Neptune Fire Company

1974 Mack CF

1974-1999 - Engine 33
1999-2004 - Engine 33-1

Purchased and received in September of 1974, this Engine was featured as a Corgi Model, and was once Mack's "Poster" truck.  Much to the dismay of many members, she was placed out of service due to numerous mechanical problems. 

 With the "retirenment" of "The Mack" as she was known as, an era of firefighting in Richland ended.  It was recently purchased by a collector in the York, PA area who hopes to "fix" her up to her original glory.  Hopefully, pictures will be posted when this occurs.

"Replacement"

Don't mind the date; Gunner doesn't know how to work a camera!  This is one of the only photos of the two Engines working together at a training.

1958 Dodge Utility Truck

This Dodge Utility truck was the first "Squad 33".  It was in service from 1958 to 1993, and served well.  It was one of the first units in the county to have a cascade system on board, and at one point, actually had a pump and a tank on.  Towards the end of its service life, it experienced quite a few problems, such as a leaky crew roof and numerous electrical problems.  It was purchased by a private citizen, and was last seen minus the box, but you could still read the door to know that it belonged to us.

UPDATE: The "Dodge" has been found!  Thanks to Ryan Zerbe, he "tipped" us off to the location of the Dodge.  She doesn't look so good these days, in fact, she's a dump truck in need of a paint job.  I wonder if he uses the red light?

1947 Mack 75 Series

Engine 33 - 1947*-1974
Engine 33-1 - 1974-1998

This Mack was in service for 51 years and served the company well.  She had a 750GPM pump with a 250 gallon tank.  This engine saw its share of fires over the years.  Dinger's of Myerstown, the Myerstown Bowling Alley, and the Newmanstown Fire Company Social Club; just to name a few.  (On a side note, can anyone even name the years those fires took place?)  When it was retired to a "supply piece" in 74, it wasn't a retirement.  This Engine was the perfect supply piece.  With the advent of 5" supply hose, the low bed was excellent for 2000' of hose.  Along with that, and the "go anywhere" wheelbase, this Engine got into a lot of places that today's apparatus would not go.  This Engine is currently owned by John Layser and John Smith, both members of Keystone of Myerstown.  They proudly display the unit at parades all over Pennsylvania, and have kept it original.

*Although considered a 47, The engine was built and ready to go in 1946, however a strike by workers at Mack lasted into 1947 so the truck was not delivered till 1947 and was hence titled in 1947 despite the fact it was built in 1946.  Also in 1961 at 15 years of age this engine went to the 1st annual county pumping contest and won.  (Thanks to President Marks for the addition!)

This photo, taken in black and white for effect, was shot at the 2004 Memorial Day Parade in Richland.

1921 Seagrave

This Engine arrived by train in late summer of 21.  It was a triple combination pumper meaning it had a tank, could draft, and also had a chemical tank.  This unit had wood spoked wheels with solid rubber tires.  These were eventually changed to a solid rim with inflatable tires which can be seen in latter pictures of this engine.  The engine was chain driven and was notorious for jumping out of high gear when driven.  It served the Boro for 25 years and was sold to either the Port Clinton or Port Carbon fire dept.  Its location is unknown today, and oddly enough is the only engine "unaccounted" for.  (Thanks again to President Marks for the history)

1907 Marten~Diggs Chemical Cart

The engine operated by putting acid into soda water to give off CO2 gas that would pressurize the tanks.  You would use one tank then switch to the other while resetting the first and continue back and forth like that.  The formula for this was # gallons of water with 2/5 soda(baking soda) and 1/5 (66 degree) sulfuric acid or oil of vitro as it was known back then.  A working example would be a 40 gal tank would get 8 lbs of acid and 16 lbs of soda to get the desired reaction.  This engine continued in service after the 21 Seagraves arrived.  At some point it was sold and was stored in a barn which burned.  Surprisingly the engine survived and was obtained by the fire police which have restored it.  Unfortunately, it is not restored to an operational level.  Another interesting item about this unit is the fact that no one has ever heard, or can any information be found, on the Marten-Diggs company.  Even contacting fire museums have turned up nothing.  So; for all we know, this is the only engine of its kind!   

1900 - 1914? Wirt Knox Hose Cart

The Hose cart was built between 1900 and 1914 by the WIRT KNOX company of Philadelphia.   The company minutes make no mention of the cart other that a statement of how much hose was on it.  Hence we have no idea where or how much it was or if we bought it new or used.  The cart showed up at the same time that fire hydrants were being placed in town and this allowed for a line to laid from the hydrant to the chemical engine.  Of course back then it might had been possible to just lay the line and put a nozzle in place as the pipes were new and had better water than we do today.  In 1928 in the company minutes it is written that the hose carriage was donated to the Bethany Children's home.  At some time it came back.  The only known existent photos are those taken after the refurb.  It took 1 and a half years to refurb the cart as it was done by local people for free when they had time to work on it. 

This project was spear-headed by President Matt Marks and his father-in-law, Pat Angley

Once again, a special Thank You to President Marks for providing the history of these units!