To start, Smithfield's Model 5. The housing on this one has definitely seen better days.
Next, unexpected find #1: a Darley Model 2 (thanks to Ziginox for clearing up the specific model) on Smithfield's original fire station. I never noticed this one before for a rather unusual reason...the siren was down, platform and all, for repainting when Google's street view crew last came through.
Now, we hit Surry's Whelens. First, siren #33, located on Clifton Lane near the north end of VA 10's Smithfield bypass. This one was tricky - it's on a private lane, so zoom was crucial. I'm not sure if this is a 2806 or 2906, but after today I'm leaning 2906. However, I'll keep it listed as a 2806 until someone confirms my suspicions or I can get up close with it.
Next, siren #30, located on VA 10 in Rushmere. This one is across the street from a church...and once again in somebody's yard. Fortunately, this 2806 was a bit easier to photograph without trespassing.
Next, siren #27, located on Mount Ray Drive near a cemetery, not far from VA 10. A stereotypical Surry 2806.
Next, siren #59, another 2806 located off of VA 10 on Bacon's Castle Trail, very close by the historical landmark the road gets its name from. This one sticks out like a sore thumb among the fields surrounding it - if you can't see it from VA 10 you're either blind or not interested in sirens.
Next, siren #24, a 2806 located in the middle of nowhere on Chapel Bottom Road. This one is a bit on the low side.
Now, unexpected find #2: a Model 2 at what was once the town of Surry's municipal building. In contrast to the just-featured 2806, this one is extremely high up for its size.
And, to conclude the Surry portion of the trip, siren #17, a 2906 located on the VA 10/VA 31 multiplex heading out of Surry. This one is next to a house that was abandoned for obvious reasons.
Now, the VFD sirens. First, a 3V8 in Burrowsville.
And, a Model 5 in Petersburg at the Namozine VFD.
Next, we hit Blackstone and their system of two 16V1T-Bs. These big guys are combination storm and fire sirens, and were installed in the summer of 2008. They are tested on the first Monday of the month at 6:00 PM, and also sound for the statewide tornado drill in March. First, the siren on Brown Street in downtown.
And second, the siren at the intersection of VA 40 and 8th Street in the southern part of town.
Blackstone used to have an old decrepit Model 5 at the city garage, but it was removed sometime after the 16V1T-Bs were installed.
Now, the ultimate destination for this trip - Crewe. This sleepy town is home to two 3V8s and a WPS-3016. They aren't tested regularly, but two of them (the 3016 and one of the 3V8s) are used as fire sirens. Forgive me for being such a shutterbug around these - the 3016 is one of my favorite sirens bar none, and finding one in Virginia produces a similar reaction to the one you'd get after handing me $10000 and dropping me off at West Shore Services.
First, the 3016 and the dead 3V8. Both are located at the municipal building.
Second, the active 3V8 at the fire department.
This one, surprisingly, had its housing off and loose on the ground as part of spring maintenance. As a result, I was able to get some close-ups of the ID plate. Yes, that is what you think you are reading. This is the newest siren in town, too!
And finally, unexpected surprise #3: a Model 2 in the sleepy hamlet of Phillips in Chesterfield County.
That's all from this trip. Thanks for reading.
