It was a time of intense development and competition between the manufacturers of fire fighting equipment, with English companies such as Shand Mason and Merryweather trying to out perform each other with their respective products.

If a volunteer company agreed to place itself under the control of the Insurance Brigade's Superintendent at fires, then it would receive assistance, both financially and in terms of the loan of equipment which might include a steam powered pumper.

In 1909 the Annual Report states 'On October 14, Messers T Green and Co., exhibited to the Board a method of conversion of manual engines to petrol motor power, which appears to have much promise'[14] These were mainly used at country stations, however, with the last one being withdrawn from Alstonville in 1931.

A photo of the inauguration event shows the Governor seated in the Big 6, testing the new equipment, with Deputy Chief Officer Gerald Condon standing by.

The Board sought tenders, approaching manufacturers such as Fiat in Italy, American La France, Ahrens Fox of the US and Dennis, Leyland and Merryweather - all of England.

Retired firefighter, Lewis Phillips said that "It was the only one of its kind in Australia ... What makes the Ahrens Fox so unique is that the company in America built it with right-hand drive to suit Australian conditions.

The NSWFB Annual Report for 1929 states: "A new Ahrens-Fox Motor with a pumping capacity of 1000 gallons per minute was installed at Headquarters and has proved its efficiency under actual fire conditions.

"[27][7] In time, the Ahrens Fox was used less for fires and more for displays and training,[24] taking part in a public procession at Auburn on 4 March 1961 and the Parramatta Centenary Celebrations on 26 November 1961.

[7] On 17 September 1963, the Ahrens Fox was approved by the NSW Board of Fire Commissioners for handing over, in full working order, to the Museum of Applied Arts and Science on a permanent loan basis.

Initially, they were recruited from the 30-45 year age bracket and were supplied with a dress uniform consisting of a tunic, skirt, hat, gloves, stockings, shoes, shirt, tie, and lapel badge.

As some weeks have elapsed since the order was placed, enquiries were made from Mr Dunn of the Department [Dept of Emergency Road Transport] and he intimated that all 174" wheelbase chassis have been frozen for construction of Omnibuses'.

The Stores Supply Committee were careful to stress that the quotation submitted by Hastings Deering (A£471/18/0) was tentative only, and subject to confirmation by the Prices Commission, but nevertheless, recommended that an order be placed for the chassis.

After receiving tenders from several companies concerning the construction of the body, the Stores Supply Committee decided to consider carrying out the work in the Brigade workshops.

At a cost of over £1400, the vehicle was completed and tested at the premises of Southwark 7 Vauxhall Westerworks Commission before Sir Saul Samuel, E.C.B, Agent-General for NSW on 1 October 1891.

Both steamers operated so successfully that the Chief Officer of the day, Mr T. Nance, stated in his report "that at the recent fire at George Hudson Ltd, both of these appliances proved their worth and as regards their pumping capacity and reliability are miles ahead of any motor in the service.

In the yard at Headquarters, on the occasion of being presented to the Museum, Big Ben was put through its paces and proved that it was still capable of pumping 5 kilolitres (1,000 imp gal) per minute, something that many of the "new" motorised pumpers could not achieve.

It includes hose carts, pumpers, and ladders, as well as highly specialised vehicles such as a Carbon Dioxide tender, a mobile canteen, a bushfire tanker, a salvage engine and various hydraulic aerial appliances.

Providing evidence of both defunct and more recent technologies, the Heritage Fleet is a rich source for research into the development of fire fighting appliances over some one hundred and fifty years.

[1] As at 16 July 2012, the 1898 Shand Mason Curricle Ladders demonstrate the continuing process of improving and upgrading firefighting equipment and techniques in NSW, in response to the increasing and new demands of a developing and expanding City of Sydney.

[3] With its Braidwood style body, side pumping handles, and its typical layout and design, it is a fine example of a mid-nineteenth century, state-of the-art horse-drawn fire engine.

[3] Research suggests it is one of only five manual fire engines extant in Australia and this, when taking into consideration its integrity and good condition, qualifies it as a rare item.

With such features as a secondary cooling system, a pump which can be operated as two separate units, pneumatic tyres and four wheel brakes, it was unique among NSW Fire Brigades appliances.

[8] The Edward Smith Switchboard demonstrates the progressive process of improving the Brigade's firefighting techniques, equipment, and control in order to cope with the new demands and challenges of a growing and developing City of Sydney.

An example of this is the 1949 Dennis F1 "Scout Car" was the first attempt, by the NSW Fire Brigades, to establish a new standard of body design, incorporating the "safer", internal seating for the crew.

[2] The fabric, design and layout of the appliance provide a fine example of state-of-the-art fire fighting technology of the mid-nineteenth century, in particular manually powered pumping engines.

It was unique among NSWFB vehicles because it incorporates a second cooling system designed to enable pumping for long periods, which allows the operating temperature to be regulated at will.

Built and used for this specific purpose, by the NSW Fire Brigades for some thirty years, its design is based upon that of the WANS mobile canteens of the Second World War.

[2] The appliance is a fine example of a horse-drawn manual fire engine of the mid-nineteenth century and is typical of the designs of such English companies such as Shand Mason, Tilley and Merryweather.

It is outstanding due to its power, capacity and size, as well as the esteem in which firefighting enthusiasts hold this appliance, which is regarded as the "glamour" vehicle of the NSW Fire Brigades.

This is evidenced by, the articles which have appeared in various publications both from within, and independently of, the NSWFB, as well as the maintenance work carried out regularly by volunteers / enthusiasts at the Museum of Fire, Penrith where this vehicle is now located.