Sanatoga Unit 58-81

06/11/2026

A huge thank you to the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society for inviting us to be part of the Strawberry Festival.

We had the opportunity to spend the day talking with some wonderful visitors, sharing stories, answering questions, and hearing memories from people who remembered 58-81 from her years in service.

It was great to see so much interest in the project and to share a little piece of local history with the community.

We would also like to thank everyone who stopped by, shared a story, asked a question, or made a donation during the festival. We are already putting those donations to work and look forward to showing you what they helped make possible.

The support and enthusiasm for 58-81 was incredible to see.

Keep an eye out for our next post — a behind-the-scenes look at the final push to get 58-81 ready for the Strawberry Festival.

06/06/2026

Looking for something to do on a beautiful Saturday? We are extremely excited to be at the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society Strawberry Festival! This is our first public event since the Emergency Van's return to Sanatoga!

06/02/2026

Ripe, delicious strawberries return June 6 to Sanatoga Chapel on East High Street. Enjoy them at Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society Strawberry Festival.

05/24/2026

05/19/2026

First Bath in 12 Years!

Last night, several of our fellow firefighters came out to help give 58-81 a well-deserved bath! Her first real cleanup since coming home.

After months of hard work, we are proud to announce that 58-81 has been invited to the Strawberry Festival at the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society. This will be her first public appearance in over 25 years since retirement.

Come out, see the progress for yourself, and help support our local historical society. 🚒🍓

05/10/2026

Please stand by progress in motion!

We didn’t forget about you.
The brakes, however, seem to have forgotten how to be brakes. We are still tracking down the right parts to get everything working the way it should.

In the meantime please enjoy the newest additions!

We were donated a gumball light a few weeks ago, we were able to find a red lens for it.

We found a period correct siren that is very close if not the exact model that was originally installed in her.

And one last thing to finish off the roof decor once we get the roof panel repaired. A matching pair of Period correct whip antenna.

While we wait for a breakthrough on the brake project we started on cleaning up the original sirens. Washed polished and rewired.

04/07/2026

She RUNS.

One random evening, all the right pieces fell into place.

The right people.
The right timing.
No plan for it to happen that night — but it did.

She started. And she RAN.

For the first time in 12 years — not only does she run, she moves under her own power.

Several members spent the evening working through the last of the loose ends. We finished the fuel lines, reinstalled the carburetor, and tracked down the issue that was causing the no-spark condition.

A special thank you to Ken Linsenbigler for sharing his time and experience — helping rebuild the carburetor and diagnose the ignition issue. Ken is currently the Chief Engineer for Sanatoga Fire Company, and he was a member when 58-81 was still in service.

He was one of the last members to drive her.
It is only fitting that he be the first one behind the wheel for her maiden voyage.

Without his help, 58-81 would not be where she is today.

We are not done yet.

There are still new front brake lines to finish, and the rear brakes need to be gone through. Now that she is running, we have also discovered the radiator will need to be rebuilt, along with a new water pump and thermostat.

But for now — SHE RUNS.

04/07/2026

EXCITING NEWS!
Sneak peek… story at 5!

03/26/2026

The weather is getting nicer and we are getting excited!!

Daydreaming about her running down the road. This round? Brakes! Out with the old, in with the new! New wheel cylinders, New hardware and New pads. We tried to fix the brake lines but unfortunately they decided to misbehave. One hardline snapped right inside the frame. On top of that the rubber lines we ordered came up short … 6 inches too short. We know - That is just one of those things that happen with projects like this. No biggie we ordered new ones and with some luck they will arrive soon and be the right length.

In the meantime we were super stoked that one of the OG was willing and able to give us their expertise and work on the carb rebuild for us.