Ottawa Streetcar 696 Restoration Group.

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November 4, 2004
=================

The Project continues to move ahead, and volunteers continue to join the
restoration team.

On Saturday Oct 23rd a group of volunteers visited the CRHA Museum in
Delson, Quebec, where we were given a tour through many of the closed
buildings and were able to view the ex-Ottawa streecars in their collection.
We toured the restoration shop where MTC car 1959 was in the final stages of
a complete rebuild, were given many pointers on the pitfalls that could lie
ahead of us, and learned how the CRHA team found solutions. We discovered a
home made mobile crane that was being used to lift the truck traction
motors, and took pictures to assist us in designing one for our project.
Hopefully we will have our own traveling gantry type dolly in the near
future - just in time for removing the motors from our truck frames.

In 805 Belfast work continues on the dismantling of the trucks. Through the
application of copious amounts of "releasal" and the use of a number of
large "persuaders" most of the bolts have been loosened in preparation for
the removal of the traction motors from the truck frame. Construction of our
own gantry will relieve us of dependence on OC Transpo lifting equipment.

In the streetcar shed the new frame is taking shape. Drilling holes for hot
rivets continues and is at a point where side reinforcing brackets are being
integrated with the side panels. As well, fabrication of the front cross
frame has started, so many of the critical skeletal pieces now are in
production. 

The Project volunteers manned a booth at the recent Railfare weekend,
providing information to attendees and collecting donations from the public.
The sale of Tee shirts, videos and booklets brought in over $620.00 which
was deposited into our bank account and put to immediate use to satisfy an
outstanding invoice. Many thanks to Mike M, Mike K, J.P., Georg R, Fred R
and Pete J who gave up most of both their Saturday and Sunday. The amount
raised was the most we have ever collected at one event!

We now have received a quantity of embroidered crests, gray/silver in
colour, that are available for the sum of $5.00. They will be offered to
volunteers and the public at large, and should prove very popular. 

Lastly, everyone is reminded that this is their project and that at the last
general meeting we asked members to search for new sponsors. The PowerPoint
package promoting the 696 project is almost completed, and will be made
available at no cost for members use.

Barry Thomas
Transit Services -Emergency Preparedness Coordinator 
Operational Training & Loss Management
Departmental Business & Technical Services
Public Works and Services - City of Ottawa
(613)  842-3636 ext 2222,  Fax: (613) 742-7359
Cell: (613) 913-5091   Mail Code 17-643
e-mail:  Barry.Thomas@ottawa.ca


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Tue, 20 Jul 2004  
=================
    
Just a short note that the Citizen's news article on the Rescue of 
Streetcar 905 is attached for your information. I know some of you did not have a
chance to see it on Jul 16th. It is a wonderful find. Come out Wednesday
night and we will likely have it open for airing it out. This is the 
last Wednesday we will be working on Streetcar till Wednesday Sept 8th, 2004 
as we will break for the summer.

After our Summer break we will be having a general meeting at the OC 
Transpo Admin Office, Commission Boardroom, 1500 St Laurent Blvd. at 6:30 pm,
Wednesday Sept 8th, 2004. Note the day and time and please advise if 
you can attend so we can gauge the food requirements. 

Don't worry about supper as the group will be providing food supplied 
by our great Ottawa business supporter Dave Smith, the owner of   Nate's Next 
Door, located at 320 Rideau at Nelson. Dave always serves up a good meal and 
so I hope everyone can make the time to come out. It will give everyone a 
chance to get caught up on the latest developments within the Streetcar 
Restoration Project and see where we are going with the 696 Streetcar project.   


Barry Thomas - 696 Project Coordinator
City of Ottawa - Dept of Public Works 
and Services - Transit Services Branch
Emergency Planning and Response Coordinator
(613)  842-3636 ext 2222,  Fax: (613) 742-7359
e-mail:  Barry.Thomas@ottawa.ca  Mail Code 17-643


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Subject: Streetcar 696 RestorationProject Update 1 June 2004 
Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2004 11:47:17
      
 
Just a short update on some recent developments and upcoming Open 
House.

