Bedford Fire Engine VYB 72W

The Bedford fire engine seen shortly after arrival at Workington

 

VYB 72W is an ex Somerset appliance which found its way to the Innovia films factory as Wigton where it became the site fire engine. Due to a damaged water pump it was deemed suplus to requirements and was donated to the trust free of charge in June 2009. It was brought to Workington on trade plates but having been standing for a while it required a jump start from a friendly lorry driver (see pic below)

    The machine was new to Somerset Fire Brigade in 1980/1981   and it was first issued from new to the Wholetime Station in Taunton.  after a couple of years of years it was most likely  transferred to the one pump retained (part time) station at Wincanton where it remained until being sold out of service to the Innovia factory in Bridgwater.
 
It was part of a batch of three of this type of appliance delivered to the Brigade in this year the other two being VYB71W and VYB73W. Bodywork was by HCB Angus in Totton, Southampton and these three appliances were the first the brigade had with this type of body. They were known as Bedford TKG (d). When in service they were known as gold fish bowls (due to the size of the front windscreen) or the less affectionate term of flying pigs because their handling characteristics weren't that good at speed hence they handled like pigs.
 
 When it was on the run at Wincanton it was known as a Water tender Ladder as it carried a 13.5 metre lacon ladder and its call sign was Lima One Three Zero (Lima meant it was a ladder, one meant it was the first away appliance and three Zero was the station number of Wincanton at the time).