West Grove Fire Company's 1928 Hale returned to Station 22 yesterday after a successful multi-year restoration.

Backed into the firehouse by restoration committee chairman Mike Predmore, Antique 22 sits proudly next to Engine 22 on display at the fire company's station on Evergreen Street in West Grove.

Antique 22 was the first mechanical pumper purchased by the WGFC in 1928, and was housed in what today is the company's meeting room along Evergreen Street. It remained in service until approximately 1954, responding as the first-out fire pumper protecting the greater West Grove community for about 25 years. It was sold to make way for a more modern fire truck.

The 1928 Hale was sold to a private party, and was often seen in Chester County-area parades and events during the late 1950's and 1960's, after which it was sold to a farmer from northern Pennsylvania in Tioga County. When he passed away, the WGFC was contacted by his widow, Mrs. Elsie Thorpe, who believed she had a piece of the fire company's history in her barn.

A group of fire company members immediately went up to see the old truck in October of 2005 and brought the Hale pumper back to West Grove, nicknaming the truck "Elsie" in honor of Mrs. Thorpe. The story of Elsie's discovery and history is detailed on the fire company's website at http://wgfc.org/content/antique22/

"Elsie," as she became known, stayed in West Grove for a while as the fire company considered her restoration. A strong belief that Antique 22 was not only a part of the fire company's history, but also that of the community's, the WGFC engaged Halbert E. Fillinger, III, an internationally-recognized restorer of antique fire apparatus, to take on the project of bringing Antique 22 back to her original condition.

Mr. Fillinger's process is very complete, involving the complete dis-assembly of the truck down to its smallest parts, including the frame, body, motor and drive train, and a complete overhaul and restoration of each and every component. It is and was an extensive multi-year process. Due to Mr. Fillinger's expertise, he was able to locate and source a number of parts that should be on a 1928 Hale that were no loner on the truck as it was found in the Thorpe barn -- like the lanterns on the tailboard or the historic bell on top or the hand-crank siren on the dashboard.

"Hal" Fillinger also went the extra mile to create parts where none could be found. For example, Hal researched and then created from raw steel a bumper for the truck to match exactly the missing bumper off of Elsie. He hand cast the Hale license plate found on the front bumper, using the Hale factory's original mold. And there are many other examples of Hal's expertise found all over the historic fire apparatus.

The restoration process concluded with new paint, gold leaf, lettering and lot's of finishing touches, returning Antique 22 to its original glory - similar in every respect possible to what West Grove residents saw when she was delivered brand new from the factor in 1928.

And then she was ready to come home for good...

An all-day journey to pick up Antique 22 began in the rain March 3 as members Mike Predmore, Lary Hicks, Danny O'Connell, Ted Paras, Craig Miller, and Bill Wohl joined with local businessman Earl Hatton to drive to Harleysville, PA to inspect and pickup the Hale pumper. Mr. Hatton generously donated his truck and trailer to bring Elsie home.

Inside Hal's shop, the pickup team was stunned at the beauty and history of Antique 22, and how different she looked from when she left to be restored. An inspection and overview included instructions on how to operate and maintain this historic piece.

And then, almost perfectly, as Elsie was started up and driven out of Hal's shop, the sun broke through the clouds and it was time to load Elsie up on the trailer and bring her home. Portable tools, lights and equipment were removed and stored in Squad 22, and Elsie was strapped securely onto the trailer.

The journey down the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike saw many motorists take a second look, and nearly 90 minutes later, the crew was ready to unload Antique 22 at Station 22's parking lot. In minutes, the crew had replaced all the portable equipment, and Engineer Mike Predmore fired up the old girl, her engine roaring to life, as she backed off the trailer and returned home to West Grove.

Chief Emeritus & WGFC Vice President John Chambers, former President Bill Wohl, Trustee Danny O'Connell and Engineer Mike Predmore were among the first to take Elsie for a short drive on the streets of West Grove, before she was backed into the fire house. All, under a fitting, sunny, clear blue sky that reflected the new paint and chrome, and showed Elsie in her new glory.

The members of the fire company thank Hal Fillinger and his team for their skill and dedication. The WGFC also thanks Earl Hatton for providing transportation of Elsie to and from her restoration.

And the fire company thanks so many residents of the Avon Grove community for donating toward the restoration project. More than $60,000.00 has been raised in donations. Much more is still needed. If you'd like to contribute to Antique 22, you can click on the Donate button on this website found on the wgfc.org homepage, or mail a tax-deductible check to the WGFC, at PO Box 201, West Grove, PA 19390.

The following is a link to a story done about Elsie in the March 9th Daily Local newspaper:

http://dailylocal.com/article/20120309/NEWS01/120309617/1004/west-grove-fire-company-greets-its-antique-beauty