Kevin J. Sweeney
1939 Seagrave J series 1200 pumper/hose car
This rig was purchased by the Denver Colorado Fire Department and placed in service as Engine 6 (City Hall Station). From 1939-1951 it operated at almost every fire in the Downtown area. In 1951 a new American LaFrance was purchased for the new Station 6, and the 39 seagrave was refurbished by the city shops and placed into service as Engine 16 in south Denver (near Denver University).
By the early 60s, the Seagrave had seen better days and was replaced by a new Mack and placed in "Reserve". Now a "Reserve Rig" the 39 was moved from station to station, filling in for out of service units. Finally after 30 years of determined service, the Seagrave was placed on the auction block and purchased by the owners of a Denver rental company as a toy. After tiring of they're toy the Seagrave was placed in abandoned storage until found in 1999.
After a long and fun bartering period Kevin struck a deal to purchase the old Seagrave. Kevin had it towed home and took stock of what he had. Kevin was happy to find that all in all the Seagrave was none the worse for wear for 30+ years in storage. Most of the equipment was intact and included such rare items as the Roto Ray light, bell, spotlight, ladder, hard sleeve, and a very rare Baker cellar pipe dated 1895 (still strapped to her side).
Kevin spent the next four months insuring all
the electrical and running gear systems were ok.
Kevin cleaned the engine up as best he could and
started her up. Much to his delight everything went
as planned and the Seagrave ran just like new.
During the winter of 2001-02 Kevin started the large task of restoring Engine 6 to a more original look which he completed in April 2002. The pictures shown are the result of many skinned knuckles.
