Save these Antique Fire Engines in Peshawar, Pakistan

Proposed Project: Preservation & Restoration of Two Antique Fire-engines.

Two vintage government owned "Merryweather London" fire-engines (models c1919-21) are parked in a British-era fire brigade shed at Gor Khuttree, Peshawar - Pakistan. The condition of these rare antiquities is far from satisfactory. Under threat from natural elements due to neglect, the trucks are gathering dust and slowly corroding and are on the brink of being reduced to metal junk.

Sarhad Conservation Network (SCN) invites all those interested in their preservation/ restoration to share their expertise or suggestions with SCN.

SCN and a group of concerned citizens have stepped up efforts and are pressing the government to get them restored. However, funds available for their restoration are modest. SCN can provide some additional support from its own sources. With a bit of care and attention this priceless heritage can be saved. Private or professional enthusiasts skilled in assembly/ overhauling & refurbishing of antique vehicles are requested to contact SCN.

Sarhad Conservation Network is a Peshawar based NGO concerned with preservation of the environment, culture and heritage of the province. Donations/ Grants are welcome. (Search "Sarhad Conservation Network" on google to find us)


The Statesman, Peshawar City
The vintage fire engines await restoration, proper display

By Shaheen Buneri

PESHAWAR: The Sarhad Conservation Network has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of the two red-coloured fire engines of the pre-partition British India time and requested the authorities concerned to take timely action for their restoration.

It has asked the concerned quarters for the conservation of the vintage automobiles.

According to the SCN, the two fire engines are presently parked under a dismal-looking municipal shed of the fire brigade at Gor Gatri where the condition of these rare antiquities is far from satisfactory.

Under threat from natural elements and neglect, the engines are slowly corroding and are on the brink of being reduced to metal junk.

The name of the Merry Weather London Company that manufactured them in the early 1900s is still visible on the portions of these aged engines.

Historically, the first petrol powered fire engine made its appearance in 1903. Merry Weather built the vehicle for the Tottenham Fire Brigade in North London. Until the First World War in 1915, the manufacturers tried to produce a petrol/electric variant using dynamos to supply electricity to drive the vehicles.

Following the war, however, Merry Weather and Dennis emerged as the premier British fire engine manufacturers, concentrating solely on the petrol engine as the standard.

The services of Sufyan Saadat Kakakhel, a first year engineering student at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, are worth appreciating in highlighting the historical significance of these machines by sending e-mails and letters to the organizations working for the conservation of the historical sites and objects.

The Sarhad Conservation Network, a local NGO concerned with heritage and environment, has requested the authorities to take timely action for the proper restoration of the engines and has called for conservation of these vintage automobiles.

It has further asked for having them displayed at some other favourable place where the general public and heritage admirers may view them more enjoyably.

It has suggested the Peshawar Museum or the Balahisar Fort can serve as the appropriate spots to house the engines as tourists frequently visit these places.

It is hoped the matter will be given due consideration and the vehicles will be granted proper care that they deserve because they form part of Peshawar's historical legacy.

Keywords: Classic Car Restoration Antique Motor Car Clubs Restoration Old repairs Heritage Antiquity auto autos automobile automobiles wheeled vehicle burnout burn out refurbishing renovating RESTORING THE CHASSIS, SUSPENSION, BRASS, AND STEERING; BRAKES, WHEELS, AND TYRES; THE ENGINE, CLUTCH, AND GEAR BOX; FUEL SYSTEMS; THE OVERHAUL OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; BODY WORK, MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND CONSTRUCTION; INTERIOR RENOVATION, DOORS, AND INSTRUMENTS; ELECTROPLATING; THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB; THE AESTHETICS OF RESTORATION transport Merryweather London FireEngine FireBrigade Fire Engine Fire Brigade Heritage History Islamabad Lahore Karachi British Raj British India Peshawar Pakhtunkhwa, North West Frontier Province, NWFP, Pakistan

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Fire
• Engine
• Restoration
• Antique
• Classic
• Motor
• Car
• Old
• British
• Raj
• India
• Peshawar
• Frontier
• NWFP
• Pakistan

[storm4X4]

mohsin has done what he can, when are you going t post up a new video?

[peshawargallery]

@storm4X4 THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENT. A VIDEO REPONSE HAS BEEN ADDED AS AN UPDATE. GREAT JOB BY MOHSIN AND TEAM!

[sidecrank]

These engines are unique in being untouched,do not under any circumstances let any one near them with a paint brush!! They look to be in very good condition,just very light cleaning and oiling etc would be enough.What do you mean restore?Paint them with modern paint and lose all that history? I think you should mount a campaign to leave them exactly as they are so we can see how merryweather made and finnished their engines.

[BRENTHENRY1989]

sounds like a job for jay leno ;)

[continentalV12]

Having done that....we cleaned the wooden body with a super fine emry paper and left it as it is.....but with faded, scratched paint and damaged wood portions which had to be replaced plus a freshly painted fire wall....we had to paint the wooden body too. Another aspect which kind of justified repainting was that this truck had already been refurbished earlier in its life....so it wasnt the original paint. I hope Express Tv puts the clip here for everyone to see.....

[continentalV12]

@sidecrank - I totally agree and understand your suggestion. That is exactly what we had decided to do....just clean it up and preserve it. Parked with decades of dust on them made them look very sound but after having cleaned them we found out that most of the body hardly had any paint left...rust had penetrated through the paint and we had no option but to paint the fenders and the firewall.

[5h42z]

@sidecrank i think that shall do the trick with them

[5h42z]

@sw8741 i think you are absolutley right he should do that

[sw8741]

the honor of these engines can only be fulfilled by leaving them in their place as they were last touched. my suggestion, buy the buildings (or atleast secure rights to keep them there) where they are now, protect them with appropriate temp and humidity controls, and make them a stop on a tour. along with all the historical info of the area at the time and the history to the present. enlist locals in the matter as it is part of their heritage.

[faiz2skhan]

yar charta pa kabar ye khars ka, pa de gand sa kay. kho kabare ba ye hum asi wankhle.

sahi khabara da "za darna poza prekom ao ta pezwan ghware"