(1) Open Door Session - Saturday - June 5th, 2004 - 1000-1600 hrs.

A small group of us have been working behind the scenes to get the shed 
and Streetcar 696 ready for an open house on Saturday, June 5th between
1000-1600 hours. We will be purchasing food and drinks for a BBQ to see 
if we can make a profit, if the general public turn out to see the 
Streetcar and other vintage OC Transpo buses on display. There will also be 
Transit Control Centre tours every half hour. We will have the Streetcar on 
display, with our vintage streetcar pictures, video and T-Shirts as well. We 
have made up Company logos to show the public who is backing this heritage
project on their behalf. In the event of rain we have a tent to protect 
our tables and BBQ. We will be setting up the four or five vintage and new 
buses on display to lead visitors to the 696 shed from the main parking lot.   

I have only heard back from a few of the volunteers that they are 
coming. We have about 9 volunteers committed but if others can drop in and spell 
others off during the day it would be better for everyone. The volunteers will 
be starting at 0800 hours to set up and stage items and the doors will 
shut down at 1600 hrs. 

Please consider coming out and helping out. Don't leave it to a few to 
do all the work. Take pride in what you have been doing to restore the old
Streetcar and show it off and tell the visitors what we are planning to
accomplish with everyone's hard Labour and local business support. This 
is the only public event we have had and the more the public knows about 
this project the better it will expand and grow. No one has to stay all day, 
even a few hours will be sufficient. Also pass the word to your neighbors 
and friends who have wondered where you have been going every Wednesday 
night.

Pass the word to our Business sponsors as well and tell them to come 
out with the family members to see the progress we have been able to make 
in the past year. Everyone is welcome!  This is a City of Ottawa day and it is
advertised in the news papers so we can usually expect about 200 plus 
people to attend. The stories I am sure we will hear from visitors recalling 
the old days will be priceless. 


Project Developments:

(2) Trucks and Motors Ready for Work Team to Start:

The 696 Trucks and Motors have been placed inside an OC Transpo 
building and are ready for restoration work to begin. Malcolm Whittal has reviewed 
the trucks and they look in better shape than earlier believed. OC Transpo
provided the group with a large tow truck and it was perfect for 
placing the 6.5 ton trucks inside the garage for future work. Again we did it with 
no cost thanks to our collective sponsors!  

We are now ready to get a team of interested volunteers together to 
work on the motors. If interested contact me and we can arrange to get those
interested together and pick a time when we can meet to work out a work
schedule. This group can work independently of the Wednesday night if 
it their wish. 


(3) NRC Working on 696 Streetcar Air Compressor:

Our National Research Council sponsor has advised that they have 
started restoration of the large main air compressor. Upon stripping it down it 
was found to be good shape after all those years outside in Montreal. They 
will work on getting the compressor back to running condition over the next
months. 

(4) Summer Work Schedule:

As it is summer time and we all have family commitments and holidays, 
it has been decided that the 696 Restoration volunteers will meet on Wednesday
night only until July 21st. Then we will shut down meeting on Wednesday
nights till Sept 8th, 2004. Anyone who wishes to continue on a project 
can do so but the main work session night will be cancelled. The two man 
rule will still apply whenever you are in the buildings. 

That is all. Hope to see you all Wednesday night to set up our displays.



Barry Thomas - 696 Project Coordinator
City of Ottawa - Dept of Public Works 
and Services - Transit Services Branch
Emergency Planning and Response Coordinator
(613)  842-3636 ext 2222,  Fax: (613) 742-7359
e-mail:  Barry.Thomas@ottawa.ca  Mail Code 17-643


 

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Subject: Streetcar 696 Project Update - May 2004  
Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 08:11:59 -0400 
      
 


