 166 gave up the 1974 tiller because they were killing the tillerman on Neptune Ave. We relocated to 166 and I had the tiller. I lost count the amount of times I hit my head on the tiller cab roof those old sliding tiller enclosure. SL7401 almost new the tiller enclosure slid back.

68jk09 · Apr 26, 2011

147 yes..on the first '74 we had the Tiller enclosure slid back completely this was then replaced by Seagrave w/an enclosure w/stationary roof & back...only the doors slid open.....Lt. Teddy G. was instrumental in getting rid of 166s '74 because mainly as you say the Tillerman took a beating ....this was our main gripe also......the rig lacked the angled suports that the ALF had supporting the rearmost portion of the Tiller overhang....it was sort of like a diving board.

L 147 · Apr 26, 2011

1979 tillers were worse than the 1974. One of the drawbacks from the original enclosures was the handle to open it was right above your head. Here a blast from the past for you chief.

68jk09 · Apr 26, 2011

Excellent shot Thanks....thats the '63 Seagrave.......the FF driving is "Westside" George Cassidy RIP.

baileyjeff · Apr 26, 2011

I am possibly bring up a sore subject but is there any talk of replacing some of the older houses with new houses?

L 147 · Apr 26, 2011

I met him on a few occasions once when he was LD at the shops. Introduced by a couple of my fine officers and former Siegal Eagles.

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/9616/hl1081969americanlafran.png

http://tp://img862.imageshack.us/img862/5334/1968americanlafrancehl1.png

grumpy grizzly · Apr 26, 2011

I was comparing the 1976 Seagraves TDA that Boston purchased to those of the same period that FDNY purchased. Boston's tiller seat had bubble-type windows compared to FDNY's "straight" enclosure. Did FDNY ever think of copying BFD's style? 8)

L 147 · Apr 26, 2011

I talked to one of our Staff Chiefs at the time and mentioned it to him. He had the shops buy a pair to install on 147 rig as a trial apparatus. The shops advised him that they were more of a hindrence than a help. He was the safety chief (3 stars) so they were never installed.

grumpy grizzly · Apr 26, 2011

My apologies, does this concern the BFD type enclosures??

L 147 · Apr 26, 2011

What is the apology for. Yes it was on the BFD type enclosure. This is what SL7401 looked like at the end of is FDNY life which was Feb 1981 with the fixed enclosure like Boston no bubble windows

fdce54 · Apr 27, 2011

H & L 147 said:
I met him on a few occasions once when he was LD at the shops. Introduced by a couple of my fine officers and former Siegal Eagles.

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/9616/hl1081969americanlafran.png

If this photo is indeed the rig that L39 was assigned, it was the most beat up looking rig I ever saw in first line service when in use by L39.

http://tp://img862.imageshack.us/img862/5334/1968americanlafrancehl1.png