"Truck"ing with (the way he spells it) Georg

One of the two trucks being moved from the 696 shop to 805 Belfast Road. Photo: Barry Thomas Collection

One of the two Brill 27-FE-1 trucks from OTC 696.

Georg like me, chose a specific job.  He took up the task of rebuilding 696's two(Brill 27-FE-1) trucks.  But unlike me, he was for some unknown reason, banished to another part of the OC Transpo empire, 805 Belfast Road.

Georg's sea container "shop" came equipped with labour! Please don't tell the folks at Citizenship and Immigration Canada .

Over the years, perhaps because of good behaviour he has been allowed to move closer to the rest of the group, first to a sea container outside  our car barn, then finally after his full rehabilitation, into the car barn with the rest of us!

Georg and his truck (frame) has moved in with the rest of the group.

The truth is I do not know why the trucks went to one building and the car body to another, my guess is lack of space in the car barn.  I will find out and add to this chapter later.

 ** I asked Georg and he confirmed, the trucks were sent to 805 Belfast because of lack of working space at the car barn.  This was confirmed by Barry Thomas as well...but I like my version of the story better...sigh!.**

As one can see from the first photo the trucks were in a dire need of a rebuild, the wheels are in fairly good shape but do have chips.  The motors have been sent out to Grant Electric but the shop was closed and the motors were returned to us unfortunately missing a few parts.  We may have to find replacements motors, I will let the readers know what action will be taken when the time comes.

Jim and Georg installing truck bolster to truck                                                                                Photos by Bruce Dudley

If you are thinking that man taped to the lawn chair sure looks like Jim...you would be correct.  Long story, I could write a whole new blog on the "adventures of Jim" but I digress.

Here is a better view of the side frame with elliptical, coil springs and the pedestal wear plates installed  Photo by Bruce Dudley

Georg first had to disassemble the trucks, clean and paint the components.  All the springs had to be rebuilt then re-installed.  The pair of elliptical spring were very difficult to install but Georg managed to find a way to compress them and with the aid of Jim, they were able to set them in place.

Inside view of the elliptical springs and the coil springs. Thanks to Malmberg Truck Trailer Equipment Ltd for rebuilding the actual springs.

Two brake beams being readied to be installed on the truck.

We were able to pick 8 brasses from the Halton County Radial Rly.  These brasses are the correct size for the journals on 696 but have extra protrusions which had to be milled off.  The milling machine given to us also by Halton, first had to be fixed (you guessed it...) by Georg before he could do the work on the brasses.

Next on the list for Georg is to install the journal boxes and wheel sets then it is back to square one, rebuilding the second truck.

People Profile I : Gilles and Kevin Lafreniere

Sometimes too much emphasis is placed on objects or projects and not enough on the people involved, therefore I decided that every so often I would profile the gals and guys who have been involved in the 696 Project.  The order in which these personal profiles appear are totally random. To be included in the People Profile, the person selected had to been involved in the 696 Project post 2005, secondly I would have to have a good photo of them.  (Jim, don't hold your breath!)

So the first name to be drawn from the hat...is...Gilles and Kevin Lafreniere????

The father and son team of Gilles and Kevin Lafreniere

 

Yes, I realize that Gilles and Kevin are two names...but I do not think I ever saw one without seeing the other. 

Kevin, a transit bus enthusiast was the first to join after attending the Open Doors** display at OC Transpo's St Laurent garage back in June 2005.  The show not only featured OTC 696 but also a bunch of Ottawa transit buses.  Kevin thought, "it would be nice to see 696 on the streets again." pretty much sums up the reason for him joining the group.   

At the time of joining Kevin was a student studying to become computer system technician.  Kevin involves himself in helping with all the prep work, riveting, organizing the paper work and reluctantly helping when heavy things need to be lifted!

Lafreniere "No.2" joined  not because of his great love of streetcars but more because he had to be there anyways.  Gilles had to drive his son Kevin to the 696 shed after Kevin joined the group.  Rather than go home and then return to retrieve Kevin, Gilles just stayed and helped out as a general labourer. 

Also both Gilles and Kevin look after OTC 905 the groups other streetcar.  This car is parked outside behind the 696 car barn with an extra roof to protect it from the elements.  Gilles and Kevin put in a ton of work cleaning the car, adding paint and getting the 905's headlight operational.  OTC 905 can be seen from Belfast Road and in the evening with the headlight glowing, 905 looks as if she is ready to depart on another run. 

Gilles & Kevin riding TTC Red Rocket 4600           Photo by Bruce Dudley

Gilles is a retired library technician from the RCMP and brings to the group his vast knowledge of World War history and his sense of humour.  Famous quote,"I'm the good looking one of the two."

I'll let the readers be the judge.


NOTE :  Open Doors** for those who may not be familiar with event, it is a weekend when the water works, heating plants, churches, homes, railway stations, service facilities, garages and other institutions all over the city open their doors to the general public.  Ottawa this year had over 100 places where one could come and have "a look-see".