Hello to Everyone

The last month has seen the volunteers drilling and fastening the steel 
worktogether for the new under-frame in the 696 Streetcar Shed. Rivet holes 
on the side rails and bottom side plates have been drilled and both pieces
attached. Now the team consisting of Guy and George Hollinworth, Bill
Giguere, Georg Rubli, Jim Stitt, Mike Mueller  and Rheaume Laplante are 
busy attaching the floor cross members. Sebastien Landry has been busy doing 
CAD drawing of the truck boosters and cab frame while Alex McConnor, one of 
our wood carpenters has been making wooden templates for the front cab 
windows and support posts. Gerry Robinson has been impressing the volunteers on 
how he can clean up dirty brass seat handles and controller contact strips 
to look like they just came out of the shop in 1917. Other volunteers have 
been selecting rusty parts for the OC Transpo blasting machine, then giving 
them a coat of paint so they look like new. As a result the storage shelves 
are starting to look like the Project has new Streetcar parts coming in.
Meanwhile Steve Heidemann and JP Dosaler have been reviewing material 
held in the OC  Transpo archive vault for any useful streetcar documents or
pictures. They have found a few treasures. 

Ken Glover of Loucon Metal Ltd continues to supply the metal sheets and
other steel work that is allowing us to restore the Streetcar at such a 
good pace. Since Ken agree to supply the steel for the project, the price of
steel has doubled yet he is still a keen sponsor. His backing is really
helping to speed up this restoration and keeping the costs down. .

Another long time supporter of the restoration project, Tim Priddle of 
the Wood Source in Manotick continues to supply wood, plywood and other 
products whenever Mike Mueller calls. As well Valley Hardware's Peter Stevens is
still a valuable backer of the project and supplying necessary bolts,
rivets, screws and drills whenever we are in need of supplies.   

Rick Zaporzan of NCR advised last week that their company team is now
preparing to refurnish the original air compressor that 696 used. The 
NCR is photographing everything and the work should take about two months. 
This 600 lb air compressor was one of the larger restoration items that has to 
been undertaken. Again with Company sponsors we are making large steps 
forward in getting Streetcar 696 back together in original condition.

I have been delayed in getting the Streetcar 696 trucks and motors 
inside for work to begin. Both trucks and motors are still outside pending 
getting a way to lift them inside for shop repairs to begin. Lifting the sixand 
half ton trucks inside should be done in the next two weeks and then a team 
under the direction of Malcolm Whittall and Georg Rubli will start to restore 
the trucks and electrical motors. Again OC Transpo has provided the 
restoration group space in one of its garages at 805 Belfast Road, which is a hugh 
bonus for this type of work, as it will be dry, and the team will have air 
and electricity for their tools.  

A new volunteer to the group, Walter Weart has just finished writing an
article for The Trains Magazine on the restoration of 696 Streetcar. He 
will be writing several other magazine articles to let everyone know the
Streetcar 696 group is alive and restoring an Ottawa Car Streetcar. 
Walter is also interested in helping the 696 project reach its final goal by
volunteering his services in writing up any documents/submissions 
needed for the Project to apply for grant money. This represents another direction 
the Streetcar group will explore in its mission to restore Streetcar 696 to 
full operational use. Walter has had previous experience with several US
Streetcar restoration groups and his expertise and help in the area of
raising much need funds is welcome. A side effect is the group will 
have to become more formal in our internal reporting structure but the goal of 
the project will not change. I think this new development just shows that 
the 696 Project group has matured and reached another phrase in its 
restoration of the Streetcar.

Mike Kostiuk, Jean Pierre Dostaler, and Arroyo-Toores Santiago (Known 
as Chico) all worked the May 30th weekend at the Ottawa Central Railway 
Open House to make the public aware of the Restoration Project and sell fund
raising items. Mike also been attending  other Railway and Transport 
2000 functions to boost the 696 project and raise funds. 

I must say that my work as the Project Coordinator has been made easier 
with the assistance and support of all the Streetcar 696 Volunteers and 
Company supporters. The change in the project over the past two years has been
remarkable. I have seen the small group of about five volunteers grow 
now to over forty-five. Add the manpower we now have to the solid support 
given by our Ottawa business sponsors and it is little wonder we are seeing the
Streetcar body work moving ahead so quickly. Like a rolling stone going
downhill, the Streetcar 696 project is also gathering speed. 

