Jumbo, Being Rejuvenated, Called Oldest of Rare Make
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After completion of restoration work in a couple of years, a 1911 Robinson pumper, believed to be the oldest survivor of a rare line of fire apparatus, will return to Staunton, Va.
Purchased in 1911 for $8500 by the Staunton Fire Department, it was one of the first triple combination pumpers built by the Robinson Fire Apparatus Manufacturing Company of St. Louis. It was also one of the first motorized fire apparatus in Virginia. Jumbo, as it was named, marked the beginning of the end for horse-drawn fire apparatus in Staunton. By 1917, two more motorized vehicles were purchased and the horses were put out to pasture.
Still in running condition, Jumbo also was retired in 1929. Then followed successive moves from storage area to storage area until 1959, when the city manager finally offered the truck to a group of neighboring fire fighters for $100. Members of the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department were horrified at the thought of losing the old truck, and after a short discussion with the city manager, it was agreed that the truck would be given to the Staunton volunteers. For 20 more years, the truck went unnoticed until vandals found it and once again it was moved—this time to a barn at the farm of Glenn Ashby, the assistant chief of the volunteers.
Committee raises funds
Nearly sold, vandalized and shifted from home to home, Jumbo had an uncertain future until a group of citizens and volunteer fire fighters formed the Jumbo Restoration Committee last year. Months passed while the committee raised the initial funds and finally last Aug. 23 the pumper arrived at White Post Restorations at White Post, Va., where it will be restored to its original condition within the next two years.
Under the supervision of Greg Cone, master machinist and technician, the pumper has already been dismantled to subassemblies. Each detail was carefully documented, sketched and photographed.
Because of its rarity, research on the Robinson through fire apparatus clubs, museums and several major libraries has produced little information. However, one fact that has come to light is that the first Robinsons were built on a Chadwick passenger car chassis, but this pumper is one of the first to use a Robinson-built chassis.
Major problems
Although the truck is in good original condition, there are major problems to be overcome. Because the rocker arms of the 6-cylinder 1245-cubic-inch engine are inside the crankcase rather than outside, considerable damage occurred sometime in the last 20 years when one rocker arm broke. Also, the pump housing froze and burst, and the 2-foot tear will require a substantial welding job since it must withstand up to 300 psi. All missing or broken parts, from rocker arms to ladders, will have to be fabricated because there are no replacements at any price.
Meanwhile, the search for parts and information continues.
“Anything regarding this fire truck is important,” said Billy Thompson, president of White Post Restorations. “A newspaper clipping, an old family picture—even better, of course, would be the whereabouts of another early Robinson.”
He asks that anyone with such information write to him or Greg Cone at White Post Restorations, White Post, Va. 22663, or phone 703-837-1140.
