August 2007Volume 1 Number 3 Transit Heritage News

Bus appears in the Box CollectorThey’re going to put me in the movies...

The Manitoba Transit Heritage Association’sTwin Coach 111 was on the movie set of theproduction of “The Box Collector” starringMargo Kidder.

The vintage coach appeared in scene 54,making multiple trips through seven takes atthe corner of Pandora and Bond in Transcona.

Association members John Kapusta, RonAlexander and Alex Regiec were up at thecrack of dawn on Sunday June 17th in orderto have the bus on the set for the 7am shoot.

InsideBoard Meeting..............2

Local photographer....4

Memory lane.................3

Cruisin’ downtown......3

Manitoba Transit HeritageAssociation Inc.

The Manitoba TransitHeritage Association is anon-profit organizationwhose members volunteerto restore old transitvehicles for historicalpurposes, and provide therestored transit vehicles forpublic parades anddisplays.

The MTHA also collectstransit related memorabilia.If you wish to donatevintage items, pleasecontact:

The Manitoba TransitHeritage Association Inc.c/o 421 Osborne StreetWinnipeg, ManitobaCanada R3L 2A2

This newsletter ispublished six times peryear and is distributed freeto members.

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Collector Photo............6

Above, all is quiet on the set in Transconaas bus 111 passes through scene 54 with thecameras rolling. On the left, John Kapustaappeared as an extra in the movie drivingthe bus in seven takes of the same scene.

The Manitoba Transit Heritage Association’svintage Twin Coach made an appearance inscene 54 of the Box Collector movie. Notethat the licence plate had been changed to aSouth Dakota one.

Summer visitorsIt was a busy summer with the ManitobaTransit Heritage Association Inc. hostingnumerous out-of-town guests. The MTHAwould like to thank the following people forstopping in and visiting with us:

Simon Yiu, Felix Tse, Allan, and LukeOlszewski from Ontario; Michael Brady fromBlackpool, England; Angus McIntyre fromVancouver, BC; and Patricia Poirier ofStonewall, Manitoba.

751 shines....................5

The MTHA celebrates...

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MTHABoard Meeting

Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order at 19:10.

Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 at McDonald’s RestaurantPresent:John Kapusta, Ron Alexander, Guy Fontaine, DennisCavanagh, Pat Rogoski, Alex Regiec, and John Panting.

Review of Minutes

Treasurer’s ReportNo report at this time.

Organizational Priorities continuedBus Rescue, Restoration and MaintenanceGuy Fontaine raised the issue that it is important weclean-up and organize the parts storage area on Track36. Ron Alexander proposed that a work party beorganized for Wednesday, August 8th at 6:30 PM.

Guy Fontaine and Alex Regiec also mentioned thework space and storage arrangements that had beenworked out with Transit including space on Track Band Track 36, which the group later toured.

Alex Regiec reported that he had spoken with JerryComeau, Civic Properties Manager, regarding PlessisRoad. The storage yard will be available for another2 years before it is sold off.

John Kapusta mentioned that bus 111 is in need of anoil change, and Guy Fontaine also stated that he wouldlike to do a brake inspection on it shortly.

Bus OperationsAlex Regiec reported that he will be meeting with DonFinkbeiner of Heartland International Tours on Thursday,August 9th to discuss the possibility of providing heritagetours using bus 565 and 751.

Dennis Cavanagh and Pat Rogoski reported they haveregistered bus 111 in the “Cruisin’ Downtown” eventsponsored by the Pony Corral restaurants for Saturday,August 11th.

Ron Alexander motioned that the MTHA approve atax receipt value of $7,000 to Beaver Bus Lines for thedonation of bus 28. Dennis Cavanagh seconded andthe motion passed. The bus can be picked up at anytime.

Ron Alexander and John Kapusta confirmed that thereare three more events to attend with bus 111 for thisyear. The group agreed that the MTHA special eventprogramming will conclude at the end of September.

Organization PrioritiesThe Board members reviewed a list of organizationalpriorities for the remainder of the year and for theupcoming year.

AdministrationGuy Fontaine reported that he had submitted theapplication to Revenue Canada for Tax Charitable statusat the end of June. He indicated that it usually takes sixmonths to process.

Alex Regiec reported on discussions with Transit’sSocial Committee regarding the MTHA becoming thesponsoring agency for the 50/50 draw once the taxcharitable status is available.

The newsletter and website are available to membersand the general public.

New membership cards were passed out to the Boardmembers and all MTHA members will receive theircards shortly via Canada Post.

Alex Regiec presented a proposal for the funding andbuilding of a Transit Heritage Museum for review.Ron Alexander motioned that “The president bedelegated authority to pursue fund-raising activitiesrelated to the Museum proposal.” John Panting seconded and the motion passed.

Other BusinessThe MTHA will send a small group over to the FireDepartment to explore what plans that department hasfor ex-Winnipeg Transit bus 952, an Orion I.

Meeting AdjournedThe meeting was adjourned at 20:45.

