Ottawa’s Historic Streetcar 696 arrives at permanent home in Smiths Falls

Streetcar 696 now on display at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, restoration work continues toward future public rides

Ottawa’s historic Streetcar 696 has arrived at its new permanent home at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario.

The 109-year-old streetcar was recently relocated from Ottawa to the museum after decades of volunteer-led restoration work. Restoration efforts will continue in Smiths Falls with the goal of eventually returning the streetcar to operation for public rides.

Streetcar 696 is believed to be Ottawa’s last remaining 600-series streetcar and represents an important part of the capital’s transit and manufacturing history. Built in Ottawa, the streetcar operated during an era when electric rail transit helped shape the city’s growth and daily life.

The project has been led for more than two decades by a group of volunteers who collectively contributed an estimated 150,000 hours to the restoration effort. The museum said it will continue working with many of those volunteers to complete the project and preserve the streetcar for future generations.

“This is about more than preserving a streetcar — it’s about preserving the stories, craftsmanship and community history connected to it,” said Tony Humphrey, president of the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario. “Historic transportation shaped our communities and connected generations of people. We are honoured to give Streetcar 696 a permanent home where it can once again be experienced and appreciated by the public.”

Museum officials say their long-term goal is to offer rides aboard the streetcar once restoration work is completed.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Streetcar 696 to the museum,” said Becky Allen, executive director of the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario. “We’re thrilled to make this piece of Ottawa history accessible to visitors and to continue the incredible restoration work already accomplished by the volunteer team.”

The museum also emphasized the importance of maintaining its partnership with the original restoration volunteers, many of whom plan to continue contributing their expertise in Smiths Falls.

Streetcar 696 is now on display at the museum, with restoration work continuing in the months ahead.

SOURCE: RMEO Media Release.
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