The Story Behind Route 2's Fire Engine Graveyard

Three members of the Connell family sit outside on the front lawn every day and night. They’re big, red and weigh more than 25,000 pounds each.

Tucked away behind a curtain of pine trees off of Route 2, the three gargantuan fire trucks sit peacefully—in stark contrast to their former careers as fire-killing, life-saving vehicles.

Owned and cared for by Mac Connell and his son, Mac Connell Jr., the three engines are a tribute to the Connell family history and their lifelong careers in the fire department. The father and son duo combined have served 94 years with the .

“[Firefighting] gets in your blood,” Connell said. “[Fire trucks] are basically like a brother. They’re what you’ve worked with forever.”

Each engine is considered to be historic or classic trucks, Connell Jr. said. The Connells together own a 1964 heavy duty rescue squad truck, a 1971 1,000-gallon fire engine or pumper and a 1974 ladder truck. The two men previously had a fourth truck, but recently sold it.

Their mammoth-sized collection of machinery was a long-time coming, too.

“It took us more than 10 years to get the pumper,” Connell Jr. said.

The 52-year-old said after the pumper was decommissioned, Fort Meade’s firefighters used it for training and then before they could purchase it from them, the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department put a bid on it.

“We definitely had to wait to get our hands on it,” Connell Jr. said.

Despite its long journey to the Connells' front yard, the pumper isn’t the favorite. Connell said his preferred engine is the oldest one, the 1964 heavy duty truck.

All three engines in their collection are working fire trucks retired from service. To keep them operable, the Connells said they take each truck out for a spin at the South River High School parking lot and sometimes attend schools for special occasions.

“When we got them, we wanted to take them to parades and let the kids play,” Connell Jr. said. “The kids love just getting up on them and having a great time.”

Only a standard driver’s license is needed to drive the engines. When they were in commission, a Class A license was needed, but now that they’re private property, anyone with a license can drive them, Connell Jr. said.

The third generation of firefighter in the Connell family, Jessica Connell, hopes to soon master the ability to drive the rear steering unit of the ladder truck, a trailer vehicle requiring two drivers, one in the front and one in the back.

Connell said he especially enjoys training people to drive the giant machines. Ever since he suffered a stroke in 2008 and lost feeling in his left foot, Connell has been unable to drive his favorite engine because of its manual transmission. But the 77-year-old is committed to driving it once again.

“My goal is to get out of this wheelchair before I die and walk again,” Connell said as he looked longingly toward his adored heavy duty truck.

Even though their engines only leave the driveway a few times a year, the Connells said the trucks are a big part of their household.

“The trucks are a part of the family,” Connell said. “When they break down, it hurts.”