On May 4, 1928, a new Seagrave 750 gpm pumper was purchased and assigned as Engine 12. The price of the new pumper was $12,500. It served the Altadena community until the early 1950s. A windshield was added to Engine 12 following a 1938 law requiring them on all motor vehicles. It was used in Altadena until the 1950s when it ended up going into reserve and then being retired. It was soon after that it was sold at auction. There are a number of years that the history of this rig is lost to us, but she was found in an Antelope Valley gas station and purchased by a Redlands, California Firefighter who did a really nice cosmetic restoration on her.

 It is not an accurate restoration: it is not how the vehicle looked while it was in service with LACoFD, but it is still a very impressive restoration. In 1989 Engine 12 was purchased from the Firefighter by the County of Los Angeles Fire Museum Association. Funds raised from fire department personnel and private donations were used.

In 2000, at age 72, Engine 12 received a complete engine overhaul, by Howard and his brother Paul Schneider, at a cost of $7,000. On New Years Day, 2001, she was featured in the Tournament of Roses Parade, carrying the Mayor of Pasadena and his family on the parade route. This beautiful example of fire service history is one of the Museum’s nicest pieces.

Engine 12’s Specifications

1928 Seagrave Model 6WT
Manufactured in Columbus, Ohio
Engine: 6 cylinders, 1,000+ cu. In. displacement (115 horsepower)
Transmission: 3 forward speeds, one reverse
Top speed: 55 mph
Empty weight: 17,000 pounds