The Fire engine is manufactured by John Morris and sons. It is chair driven, has an external gate gear change, solid tyres and a transmission brake. I should know, I had the privilege of driving it for the entire distance of the Statesman rally, both in 2008 and 2009! Great fun, but wrestling with the steering and the gears for over 130 kms in 2008 and 70 odd kms in 2009 left my arms limp for a few days thereafter. On the main road, it was a pleasure to drive, we were clipping at about 50 to 60 kmph. The problem arose when trying to negotiate turnings or when one hit a speed bump.
This fire engine belonged to the Nizam's State Railway and the South Central Railway following nationalisation. It was moved to the Delhi Rail Museum in the seventies. Every year, just before the Delhi Statesman rally, a team from the Lallaguda workshops of the South Central Railway in Hyderabad come to Delhi to fettle the engine. Wonderfully dedicated chaps. The vehicle needs restoration, though, particularly of the livery and the cosmetics, which are not as detailed as one would wish. Here are some photos of the engine, including one with yours truly at the wheel. For me, this has been the ultimate in government provided transport! The photo posted by Wasif doesn't seem to have been snapped in either 2008 or 2009, because I didn't relinquish the driver's seat even for a second! Would you, if you had a chance to drive this beast? |