The pace in the coming weeks will not decline. The group will likely 
finish the floor cross members by the end of May and then we may hold a 
special Saturday work Session to learn and practice how to "hot" rivet". Then 
we can join the frame and side wall plates permanently together. 

Other news is that Peter Joyce has recently made up a T-shirt with the
Streetcar 696 Restoration crest on it. The T-shirts are red
with a black and white crest and $17.50 for most sizes up to XXL. After 
that they are $19.50. They are distinct and hopefully will be a hit with the
public and volunteers. 

Last but not least on Saturday the 5th of June 2004, the 696 Restoration
group is teaming up with OC  Transpo and the City of Ottawa to host  an
"Open Doors Day".  On that date the public will be encouraged to visit 
the Streetcar 696 facility to see the project's progress along with a 
display of OC Transpo's vintage buses and take a tour of its Transit Control 
Centre. As usual for such an event we could use all the help of our 696 volunteers 
we can get to make it a success. 

This open house will be an perfect opportunity for the group to high 
light the work on the Streetcar, show our historial Streetcar pictures and 
raise funds. The group will also be manning a BBQ for the occasion and any 
profits go to the Streetcar project. It would be an ideal time for all those 
that have been involved with the Streetcar 696 project over the past three 
years to return, and bring your families. There will be lots to see and the
volunteers can meet and talk with some of the business sponsors. 

If anyone is interested in helping out that day please contact me at
842-3636, extension 2222. 

Barry Thomas 696 Streetcar Project Coordinator. 
City of Ottawa - Transit Services 
Emergency Planning and Response Coordinator
(613)  842-3636 ext 2222,  Fax: (613) 742-7359
e-mail:  Barry.Thomas@ottawa.ca  Mail Code 17-643


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News Update on Streetcar 696 Restoration Project Feb 9, 2004 
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2004 14:45:44 -0500  
      
Just a quick update on the steady progress of the 696 Streetcar 
Project.

News:
Since our last update in December 2003 the work crew has carefully 
removed the front cab portion of the Streetcar and kept it for restoration. 
With the front cab removed the streetcar was then raised and lowered onto 
"wheeled dollies" that the OC Transpo mechanic used to move buses about with. 
Then the work crew easily pushed the streetcar sideways to make room for the 
new under frame that needs to be constructed. Not satisfied with the move 
of the car to the South side of the shed, the team on January 28th again moved 
the streetcar over to the North side of the shed. Since then the project 
team has started to set up a template jig to lay out the new framework and
cleaned up the shed to increase our working space. 

Lou-con metal has been asked to fabricate several frame pieces and
cross-members. When these are completed the frame will be assembled. A 
new welding plug has been installed to assist with this work and a new air
compressor was obtained and installed in the shop. The old air 
compressors and other items that we were not using have been moved from the shed 
and this gives us room to start work at the front in the coming weeks. 

With the metal side of the project running we are now going to start 
several wood working projects and three new skilled carpenters have volunteered 
to assist with the project. They will be attending Wednesday the 11th to
develop a plan on what projects to start. Wood projects that will keep 
pace with the metal workers plus involve every volunteer who attends the
Wednesday night sessions will be considered. As well Sub-Project team
managers will also be selected in the coming weeks as our volunteer 
work crew has grown considerably and it is now time to split up tasks. 

With so many changes occurring in the restoration project and with the
growth of the volunteers work base, we will be holding a general 
meeting on February 25th, at 7 pm in the OC Transpo Commission Boardroom. We will 
set up sub project groups to work on  tasks and discuss the need for an
additional work session and what day of the week would be best. We will 
also pick a date to visit the Bytown Restoration Group to see what they are
working on and exchange ideas. 

Please note the change in where the general meeting will be held on the
25th. Originally we were thinking of meeting at the Police Association 
Club, however several members advised they would be unable to attend due to
limited transportation. For this reason the project group will gather 
at the normal OC Transpo boardroom. 

