Vintage Fire Truck Collection | Fire Engines - Ahrens-Fox, Bickle Seagrave, American LaFrance

Brian Beard has had a passion for fire engines and firefighting his whole life. As a kid he would visit the local firehall and talk to the heroes that worked there. Later on, he became a volunteer firefighter before pursuing a career as a civil engineer. Now retired, Brian pursues his passion for firefighting with his collection of vintage fire trucks which he keeps housed in his very own fire hall. He has turned his property into one of Canada's best private fire engine collections complete with an operating Gamewell alarm system and two fire hall buildings. Brian also co-authored The History of the Edmonton Fire Department.
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[@tonydeleo3642]

Thank you for preserving OUR heritage in the fire service. Paid firefighters haver replaced citizen -firemen who came running from there places of employment or their homes to serve our communities. THEY CALLED, WE CAME RUNNING! THANK YOU Tony De Leo, Volunteer firfighter / EMT, Asst hief to Chief.

[@brian6872]

Thank you all for the great comments. It's a lot of work and love that makes things worthwhile. My collection, besides being a work of art, is a salute to all the brave firemen and firefighters who responded .

[@victorhayes9975]

👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👏🚒🚨

[@krystynamcilroy5837]

I was a firefighter & Drove a 1936 Hale for many years best truck I ever drove, I'm 70

[@549BR]

I wonder how many other boys visited the town fire station and railroad station on their bicycles? The guys who maned the fire station were big, as the large LaFrance trucks were heavy, and there was no power steering. The fire chief told me the same thing, and I ended up as a college professor. The telegrapher at the train station had all kind of train stories for us, and now that station is a historical designated building, and houses a nice restaurant. Those kind of life experiences are pretty much gone, unfortunately. 😎

[@CENTERLANE]

I’m sure that it was quite a few. Those were the days. Thanks for watching.

[@stevengoldsmith5985]

Thank you i hav a vintage collection myself and lov spendg time with my trucks im a retired city deputy chief again thank you for perservg our history

[@CENTERLANE]

Glad you enjoyed watching this episode. Thanks for watching my channel.

[@DanielOrtegoUSA]

The first dept station I worked at had a Gamewell system, and we had those boxes all over the area. The captain would grab the ticket tape as we would slide down the pole and suit up. I would climb up on the tail board of the 1954 Ward LaFrance and off we went. 🚒

[@CENTERLANE]

Very cool. Thanks for watching.

[@davemadeja8466]

Wow. Awesome job of preserving fire department history

[@DavidAWestYYC]

What a unique collection. Brian, you have done something truly awesome by bringing these trucks to their original state! Thank you for sharing with us.

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for your comment David. Brian is a great caretaker of these gorgeous machines.

[@TheInkPitOx]

I wish all antiques could be restored to original condition.

[@javierbarrucz7755]

Impressive 🔥 truck 🛻 collection ❤❤❤❤❤ 9:45

[@williamschlenger1518]

Ahrens Fox was always my favorite.I watched them work many times growing up.

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for watching. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@aaronwatkins8973]

I used to live up the road from the old factory. I heard some guy bought it with all the old equipment and parts and lived off selling parts and fixing them for decades.

[@samschwartzberg3070]

I was a volunteer firefighter for West University Place, Texas. We had a 1948 American La France pumper V12 pump panel on officers side. West University Place fire department was the first volunteer fire department in America to have monitor radios in the members home to receive our calls!

[@sdc5683]

St Thomas Ontario Fire Dept. has the same Bickle Seagrave pumper just like the one you have featured near the beginning of your video.It is in mint condition and still housed in one of there fire halls.My Dad was a firefighter in St.Thomas for over 30 years and as a kid I thought this was the best looking fire truck ever and I still do.

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for sharing your story. Glad you liked the video.

[@TheWpafirephotograph]

Thank you for sharing sir this is great ❤️

[@CENTERLANE]

Glad you enjoyed it Bob. Thanks for watching.

[@Skoorb45]

Brian has the best for sure. So glad Georges and I could help him acquire the little LaFrance. My own first engine was a ‘51 Bickle-Seagrave bought by the RCAF. It is now in the museum at Camp Borden home of CF firefighter training.

[@Bobbyd0052]

THANK YOU SIR , FOR SHARARING AND CARING FOR THESE BEAUTIFUL TRUCKS !" TOP SHELF" !🇺🇲❤️🏅

[@slyversa9613]

I've always loved fire trucks my entire life and showing the truck that were manned by the African American was great to see and especially having it restored to its original condition thank you for that

[@kevincampbell7276]

I just love your fire trucks I've always loved fire trucks you done such a great job can you do a video of one of your Aerials extended way out up in the air and maybe one of them spraying water off the pump system that would be so cool

[@michaelrepanti8049]

Thank You !!

[@justincase7937]

Sure, back in those day firefighter didn't make a lot of money but it was all relative. My father retired in 1980. He started out making about $95 a week in the 40's and 50's. Don't know what he was making when he retired as a captain in 1980 but he always provided, owned his own home outright and wasn't poor. I retired as a captain two years ago making $110K a year. Firefighters with overtime and details were making more than me, upwards of $140K to $155K. I would never discourage anyone form taking the job. The money and benefits are excellent and if you aren't a fool with your money you will live a comfortable life.

[@braised44]

The city of Lynn Mass, where I grew up had an Ahrens Fox and I always thought it was so impressive with that big chrome ball up front. The firemen had no protection from the weather.... Open cab! Great sound too.

[@CENTERLANE]

They are pretty impressive! Like rolling works of art.

[@firedogs9074]

Very cool!! See the love for these trucks is awesome.

[@jimheckert5383]

Fantastic Sir. Thank you. Beautiful

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for watching!

[@markdavid1071]

Thanks for your dedication and inspiration, Merry Christmas

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for watching.

[@dennisalexander3944]

Thanks that was great to see

[@CENTERLANE]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching.

[@kaden1858]

That’s my grandpa

[@coyote96h]

We have a neat old truck if you are interested. Have all the paperwork with it too.

[@mwand89]

I'm surprised that the 1922 Ahren-Fox in the collection was originally manned by black firefighters.😮

[@mwand89]

@brucehitchen4020 no problem sir!😊

[@williamschlenger1518]

All hand lettering & gold leaf.

[@CENTERLANE]

Yes. It’s beautiful work. Thanks for watching.

[@bobsummers717]

Where is this museum? Is it open for visitors

[@ungurdani8346]

Salut my friend super car super video subscribe subscribe ..

[@CENTERLANE]

Thank you!! Glad you liked it!

[@wademacdougall1600]

Have a 1954,ford f1000-t 4x4

[@franciscarroll7200]

Is your collection kept in NY,I was just wondering if your collection was open to the public to see,I am a volunteer fireman in N J

[@CENTERLANE]

I’m not the collector but his collection is located in Langley, British Columbia Canada. That is about an hour from Vancouver. Road trip!

[@CENTERLANE]

Thanks for watching!

[@franciscarroll7200]

Thanks,I wish you and the trucks well,they look great