Rare vintage fire pumper rolls into Remington Carriage Museum

Westwind Weekly News Photo Submitted. RARE VINTAGE: The 1914 Waterous Steam Fire Pumper at the Remington Carriage Museum.

Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston is now home to a 1914 Waterous Steam Fire Pumper, which was donated by a local Calgary collector. Almost no others of its kind have remained intact. Adding to its rarity, the engine remains in fully functional condition.

The firefighting machine was built more than a century ago and spent some of its early years in Québec. It has since been painstakingly restored and donated to the museum where another smaller one like it is already housed.

Major addition to the collection

The donation represents a significant addition to the provincial museum collection and carries stories of its use and restoration throughout the 20th century. Furthermore, the vehicle was originally made in Canada, a trait that sets it apart from its U.S. counterparts and adds to its uniqueness.

“Albertans value the stories of our shared past and the artifacts that help bring those stories to life. As our museum collections grow, so does the depth of our understanding of that past,” said Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women.

Alberta’s government proudly owns and operates 20 museums and heritage sites as well as the Provincial Archives. Last year, Alberta’s government dedicated more than $52 million to the heritage sector to ensure Alberta’s rich history continues to be protected, promoted and celebrated.

Quick facts

– The Waterous Steam Fire Pumper was built around 1913 in Brantford, Ont., and was bought second-hand by the Township of Pointe-aux-Trembles, Québec in 1917.

– It was purchased by a Calgary collector in 1997 and was restored by a Michigan restorer. At that time, it was found to still be in working condition with no leaks. It includes 90 per cent original material with most of the restoration being cosmetic. Paint detailing was done based on uncovered paint layers found during the restoration process and archival photos of the engine during its use in Québec.

– The Remington Carriage Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday.