The double vertical Fire Engine, manufactured by Shand Mason, was introduced in 1889.
It remained the standard type of horse-drawn fire engine until it was superseded by petrol motor engines (such as our John Morris Belsize).
Our model is one of about 20 built to the original pattern and is one of the most popular 350-gallon size. Steam could be raised from cold water in less than 10 minutes whilst the engine was travelling to a fire.
This particular engine was built in 1896 for use in Haslemere, Surrey and came to us in 2002.
The machine was very kindly donated to the Museum by the Ruddick family in memory of their father, Jonathan Ruddick.