Restoring Ottawa Streetcar #696

Front view of OER streetcar #696 in restoration shop

While investigating the whereabouts of the Ottawa streetcar models, I came in contact with some gentlemen from the Ottawa 696/905 Streetcar Restoration Group. They sent me a couple of photos of Ottawa streetcar #696 that they're restoring, and have kindly allowed me to post the pictures here.

Bill McKeown's book, Ottawa's Streetcars, tells me #696 started life as streetcar #633, a 45'-3" vehicle built by the Ottawa Car Manufacturing Company in 1917. In 1927 it was rebuilt and stretched out to 49'-6". It was then renumbered to #696, and remained in service until 1958. Ottawa abandoned its streetcar line in 1959.

Back view of OER streetcar #696 in restoration shop

I'm told restoration was paused in March 2020 due to the pandemic, and, like much else in our society, it's not clear when work will resume.

In the first photo you can see another streetcar body peeking out from behind the right side of #696. That's Ottawa streetcar #905. 

#905 has a similarly long history. It was built in 1933, also by the Ottawa Car Manufacturing Company. A new set of trucks were installed in 1946, and the vehicle remained in service right until the end in 1959.

Car # 696 is looking good. Here's hoping this fascinating project can soon get going again once some semblance of normality returns to life.