Just about everybody loves old fire engines, but most people aren’t in a position to collect them. In this episode of Visiting, Huell has a real adventure when he meets a dedicated collector living in Shadow Hills (a northeast suburb of Los Angeles) and explores the historic firefighting equipment that would later be put on display in the LA Fire Department museum. Old Engine Company No. 27 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, and it appeared in many Hollywood movies even while it was an active fire station. It’s a beautiful old building, lovingly restored after being damaged by the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The story of Joe’s collection was also related in an issue of the Los Angeles Daily News from 2009, updated in 2017.

If you’ve ever wondered where old fire trucks go when they retire, here’s the show for you. Joe Ortiz (a retired fireman) has collected one of the largest collections of antique and modern firefighting equipment around. Huell goes to Joe’s house in Shadow Hills for a personal tour and a very special ride in the back of a hook and ladder.

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)