OSL 372Y - Bedford TK
This vehicle is unique being the first full-sized appliance built by Mountain Range Ltd for the UK home market. OSL372Y was new to the UK pharmaceutical group Glaxo, and remained in their ownership until it was disposed of for preservation. OSL372Y was purchased new in 1983 by Glaxochem Ltd, the then manufacturing division of the Glaxo Group (now GlaxoSmithKline) as one of two appliances providing cover on one of the Company’s strategic UK manufacturing plants. She was built as a one-off industrial appliance and before delivery to Glaxochem, was exhibited on the Mountain Range Ltd stand at the 1983 UK International Fire Exhibition at Harrogate. The specification required the appliance to take maximum advantage of weight carrying and equipment storage space and was required to carry the maximum quantity of foam concentrate and water as the chassis would allow. At that time the Bedford TK chassis had a competitive load carrying capability and was therefore chosen as the basis for the build. The need to maximise locker space resulted in the appliance having a box-like appearance. Also included in the specification was the capability to deliver water and foam simultaneously from separate deliveries via a 750 gallons (3000 litres) per minute multi-stage Godiva pump. The original spec called for a 1000 gpm (4500 litres) capacity pump however the Bedford engine would have been left with little power redundancy and it was decided to reconfigure the spec around the 750 gpm pump. The hose reels were to be low pressure / high-pressure and capable of delivering un-aspirated AFFF foam for use on small flammable liquid fires; a relatively new technique in those days derived by the oil/gas/chemical industries. The reels were of extended length to enable high-risk areas to be reached from recognised site roadways.
The white cab roof was deliberate. Firstly to clearly identify her, particularly during silent hours, from the local authority appliances who would also respond to any incident on site. Secondly, as a marker to indicate she was the Command and Control vehicle pending the need for and arrival of any oncoming Control Unit from the local authority brigade. When new, she also had white painted wheels and a red chevron-ed front bumper. On being replaced with a new Scania chassis-ed Multi Media Tender in 1999, OSL372Y was donated to the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum at Lathalmond in Fife for use as an exhibit. The vehicle has since passed into private ownership and is once again being given care, attention, and effort to restore her to the condition she was in during her operational life.
