Blue Coal Fire Engine Restored – The Lackawanna County Commissioners gather in front of the 58-year old coal mine fire engine which was completely restored by Carl Orechovsky, third from left, and put on permanent display at the Lackawanna County Coal Mine Tour. This 14-month project involved a complete overhaul of the car. New wood and a carriage, tank repair, painting, large tank installation, new hose lines and valve work were all a part of the restoration. L-r, Commissioner Patrick M. O’Malley, Commissioner Corey D. O’Brien, Mr. Orechovsky, Commissioner Jim Wansacz and William Davis, the County’s Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation.

A 58-year old coal mine fire engine, which symbolizes the proud, rich industrial and coal history of Lackawanna County, has been completely restored and put on permanent display at the County’s Coal Mine Tour at McDade Park, Scranton.

The refurbishing of the Blue Coal Company Mine Fire Engine Restoration and Preservation project was undertaken as a 14-month labor of love by Carl Orechovsky of Old Forge, who is also a Hoist Engineer and Tour Guide at the Coal Mine Tour.

“Carl Orechovsky has preserved a piece of our history that symbolizes the foundation of our community – trains, railroads and coal.  He did an outstanding job on this project.  It will be a source of great pride for many years to come and a landmark for visitors and residents to enjoy,” said Commissioner Jim Wansacz.

“Carl did a tremendous job on restoring the engine to working order,” said Commissioner Corey D. O’Brien.  “He used his ingenuity to make this project a reality and to put it in a place of honor at the Coal Mine.  This spot is a symbol of what made Lackawanna County such a great place to live, work, raise a family and experience our proud past.”

“I want to personally thank Carl for his efforts.  This project represented his passion for the rail and mine industries and his commitment for keeping our rich history alive,” noted Commissioner Patrick M. O’Malley.

Mr. Orechovsky began this project in April of 2012.  He dissembled the tanks and carriage down to the axles.  All of the wood was replaced with oak, painted and sealed.  All of the metal parts underneath the carriage were restored to working condition or replaced and all were coated with heavy grease.

The cross beams and side beams were joined with four inch mortise and tendent joints and held in place by five cross rods.  The tanks were repaired, sanded, painted and reassembled.  This April, the new box and Nott hose cage were placed on the carriage.

Mr. Orechovsky also had to enlarge the display track at the coal mine to accommodate the newly restored engine.  He added 45 feet of 30 pound rail and six small wooden ties to the park area were the engine rests.

According to Mr. Orechovsky, the twin tanks engine was originally constructed from scrap or spare parts at the car maintenance shop of the Huber Breaker in Ashley around 1955.  It was state-of-the-art in its heyday, featuring brass piping and valves and top-of-the-line hosing.

The two-ton engine was donated to the County’s #190 Slope Mine by the Beltrami Coal Company in 1988.

This chemical engine used baking soda mixed with acid to produce a crude foam that was released through the hoses to fight fires.  A rotating handle was used to control the flow of acid into the baking soda.  Propellers in the tank were used to mix the materials. The foam was passed from a compressor hose in the tanks out to the main hose and nozzle.

Further information on the project can be obtained by contacting Mr. Orechovsky, who is the President of the Old Forge Coal Mine website and Editor for the Anthracite Archives, at [email protected].