AndyC3J

Looks like a bit of info got lost in the downtime. I will try to bring things up to date regarding this topic: Middletown's new Truck 1 has been delivered and is now in service. Washingtonville's new Ferrara Igniter pumper has hit the production line. Tuxedo has re-bid two engines, now specifying one to be a top-mount pump and one side mount. Montgomery's two units have had final inspection and should be delivered soon. Orange Lake has ordered two KME engines. Chester has received a new brush truck. Port Jervis has (or had?) a Request for Proposal on the City's website for a new ladder truck. Greenville taking bids for a new tower ladder, despite a ton of people (including two of their own commissioners) telling them they "don't need it". Greenwood Lake and Fort Montgomery taking bids for engine and pumper-tanker, respectively. Have not heard who they went with (if anyone) yet. I think that's everything currently in the works. Any additions, corrections or updates are welcome.

Negative. Truck 3 has been repaired and is back in service.

322 is one of my favorite rigs in the county, and is on a short list of those that I wish I had the resources to acquire and preserve once it's time does come. Forgot about Montgomery, mainly because I already knew about it...but maybe others didn't, so thanks for mentioning it. A comment on their Facebook page says final inspection will be in "late winter". I don't know if the rigs have not hit the assembly line yet, or if they requested the build pics not be posted. Guess time will tell.

Thanks for the info. I figured 326 was one of them, but wasn't sure about the second. Didn't think they'd get rid of 322 just yet, so soon after being refurbed. Looking forward to seeing how it works out.

Not an expert, per se, on the subject, but I believe the reason why the musters stopped happening is because the organization(s) that hosted them disbanded. I can only wish that I had gotten into this scene a few years earlier and had been able to take in a few of them, either Croton or Valhalla, as the photos I've seen and the stories that have been told are great! Our own (Fire-Cats) muster was a good time back when it was at the County park, too. It would be a great thing if someone were to revive such events, whether it be the formation of a new SPAAMFAA chapter or just an individual fire department (or just a group of dedicated buffs) that had the resources to put it on. Somewhere in Westchester would be ideal...centrally located to draw rigs from within the county as well as both Long Island and upstate. Connecticut, too. From what I've seen at the J.I.M.M.Y. fundraiser muster and various parades over the years, there are some real gems in the tri-state metro area that would make for a great event if given the chance. I heard a few prominent photographers talking at a muster in Jamesburg, NJ last summer, saying that this event is becoming "the new Croton". Not sure what was meant by that...either turnout or significance or what...but would be great to have something big like it a little closer to home.

Nice shots. Wow...Chevy Bisons are rare enough as it is, but seeing one used as a fire apparatus is even more so. Great catch there.

SHARP lookin' rig! Best of luck with it. Any plans for a wetdown or public dedication next spring?

Good to see you getting out and about again. Haven't lost a step with the camera, either. Man, that Stiloski's wrecker is a BEAST!

Love the new Tampa mid-mount!

Firematic removed the production pics from their Facebook page (and probably their website as well) at the request of the department, which probably explains the "not found" message you got. Hopefully they will be able to post pics of the finished product.

I have all but the first two issues. If my finances were in better shape, could have picked up both of the missing two within the last year. Maybe some day....

Not to mention the amount of work that needs to be done to the building itself before it can officially be open to the public as the museum that it was originally intended to be.Dead batteries....yeah, ask me how many of the trucks that were outside had to be jump-started just to be put away, including the scissorlift that was intended for some overhead photos for our website.

It was the afternoon of Memorial Day 2010.

T-bone MVA was two years ago. They wanted to total it and buy a demo or stock unit to replace it and get back in business, but I believe the insurance company decided they wanted it fixed instead. Cost of repairs nearly matched what the rig cost when new in 1996, and they had a slew of issues with it once it did come back. Yes, as was stated, the reason for ditching the tiller was to try to eliminate one paid position. They need 32 firefighters to keep each rig staffed 24/7 now, and the current roster is (if not mistaken) 27. Engine 4 has been OOS getting repainted and some other issues, and they aren't running the old E6 as a spare in it's place for whatever reason.

The Truck 3 incident sounds like a repeat of a few years ago....cut the turn a little too soon coming out of the bay and botched up the tail end of the rig. Since we're keeping track, somebody ripped a cabinet door off of Engine 1 again, too. Hopefully they get it out of their systems (LOL!) before the new Truck 1 arrives. Have heard anywhere between December and February for an ETA, but if it's starting to be built already, I say probably sooner than later.

Optional donation to get in the building. Small fee for food, refreshments, raffle tix, etc. The Ridgefield/Cliffside tiller is supposed to be there, although it's being stored at his other location in the O.C. due to lack of space here.

No problem! Any other department (or private owner) that wants to bring a 1987 or older rig is welcome to do so. Don't let the number of other rigs on site discourage you...the Leider collection is not eligible for the show awards unless he chooses to enter a piece or two.

Entry fee for show competition is $20 per truck.

Just a reminder....event is next Saturday. Fingers crossed hoping for decent weather!

Numerous news sources are reporting that the great actor Ernest Borgnine passed away this afternoon at the age of 95. While he had other more famous roles, I always remember him as Sheriff "Dirty Lyle" Wallace, the nemesis of Kris Kristofferson's Rubber Duck character in "Convoy". Rest in peace, sir.

I'm only a "buff" (apparatus photographer, more specifically), but I've owned a '95 Wrangler since '98.

I was going to bump that post up for easier reference, but it says it's been archived and can't be replied to. Wow, can't believe it's been three years since those rigs came up here. Where DOES the time go???

You're not wrong, it did. And the year before, too, most likely. And they still continue to appear as such. Once somebody falls off that rig (or one of the aforementioned shuttle engines), it'll just give the anti-parade crowd that much more ammo for their argument. But let's not turn this into another one of "those" threads. Great pics! Looks like you were right down the street from where I would have been. Did I mention how much I love working second shift hours? [/sarcasm]. Oh, and if somebody would give that White Plains babe my number, yeah, that would be nice.

Yep, it is. Owner is a member of Yorktown Heights, which probably explains it's presence there accompanying the other PCFD rigs.

It's the Catskill Fire-Cats' (Catskill Chapter of SPAAMFAA) 36th Annual Muster 9 AM to 4 PM, rain or shine. Address: 2618 Route 302 Middletown, NY 10941 Route 17/future I-86 Exit 119, then 1/4 mile south (left off ramp if travelling west) Over 250 trucks in the building. Many will be outside the day of the event. All fire apparatus welcome to attend, any rigs 1987 or older eligible for show awards. Activities for children, food, refreshments, raffles, Tricky Tray and more.