The interest in this streetcar project continues to grow and expand. I 
was invited to meet with Mrs Holly Layte, of the Marvellous Mustard Shop on
Sparks Street last week to discuss how the Sparks Street Mall Merchants
could help the restoration project. Discussion centred around how both
parties could best combine our energies to complete the restoration 
project as well as explore ways to see where and how the completed streetcar 
could be used to benefit the downtown mall group in attracting the public and
tourists downtown. The Centre town group will be meeting on the 17th to
further discuss the Streetcar 696 project and to increase everyone's
interest in getting a restored streetcar operational and running in 
Ottawa.

 
Project February Work Schedule.

On Wednesdays the 11th and 18th of February it will be normal working
nights, setting up metal frame jig, selecting wood projects to 
complete, and
setting up work teams. The General Meeting will occur on Wednesday the 
25th,

Barry Thomas
City of Ottawa - Transit Services 
Emergency Planning and Response Coordinator
(613)  842-3636 ext 2222,  Fax: (613) 742-7359
e-mail:  Barry.Thomas@ottawa.ca  Mail Code 17-643


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Streetcar 696 Restoration Progress Report January 2004 
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 13:09:16 -0500 
   

Welcome to 2004 Everyone!

Just a short note on what has been happening at the Streetcar 696
Restoration Shed since last December. Since we got back to work on he
Streetcar Jan 7th, we have removed the complete front cab area and
supporting structure. On Jan 7th we had 12 volunteers all over the car 
and it took the energy of all of us to remove the upper cab superstructure.
Sparks were a flying and the welding tanks ran out of gas! Boy we know 
they built these old streetcars to last. Again on Jan 14th, the same 
volunteers worked on removing the rivets holding the front floor beams on the 
streetcar frame. It was hard work but we were eventually successful in removing 
the support beams. This recent work now means we can now proceed to move 
the Streetcar about three feet sideways. This movement will allow the group 
to reconstruct a new solid frame to rebuild the remainder of the streetcar 
on along side the original 696 and make restoration easier. 

Tonight the group of volunteers will finish by jacking up the 
Streetcar, to put it on wheeled supports. Once on the new supports we can move the
complete streetcar sideways inside the shop. We will record this 
movement on video as it is a big step forward in our restoration efforts!. After 
this move is complete, we will be start rebuilding Streetcar 696 instead of
removing pieces to get at another area for restoration. We will also be 
able to start the wood restoration project associated with the front cab 
area.  

Since the Newspaper article appeared on the Streetcar restoration group 
we have been joined by four new volunteers, several with good metal and
mechanical experience. This has greatly helped up make more progress on 
the car as noted above. In addition, the National Research Council (NRC) 
came over and after seeing the project decided to become a sponsor and 
volunteer group to assist us. The NCR is going to start in on the project by
rebuilding the large air compressor and assist with CAD work. Loucon 
Metal has been active as well by supplying us with metal beams to use in
supporting the car when we move it sideways and will help with 
rebuilding the frame next. As well as new volunteers and new company supporters 
coming on line several people have purchased our promotional video, called to
donate an original 1940 Streetcar Seat, or give us an 1930 antique Cash 
box. 

Still others have called to offer us old pictures they have been handed 
down of the Streetcar era that were not previously known to exist. One 
gentleman called and offered us an opportunity to look at a 1904-05 book on 
Streetcars and which will likely assist us in rebuilding areas of the streetcar. 
As you can see the project is moving ahead with increase speed and direction 
than before. I expect as we start to have the new framework being assembled 
and people can see new elements added to the Streetcar that more volunteers 
and companies will join. 

One of our new volunteers has been active in the community and 
approached Farm Boy and Canadian Tire to assist both as a sponsor and to assist  
in selling our fund raising video. This area looks promising and I hope to
confirm their involvement next time I report. TFO and the local 
newspaper "CenterPoint" have both expressed an interest in the Streetcar and this
continued interest will assist with the public being more supportive 
towards the group's effects. 

