Vintage work crew photos

[Frank S]

What did they do with the horses once they arrived at the fire? Did someone remove them for their safety and to keep them from going nuts over the fire?

You are correct once a pumping unit was placed on station the horses would no longer be required the team usually only 2 unless it was one of the much larger pumping units would have been the fire station and possibly used to haul a ladder wagon, but most of the horses were trained not to panic in the face of a fire situation resualting in them remaining hitched to the engine they were pulling In larger cities some fire houses had several horses stabled in the fire house several teams were required to haul multiple pumping units and other fire fighting gear
A very good read about the history of fire horses
A History of Horses in the Fire Service - Fire History

[wizard69]

The funny thing about these steam powered fire fighting pumps is that in that era many fires where caused by trains and other steam powered machines throwing out cinders and sparks. In this case we have a huge plume of smoke riding out of the engine. Makes me wonder how long it took to get steam generation up to the point of being able to drive s pump.

[Jon]

From NYC Water Instagram.

Three workmen pause for a photo at a pumping station about 100’ up on the center line of the future Downsville Dam at Pepacton Reservoir. The pumps keep water out of the work site and electricity is carried through the overhead wires. Electrifying! July 12, 1950.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...s_fullsize.jpg

[ranald]

I notice some of the countryside is partially cleared inc the power line easement, presumably for the higher water level when completed. Lots of trees left
. I remember when a dam in Gold Coast (S.E.Qld) hinterland was built, & all trees and housing was lost to the waters ( Advance Town was relocated on the range: but I guess much wildlife adapted while land/tree dwellers probably perished. Water is so important to society that we can loose sight of the big picture. I have a few tanks holding about 20,000 gals (Au) or 100,000 litres approx. One water authority fined a guy (local) for having too many tanks preventing water entering the storm water system! Really? what BS! Power gone mad.
cheers

[Jon]

Stewardesses in a double-decker plane. Date unknown. Largest image size available.

[PJs]

Got the lines of a Stratocruiser and by the dress and hair styles of the Stewy's looks about the right vintage...late 49' early 50's promo piece for Boeing. 920x714 doesn't give much but may try to give it some touch up. Nice Pic Jon, Thanks!

PJ

[marksbug]

"date unknown" oh,so it was a blind date....how long did you date her....

[12bolts]

Upper deck is passenger compartment. Lower deck is baggage/cargo hold.
Airliners are still built to the same style but advancements in aeronautics, materials and design means they look different because instead of being 2 cylinders joined together, we now have egg/oval/ellipse shaped fuselages.

[VinnieL]

We have a Fire Chief who is retiring soon. I am going to use that photo to make a card for him something about "Your First Fire".

[Hans Pearson]

Stewardesses in a double-decker plane. Date unknown. Largest image size available.

It is a Boeing 337 Stratocruiser. The lower deck was also used as a lounge/bar for passengers. The first 337 flew on 8 July 1947 and production continued until 1 February 1950. In all, about 55 were built and the aircraft was a hybred using the wings and tail unit from the Boeing B-29 Super Fortress. The aircraft had a rather bad name as the steel formed propellers used on some models were inclined to shed blades with severe consequences. Main customers were PanAm, United Air Lines, Northwest Air Lines, American Overseas Air Lines and BOAC.