After almost 32 years of relatively trouble free running, the Perkins
510 that powered Water Tender Escape YHS 151H, has finally given up
the ghost!
For the last 7 years, the Preservation Group has tried through
a succession of regular oil changes, oil treatments and lots
of TLC, to keep the appliance running. The vehicle made only
a few appearances over the last 2 years, mainly due to the
ever present smoke screen that engulfed everything in it’s
path! (plus we didn’t want to get pulled by the Polis!)
The time had come when a decision had to be made to guarantee
the future of ‘Big D’.
To Repair or Replace.
Worn piston rings and defective crankshaft oil seals were amongst
some of the faults diagnosed. Budget constraints and other factors
were taken into consideration and it was decided to look for
a replacement engine. We found a suitable engine in a redundant
snow plough that had served at Glasgow Airport. The donor vehicle
was brought to Strathclyde Fire Brigade workshops at Brigade
H.Q. Hamilton and the workshops staff, under the guidance of
workshops Supervisor Davie McCauslan, set about removing the
engine. ‘Big D’ made her last journey powered by ‘old smokey’ in late September. Both engines were removed by late October and the new Perkins 540 was fitted in ‘Big D’ in
early November.
On Thursday 21st November, the appliance, driven by Bill (big
Wullie)Gordon, made it’s way back to it’s regular
home at Milngavie Fire Station.
The new engine performed perfectly. Hopefully ‘Big D’ will
again be seen around the rally scene next year.
The Preservation Group would like to thank the
following people for their assistance in the re-engining of ‘Big
D’
Firemaster Jeff Ord,
Deputy Firemaster David Kennedy,
Assistant Firemaster Brian Sweeney,
Workshops Supervisor Davie McCauslan and the workshops staff,
Gordon Charnley for finding the replacement engine.
Contact : Bob
Wright