As I always say as the Project Manager, since everyone involved is a
volunteer then I can't scold you if you don't come out to the working
sessions on Wednesdays. However I do think many of you would be amazed 
at the progress made with the the Streetcar since most of you last saw her 
in December. Please think of coming out and helping. Even if it just to 
stay for a short time. 

In particular this Wednesday we will be pushing the streetcar sideways.
Everyone is more than welcome to come and give the project a little 
push!. We also need some more volunteers interested in carpentry work 
rebuilding the wooden support pillars on the front and back of the streetcar. Now 
that we have the metal work proceeding smoothly we will have wood working
projects to start. If anyone knows of any retired carpenters interested 
in trying their skills on these key supports posts have them to call me or
bring them to a Wednesday night session to see the project.  

That is all for now. Hope to see everyone in the weeks to come and 
remember with every one of you giving a little of your time we will definitely 
have Streetcar 696 back on the track soon for the benefit and enjoyment of 
both Ottawa's citizens and tourists. If you don't believe me just come out 
and see the progress we have made in the last two months!. 

Barry Thomas
City of Ottawa - Transit Services 
Emergency Planning and Response Coordinator
(613)  842-3636 ext 2222,  Fax: (613) 742-7359
e-mail:  Barry.Thomas@ottawa.ca  Mail Code 17-643

*********************

Streetcar 696 Restoration Progress Report PART 2 January 2004 
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 08:57:38 -0500 
      

As an update to my earlier email yesterday I just wanted to advise of 
two new developments in the last 24 hours. First: Last night we had 15
volunteers in last night and in only 45 minutes we jacked up Streetcar 
696, then lowered it onto wheeled dollies, and with everyone giving it a 
push on it's side, easily rolled the streetcar three feet sideways like it 
weighed nothing!! It was likely the first time an Ottawa Streetcar was moving
sideways legally on wheels in Ottawa since  the 50's. As we figured no 
one would believe that we moved the car sideways inside our little shop 
without the aid of cranes etc that we had the movements video taped. As some of 
the volunteers later said, this is a real unique project, as they had never
moved a streetcar by hand before or been trusted to be part of a group 
doing such a heavy lift task either. Everyone had a good time and we had a 
group picture to mark the occasion and milestone in the project. Again I wish 
to thank all those volunteers that came out and gave a that little extra 
push to the project last night. From the laughs on the video I know everyone 
had a good time and each of you made me a believer by showing me it didn't 
tip over when "we" moved it ourselves.  

Now the group is ready and has the spare working space to start
re-fabrication of the new steel frame, which will support the old
superstructure as we rebuild the car. We have made a huge step in the 
696 restoration project as we are now rebuilding, instead of mostly 
removing and documenting pieces to make CAD drawings for later. Instead we will now 
be bringing material into the shop to rebuild Streetcar 696 again. For 
future work we moved the Streetcar Air Compressor into position to move it to 
NRC for work and Loucom metal will be tasked shortly with requests for new 
metal pieces for the project. In the next few weeks a team will start to lay 
out the groundwork for the new framework, with another volunteer team 
removing rivets so pieces can be either rebuild or cleaned up and moved to the 
new assembly.    

Also just this Thursday morning I received a note from Phil Jago, 
feature editor of the Branchline Newsmagazine. It publishes 11 times a year and 
is read Nationally. Phil will be writing about the Streetcar 696 Project's
project in the next edition. This was a welcome  surprise as it appears 
this project is becoming more and more noticeable in Ottawa. With 
Branchline's interest in our progress who knows what will develop from Branchline's
readers learning about our Heritage Project. I am sure many might have 
items in their basements or sheds that we could use to restore 696 with. 

As you can see the project is growing in all directions and getting 
larger in scope which is only because of the calibre of and interest of all 
our volunteers and company sponsors. That is all for now and I will try to
provide an update each month in the future.  

Barry Thomas
City of Ottawa - Transit Services 
Emergency Planning and Response Coordinator
(613)  842-3636 ext 2222,  Fax: (613) 742-7359
e-mail:  Barry.Thomas@ottawa.ca  Mail Code 17-643


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