Nyngan's historic 1925 Garford Fire Engine has been redeployed to the Tamworth Classic Fire Engine Club since last August. Their mission in Tamworth is to lovingly restore the old emergency vehicle. 

On its return, the vehicle's future is to be the centrepiece of Nyngan's Old Fire Station Museum, also currently under renovation.

The Tamworth Classic Fire Engine Club is a community group which aims to improve resilience and the mental well being of all retired emergency service personnel by providing an outlet where they feel welcome and valued.

They have 23 members aged 71-92, all retired fire fighters. Their membership includes panel beaters, mechanics, and carpenters and they have put their skills to use restoring eight historic fire engines - the Garford engine is their current labour of love.

Four members of the club visited Nyngan last year to have a close inspection of the vintage engine which was in definite need of some love and care.

The visit was arranged by Nyngan Fire Brigade captain Rob Avard. Mr Avard had heard the restoration enthusiasts from a former Nyngan Fire Brigade member, and liaised with Bogan Shire Council Mayor Glen Neill to have them look at it. No-one was more pleased to meet them than Nyngan historian and honorary custodian of the Garford, Keith White.

Last week, Mr Neill made the trip to the Tamworth workshop to check on the progress of the restoration.

According to the Mayor, the old engine started and - ran like a “Swiss clock". Mr Neill reported that most of the panels had also been painted and were ready for re-assembly.

Mayor Neill acknowledged the work of local historian Keith White who lobbied for the restoration for many years, and Nyngan Fire and Rescue captain, Rob Avard, who helped arrange for the work to be done.

The Garford engine was once a common sight around Nyngan and was given to the Nyngan community by the Marr family, formerly of “Illabunda.” The late Jim Marr purchased the engine after it was decommissioned by the Nyngan Fire Brigade in 1963, having spent 20 years in the district.

The restoration of the Garford is part of a Bogan Shire Council project to create a fire and rescue museum in the former NSW Fire Brigade building in Cobar Street. The building has recently had some internal renovations including a new kitchenette, bathroom and office space.

The engine is expected to be back in Nyngan by this September.