Regrets:Terry and Franz Wark, Jim Hunter, Murray Penner,David A. Wyatt, and Benny Konoawalchuk.

The Manitoba Transit HeritageAssociation Inc. welcomesthe following HonouraryMembers:

William A. LukeSpokane, Washington, USA

Paul LegerHalifax, Nova Scotia

Peter CoxEdmonton, Alberta

Angus McIntyreVancouver, British Columbia

Welcome...

No report at this time.

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MTHANews...for a trip down memory laneAuthor Russ Gourluck and the Twin Coach at Senior’s Centre...

On August 8th award-winnig author RussGourluck was on hand at the Gwen SectorCreative Living Centre to talk about his book“Going Downtown” a history about thePortage Avenue retail sector and signautographs.

As an added feature, the Manitoba TransitHeritage Association’s 1937 Twin Coachmade an appearance to help seniors reminisceabout the golden era of downtown Winnipeg.

MTHA members Dennis Cavanagh, PatRogoski, David Wyatt and Alex Regieccoordinated the appearance of bus 111 in the8th annual Cruz In Downtown vintage vehicledisplay sponsored by Piston Ring and92CITI-FM on Saturday, August 11th.

The members marshalled the bus with theother 400 classic & vintage cars, fire trucksand army vehicles at Canad Inns Stadiumbefore parading along Portage Avenue todowntown. While on display, the Twin Coachgenerated a lot of interest from the crowd ofnearly 40,000 people who attended.

All proceeds from this event are donated toThe Rainbow Society, which grants wishesto children suffering from life-threateningillnesses.

Bus 111 goes for a “Cruz In Downtown”

Local artist/photographer visits MTHANoted Winnipeg artist and photographerTracy Peters recently spent an afternoon withMTHA members Guy Fontaine and AlexRegiec capturing images of bus 751.

Traditional film-based photographictechniques - including pinhole photography- are what Tracy uses to create images, whichare often recreated memories of pastexperiences, including riding WinnipegTransit!

Tracy’s work has been exhibited in solo,group, and juried exhibitions, including thePavilion Gallery Museum, Outworks ArtGallery, Vault Gallery and the AdelaideMcDermot Gallery.

Her work has been recognized by CAPA(Canadian Association for Photographic Art)in regional competitions, receiving first placein the monochrome category.

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MTHANews

Bus 751 shines in the bright summer sun...The MTHA’s bus 751 made a number of appearances thissummer. The 36 year-old bus is a 1971 GMC model TDH-4521 that was donated by Winnipeg Transit to the MTHAin 2000. The bus is fully operational and will be paintedback to it’s original colours shortly.

After each picture istaken, Tracy has tocarefully re-loadfilm for the pinholecamera in a black bag thatsubstitutes for a dark roomon site, hopefully avoidingany exposure to light.

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MTHAScheduleVintage bus collection weekly work partiesThe Manitoba Transit Heritage Association invites members to come out andhelp with the vintage fleet restoration. There are a variety of tasks that needdoing, and we need your help. Buses 565 and 214 will not re-build themselves!

If you know your away around a tool box, please consider lending a couple hoursto help out. We meet on the following Wednesdays between 18:30 and 21:30 at theFort Rouge Garage, 421 Osborne Street:

September 5, 12,19,October 3, 10, 17November 7, 14, 21January 16, 23February 6, 13, 20March 5, 12, 19April 9, 16, 23

Members should confirm their attednace with the MTHA President or Treasurer and check for cancellations.

The Transit Heritage Museum ProjectThe Board of Directors of the ManitobaTransit Heritage Association Inc. formallyendorsed a plan presented by MTHAPresident Alex Regiec to pursue the visionof building a Transit Heritage Museum inWinnipeg.

“The proposed Museum would increasecitizen’s awareness of Winnipeg’s andManitoba’s strong historical role in the bus-industry”, the MTHA president explained tothe Board.

The proposed facility would be a smallworking Museum and Interpretive Centrefeaturing the vintage vehicles, informationdisplays, and an active workshop area wherevehicle restoration work would occur.

The establishment of a museum endowmentfund will occur shortly, and fund-raisingefforts will be undertaken, with the MTHAapplying to various foundations, governmentprograms, and pursuing private donationsfrom corporations and individuals.

Board meetingsThe Manitoba Transit Heritage Association board members will meet on the following Wednesdaysbetween 19:00 and 20:30 at the Fort Rouge Garage, 421 Osborne Street:

September 26October 24November 28January 30February 27March 26April 30

Please confirm all meetings dates with your MTHA President or Vice-President. Cancellation noticeswill be mailed out to board members in advance.

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From ThePhoto Album

In this photograph GWTC bus 403, a 1954 Flxible-Twin Coach model FT2D-40 rounds the corner of Portage & Main destined forWatt Street. This picture was taken and provided courtesy of William A. Luke of Spokane, Washington, USA.

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If you have a photograph of a vintage transit vehicle from anywherein Manitoba that you would like to share, please send it to the

Manitoba Transit Heritage Association Inc.c/o 421 Osborne Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 2A2