Fire Engines Photos

It is a late 1930's Seagrave tillered aerial ladder. Known as the "Sweet Heart" grille model because of the heart shaped grille. The aerial was steel and hydraulically raised. The tiller's seat would come up out of the ladder so that the ladder could be raised. The tractor has a crew bench behind the driver/officer and in front of the turn table. See the extension behind driver's position.

Added by John Harris on 29 December 2010.

It is a Seagrave Waterfall grill model, and because I can't see any chrome, probably bought during WWII. I would say it is a 100ft., but it might be 85ft. It has the Seagrave J 906ci V-12 engine in it because there are four horizontal bars running down the hood. I have a Roanoke fire fighting book and I seam to remember that there were some Seagrave aerials like this. Give me a minute to check. Where did you take the picture, as I have been to Roanoke many times?

Added by Jeffrey Smoker on 29 December 2010.

Sorry, you are correct John, I was rushing this morning. It is a Sweetheart grill model. The company built the Sweetheart grill from 1935-1944, and a little bit more engine info, it had 240hp. All the Sweetheart grill models came with the big V-12, called the model J. If you are really interested, I would suggest getting the book Firefighting in Roanoke By Rhett Fleitz from Images of America. From this book, it would appear that Roanoke got only one Sweetheart model, this 100ft. Tractor Drawn Aerial with a seven-man Canopy cab. The book states that it first served as ladder 2 at Station 7, then it went to Station 1 as Ladder 1 some time before 1968 when the older Seagrave TDA was getting old and before they purchased the 1968 Seagrave cab-over TDA 100ft. I am pretty sure this is that truck, it just wish I knew the build date and serial for you. Hope this helps!

Added by Jeffrey Smoker on 29 December 2010.

Jeff;
Many thanks for the info on the Roanoke book. It sounds interesting. I learned to tiller on a similar Seagrave - scarry thought.

John Harris

Added by John Harris on 30 December 2010.

You are quite welcome! I always enjoy helping somebody with firetruck research. Good luck on this project.

Added by Jeffrey Smoker on 30 December 2010.

The best book for reference on American fire trucks is called American Fire Engines since from 1900 by Walter McCall. I think it is available from Nynehead Books in Wellington.

Added by Simon Hilliam on 03 January 2011.

I just bought a 1963 Seagrave and can not find any pictures so far, its from Lexington Kentucky, it looks great I would like to find accessories to doll it up, any help would be appreciated.thanks Bob

Added by Bobby Holman on 01 September 2011.

We have a Seagrave pumper just like that one and it's a 1937 with the sweetheart grille and 4 chrome moldings on each side of the hood with a straight six engine and 18 spark plugs.

Added by Bill Watson on 27 April 2012.

I believe this is Roanoke, Va. Ladder 3, a 1941 Seagrve 85' aerial. Seagrave serial: A-6765. I have a slide of it taken in August 1974.

Added by SHAUN RYAN on 20 November 2016.

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