Leesburg has an interesting ladder truck history.
They purchased a 1938 Seagrave ladder truck in 1966 when they built a new station that could fit a ladder truck. The 1938 was an ex- Cambridge, Maryland truck. Prior to this tiller, the only resemblence to a ladder truck was a 1916 Dodge truck that had its frame extended to be able to carry ladders.
In 1973, the purchased a 100' tiller Seagrave to replace the 1938.
A second station was planned for Leesburg, and the FD was looking at the idea of having a ladder at both stations. So, in 1987 Leesburg purchased a 1971 American LaFrance tiller from Newark, Delaware. There were now two tillers on the roster sitting at one fire station in Leesburg. The American LaFrance was basically a reserve.
In 1992, Leesburg purchased a E\-One 110' rearmount aerial to run as Truck 1. There were now three ladder trucks at one Leesburg station. The company was still considering running a second ladder from a new second station planned for 1998. Ultimately, three ladder trucks was two ladder trucks to many, and Leesburg sold both the 1987 Seagrave tiller and the 1971 American LaFrance tiller to Baltimore City, Maryland.
The 1992 E\-One as been in front line service as Truck 1. During the last several years, they have had numerous problems with it and I believe at this time it is out of service for mechanical reasons. While having problems with their Truck 1, Leesburg was primarily using the Spartan/Smeal 75' quints from either Sterling or Ashburn to fill in.
The new Seagrave tiller was ordered, as the photos show from T-Bone. To prepare for the arrival of the new Seagrave tiller, Leesburg purchased a used 1988 Seagrave tiller that previously saw service in Richmond, Virginia and Washington D.C. (Bklyn Phil's photo). This Seagrave tillers primary role has been driver training, in anticipation for the arrival of the new Seagrave tiller. To my knowledge, it has never been placed into service. In fact, when I photographed the 1987 tiller, the compartments were filled with traffic cones (driver training).
Leesburg ran into a numerous mechanical problems with the 1992 E\-One rearmount. With the tiller on order and two new Seagrave engines on order for Leesburg, Seagrave provided Leesburg a loaner - a 2004 Seagrave Concorde 100' rearmount. Ironically, this Seagrave was an ex- Baltimore City unit.
When the new Seagrave tiller arrives in the very near future, history will once again repeat itself and Leesburg will once again have three ladder trucks - the new tiller, the 1988 Seagrave tiller, and the 1992 E\-One rearmount. The Seagrave loaner will go back to Seagrave and I have been told the 1987 Seagrave training tiller will be sold. Disposition of the 1992 E\-One rearmount is unknown. Prior to all of the mechanical issues, Leesburg was going to keep this truck as a reserve.
I am anxiously awaiting the Seagrave to arrive and have scheduled time for photographs with the department. I am sure this will be one popular truck for apparatus fans.
Mike Sanders
Ashburn, VA
They purchased a 1938 Seagrave ladder truck in 1966 when they built a new station that could fit a ladder truck. The 1938 was an ex- Cambridge, Maryland truck. Prior to this tiller, the only resemblence to a ladder truck was a 1916 Dodge truck that had its frame extended to be able to carry ladders.
In 1973, the purchased a 100' tiller Seagrave to replace the 1938.
A second station was planned for Leesburg, and the FD was looking at the idea of having a ladder at both stations. So, in 1987 Leesburg purchased a 1971 American LaFrance tiller from Newark, Delaware. There were now two tillers on the roster sitting at one fire station in Leesburg. The American LaFrance was basically a reserve.
In 1992, Leesburg purchased a E\-One 110' rearmount aerial to run as Truck 1. There were now three ladder trucks at one Leesburg station. The company was still considering running a second ladder from a new second station planned for 1998. Ultimately, three ladder trucks was two ladder trucks to many, and Leesburg sold both the 1987 Seagrave tiller and the 1971 American LaFrance tiller to Baltimore City, Maryland.
The 1992 E\-One as been in front line service as Truck 1. During the last several years, they have had numerous problems with it and I believe at this time it is out of service for mechanical reasons. While having problems with their Truck 1, Leesburg was primarily using the Spartan/Smeal 75' quints from either Sterling or Ashburn to fill in.
The new Seagrave tiller was ordered, as the photos show from T-Bone. To prepare for the arrival of the new Seagrave tiller, Leesburg purchased a used 1988 Seagrave tiller that previously saw service in Richmond, Virginia and Washington D.C. (Bklyn Phil's photo). This Seagrave tillers primary role has been driver training, in anticipation for the arrival of the new Seagrave tiller. To my knowledge, it has never been placed into service. In fact, when I photographed the 1987 tiller, the compartments were filled with traffic cones (driver training).
Leesburg ran into a numerous mechanical problems with the 1992 E\-One rearmount. With the tiller on order and two new Seagrave engines on order for Leesburg, Seagrave provided Leesburg a loaner - a 2004 Seagrave Concorde 100' rearmount. Ironically, this Seagrave was an ex- Baltimore City unit.
When the new Seagrave tiller arrives in the very near future, history will once again repeat itself and Leesburg will once again have three ladder trucks - the new tiller, the 1988 Seagrave tiller, and the 1992 E\-One rearmount. The Seagrave loaner will go back to Seagrave and I have been told the 1987 Seagrave training tiller will be sold. Disposition of the 1992 E\-One rearmount is unknown. Prior to all of the mechanical issues, Leesburg was going to keep this truck as a reserve.
I am anxiously awaiting the Seagrave to arrive and have scheduled time for photographs with the department. I am sure this will be one popular truck for apparatus fans.
Mike Sanders
Ashburn, VA
Mike Sanders
Winchester, VA
Winchester, VA
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