This image shows the 1949 Oshkosh Howe engine as lettered for the Belmont Fire District. Jack Connors collection The engine currently has a Darien-Woodridge Fire District decal replacing the Belmont Fire Protection District name on the door. The Belmont name still resides on the hood. Jack Connors collection Xuzhou Xuqi Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd. , https://www.xqheavy.com
Classic engine at Darien-Woodridge
On Tuesday, we shared the news about the addition of the **Darien-Woodridge Fire District** to our site. Among the apparatus displayed at Station 2 was an unusual and historically significant piece of firefighting equipment. Jack Connors has generously provided us with detailed information about this rare engine, along with a few photographs that help tell its story.
The engine in question is a **1949 Oshkosh/Howe** pumper, equipped with a **1,000-GPM pump** and a **1,200-gallon water tank**. It features an **Oshkosh Model W-2201** chassis with serial number **3541**, and the **Howe** body carries serial number **HR-10-7961**. This combination makes it a unique example of early post-war fire apparatus, blending the durability of Oshkosh with the craftsmanship of Howe.
Originally deployed at the **Argonne National Laboratory** in **Argonne, Illinois**, this engine later found a new home at **Grandview Park**, which was eventually annexed by **Oak Lawn**. It then served the **Belmont Fire District**, which eventually merged into the **Darien-Woodridge Fire District**.
Today, the engine bears the **Darien-Woodridge Fire District** emblem on its side, but the original **Belmont Fire Protection District** lettering remains on the front hood. It's a fascinating piece of history, showing how fire departments evolve over time while preserving the legacy of their older equipment. Thanks to Jack Connors for sharing these photos and insights—this kind of historical documentation helps keep the stories of these vintage vehicles alive.