Thunderbolt 1000T Test (Alert) Harper Woods, MI 09-01-07

[whelenmike]

Thunderbolt 1000T Test (Alert) Harper Woods, MI September 1st 2007.

I was hoping to make it out to Northville, MI to catch the soon to be replaced Thunderbolt 1000.

However, work had me playing the 70 rank pipe organ (bigger than a T bolt, LOL) over at St. Judes Church in East Detroit this Saturday, so to kill some time, my girlfriend and I steaked out one of the Thunderbolt 1000Ts in Harper Woods for the first of the month 1pm test.


This one was located just south of Country Club Dr. on the west side of freeway's service drive (Harper Ave). This Thunderbolt had the old CD Civil Defense stickers on it and were a bit faded. Im wondering a ballpark guess (anyone?) of when this siren may have been installed, the city has 2 others just like it. I will try to post some photos of the installation. Sorry for the scratchy audio in spots, its a small ditgital camcorder... still nice to hear the old girl wind up and down. I wonder how much longer she will scream her cry over the Freeway ? (Detroits been on a replacement spree recently)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaFTes_-00Q
Enjoy,

Mike

P.S. Please post comments / Questions on the video if you like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaFTes_-00Q

[EL1998P71]

It would of been mid 60's when this one would of been put up. But without seeing the id tags and under the blower box, it's just a guess/
It's one of three in Harper woods.
I've videotaped the other two, which sound better than this one (I my opinion)
I was at the DFD station at 7 and John R rd. today to video tape the thunderbeam. To my dissapointment, no test. I drove to the t-bolt at 7 and ryan rd. and it hadn't moved either. I know this cause I drove by it friday.

I had talked to the guy who's been replacing the thunderbolts and thunderbeams in detroit with 2001's. He said he didn't know when, but detroit would quit testing the old system soon. I guess today was the day.
Cause I would of at least heard the t-bolt at ryan rd.

While I was waiting to record at the DFD staion, I drove around a bit thru Highland Park. I saw a Highland park police car today. Looked like a used Detroit PD car. Anyway I droce by the old central FD in Highland, And there was a thunderbeam on top.

Well I rambled on a bit. But Whelenmike!, Did you see the fallout shelter sign on St. Jude?

[whelenmike]

Wow, I am glad I did not go for one of the nearby Detroit Sirens...

So I decide to start taping them, and this is the end? (For Detroit Thunderbolts) Bah!


I will have to see if Northville does an October Test with the 1000 now, for sure.

Yes I noticed the sign at St. Judes, in fact I have worked several places where they have the old signs including Fordson High School in Dearborn.

I have some old Civil Defense Barrels from when I worked at Holy Redeemer, in Detroit. I could get ahold of one for you if you want.

Anyways! Thanks,

and if you could jot off on here an off-hand a List of godd / bad Detroit area sirens, that would be interesting. T-bolts primarily. I noticed the one on the Southfield Freeway / Tireman area got the axe,.

Mike

[EL1998P71]

I've been scouring the skies using google earth and 3d maps live to look for sirens. I only found the ones I've seen from the ground. The guy I talked with is Jeff from West Shore Fire Equipment from up near Grand Rapids. He said that they haven't gotten near the I-75 corridor yet. Just from driving around between McNichalos to 8 mile from Redford to Mound Rd. several of the schools have(had) t-bolts on them. Most DFD's have both Thunderbeams and T-bolts.
I'm going to try for the t-bolt at 8 mile and Mack Ave. next month.(grosse pointe woods)

And PM sent.

[jkvernon]

Does anyone know by chance what Northville plans on replacing the 1000 with? It doesn't seem like they have a preference there seeing as how all their sirens are more than 30 years old. I'd figure a 2001 since that's kinda the main choice around there but I wasn't sure.