top of page

Today in YFD History - How Do You Deliver a Fire Truck (1944)

​Photos from the Clarence Thomas Collection.

The year is 1944 and the United States is involved in World War II. The concept of a national interstate highway system is 12 years away. So how do you get something from point A to point B?  By ship? What if it is a newly ordered 85 foot ladder truck coming from American LaFrance Corp of Elmyra, NY to Youngstown, Ohio? You load it onto a Pennsylvania Railroad freight car and ship it, of course.

​

Today, it is not uncommon for a fire truck manufacturer to hop on the interstate or turnpike and drive a new truck to its intended destination. However, a national interstate system didn’t exist till 1956. At that time, vehicles were not built for long distance driving. Milage was poor and fire trucks weren’t exactly designed for comfort. Manufacturers used the primary method of inland transportation, that being rail, to move goods and equipment from one point to another.

​

In 1944, the Pennsylvania Railroad pulled a freight car onto a siding at the Pennsylvania Railroad Freight Station on W. Front Street in Downtown Youngstown, and unloaded the city’s newest piece of state of the art firefighting equipment. The vehicle cost $18,000.

​Photos from the Clarence Thomas Collection.

Youngstown Vindicator. September 26, 1944

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map for Youngstown 1944-1950.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter Clean
  • YouTube

DISCLAIMER: This site is not an "official" city of Youngstown website. Any official department business should be directed to the Fire Chief's office at 330-747-7403. The content provided is believed to be an accurate representation of the YFD. This site is a tribute to the firefighters who serve the City of Youngstown and its citizens. The Job Opportunities section should not be considered as an official notice of examination. Information regarding testing dates will be listed on the City of Youngstown's official web site. No city funds were or are used for this website.

IAFF LOCAL
312
SITE

Copyright © 1998-2024 Site designed and maintained by Greg Ricker.

CITY OF YOUNGSTOWN SITE

© youngstownfire.com
bottom of page