Early fall of this past year, I had the wonderful good fortune to travel to Virgina City, Nevada. This old and amazing historical town was home to the Comstock Fireman's Museum and naturally I couldn't resist checking it out.
I found this gorgeous piece of fire fighting equipment from the turn of the century. It is a Circa 1879 Clapp and Jones Steam Fire Engine made in Hudson New York. The restoration took two and half years with the guidance of steam power consultant Tom Gray. I was told by the Docent of the Museum that this sparkling and like new restored engine is slated to appear in the next Rose Bowl Parade .
I was so fascinated by how beautifully it was restored. There are a variety of other famous engines on display but this one really caught my eye. Very useful in it's time, this was indeed The Little Engine that Could and Did.
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Hi William..Oh this brings back memories..when my Mum used to take me to our local Market on Saturdays, and there was a Stream Fire Engine I used Play on...today it's been restored by the Victoria Fiore Dept and they bring it t special events puffing steam and all.When it's not being shown, they have it on display in front of the Main Fire hall in a glass building..I'll put that on my list of photos to collect. Cheers
Hi Fred , I still do that. Get on em, that is . When I was in Seattle for the National Fireman's Muster Competition, well, here I am , all decked out and ready for any contingency. It was too hot that day for the coat but I was totally ready.
Wow that was commitment putting that beauty back together. We need more people who will take the time and love to restore old artifacts and historical pieces. Love your photo above.
Hi William,
Enjoyed this post very much...two and a half years to restore, amazing! Looks awesome.
Hi Jenny,
The other pieces in their collection are equally awesome and inspiring. I will do a post on the most famous of all, the Little Engine #1
Hi Chris and Maria, It has been a while, How are you both. Thank you so much, it was even more enjoyable for me. :-)
That is so cool, restored as it is William, they don't make them like that anymore.
Virginia City is a really fun destination! I hope you took the mine tour while you were there! The last time I was there a couple of years ago, they were in the process of restoring Piper's Opera House. I'm anxious to see it when that is completed! I understand that the Annual Out-House Races are a yearly raucous event - fun to attend:-)
Pretty Cool Engine! You just got to love when someone is so talented to restore old items.
Willaim, It sure did....in stunning elegance! What a gorgeous shot of the absolute beauty of things gone by.
William, I love it when people spend the time, effort and yes money to restore things like this steam engine. A masterful job, and great photo and background on it!
Hi Gary, How are you my friend. I hope all is doing great. They sure don't make them like that any more. We should be proud in our country for all of our magnificent design and progress. The world can only copy us and imitation is nothing short of true flattery.
Hi Myrl, Didn't know about the out house races but I did see a sign for the Camel Races. It is a destination indeed. I didn't do a mine tour but I did visit the Chollar Mine and the grounds.
Hi Lizette. I found a picture of this on line of the before and you are so right, this restoration was done by some really talented people.
Hi Carole, Thank you so much. It was a really fun trip there.
Hi Tony and Darcy, I love it and really appreciate that you dropped over. So wonderfully said , is your comment.
Hi William, a great looking piece of equipment. I just love it when people take the time and money to respect an important historic item like that. I just shot a bunch of photos today of rusted old tractors and other farm equipment and tried to feel a connection . . . this works a lot better. Thanks for bringing it here.
Wow! It's beautiful, William! Whaqt a great thing it is for us that there are people that can, and do restore these things to their original beauty! Looks like a place i would enjoy.
Debi
Hi Frank. It was a real beauty as were some of the other pieces of fire equipment. It was certainly interesting to go through and observe how far we have progressed.
Hi Debi, You would indeed love Virginia City. It is a plethora of sights and almost a unique culture all of it's own. I was showing some of the photos to family yesterday and it was definitely a place of interest. It was funny though, while I was there, I was thinking of Myrl and how much she probably enjoyed the place as well. She is a real expert on the old historical places in the West. And I do believe she has visited here more than once.
I love the pic with you all decked out and raring to go!
Hey man seems that you had fun with the train, it's like you travel on time and imagine many things thoese years ! :P Great blog my friend.
Woo Hoo
I knew you would get a kick out of it. I can still here you giggling.
Hi Ray, I did indeed. Life should always be full of these moments and when we share them, we get to re-live them and it makes it all the more wonderful.
Nice picture... "Now that's technology!" Talk about time travel...
William, as the wife of a former fire chief, I do appreciate an old fire engine when I see one! Have a great Sunday!
Hi Rene, Well backwards in time at least. But is certainly does help us remember our progress.
Hi Sylvia, Well said and I expect that you also appreciate the Chief as well. :-)
William,
You are a total poet ! :) I always enjoy reading your blogs, keep them coming ! I will be around watching them !
It would have been awesome to see this in action....bet it was something! Hope you have a great day!
Thanks Ray, that was nice of you say so.
Hi Rob, I would bet is would be cool to watch. Thanks for dropping by. I share the same idea as you had.
Hi Rob, I would bet is would be cool to watch. Thanks for dropping by. I share the same idea as you had.
Hi Rob, I would bet is would be cool to watch. Thanks for dropping by. I share the same idea as you had.
William-I absolutely love posts like this. Thanks for sharing. There is history behind it and it appears that it has a bright future. To think that all that time was put forth to bring it back to life.
I love things of yesteryear. Maybe there is a simplicity about them that we no longer enjoy.
Hi Josee, Thank you and I like them as well. It is fun to understand the local efforts in the contex of the whole country. We are so fortunate in ActiveRain that while we ecah express locally, overall we get the larger picture of our country and the many treasres contained within.
Hi Deena, Me too. And you are probably right about that. In our so very complex world today, the past may just too simple to actually put into context.
They did a great job on the restoration. I am not too far from Hudson, NY. We will have to keep an eye out during the parade!
Hi William,
Wow, what a cool engine. I have always been fascinated by the older automobiles. Thanks for sharing!
Dawn
William, what a great picture! I enjoy anything to do with history and to imagine that this was the fire engine at one time is incredible. Thanks for your post! Have a good night.
William, what a great picture! I enjoy anything to do with history and to imagine that this was the fire engine at one time is incredible. Thanks for your post! Have a good night.
Hi William, That's a beautiful restoration, it almost looks too pretty to put out a fire LOL! That's a great photo and history lesson at the same time. Thanks, William!
William that is certainly one fine looking train! Of course you are the master of photography as well:)
Hi Debra,
It was so new looking and shiny ( not to mention red, :-). As I recall, in the Rose Bowl Parade, a certain percentage of any entry has top be covered with flowers. It might be easier to make a mock up of this Little Engine that Could. :-)
Hi Dawn, You would have been in Heaven . Check this out. An old restored pick up I saw at the mine.
Hlga, Thanks for dropping over and I am glad you enjoyed this.
Hi Mary,
There is so much in the country and we all get to share it. It was an enjoyable experience.
Hi Bill, How are you? Always wonderful when you drop by. Thanks you so much for the wonderful compliment. I love taking photos and learning how to do it better.