A tuesday evening progress update on Nellie, our ex- Port of Felixstowe/Gipping and Rural District Council, Dennis New World fire appliance. New in 1939 and built specifically to fit under the low railway bridge at Needham Market, she was retired from the Suffolk Fire service in Ipswichs Bond Street station in 1966. Then followed a spell as a pumping appliance and emergency vehicle at the Port of Felixstowe where Nellie amazingly lasted in occasional use until 1985! After that she was placed on loan to the fledgling museum, and finally the Port of Felixstowe donated her to us outright in 2006. Ever reliable, she has never been fully restored and thus remains largely intact in original condition- but her body was starting to show its age. So, Nellie is currently being treated to some TLC which has included some rebuilding of the rear platform, some attention to the brakes, and new corded rubber matting throughout. Trevor, Malcolm, Bob, Ralph and Alan are doing a grand job.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 18:45:17 +0000