1911 Osgood Bradley Trolley (Project)

Veteran's Square Diner 1911 Osgood Bradley Trolley The Veterans Square Diner opened in West Warwick, RI in 1941 and was operated for more than fifty years by the Richter family until it was abandoned and...
The Veterans Square Diner opened in West Warwick, RI in 1941 and was operated for more than fifty years by the Richter family until it was abandoned and discovered by Richard Shappy. Prior to its use as a diner, it had been an Osgood Bradley Trolley that operated on the streets of Providence and surrounding cities for approximately thirty years. A meticulous restoration has been underway for the past ten years as the following photos will show.
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DSC00707 The 1911 Trolley was transformed into a diner in 1940, and it was operated as the Veteran's Square Diner in West Warwick, Rhode Island for the next fifty years.
The 1911 Trolley was transformed into a diner in 1940, and it was operated as the Veteran's Square Diner in West Warwick, Rhode Island for the next fifty years.
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DSC00733 The diner exterior is being removed to expose the old trolley.
The diner exterior is being removed to expose the old trolley.
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DSC00736 Most of the diner exterior is removed. Trussing is installed to provide strength for transporting the trolley.
Most of the diner exterior is removed. Trussing is installed to provide strength for transporting the trolley.
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DSC00744 Trolley has been lifted off the foundation by the rigging company, and is almost ready to roll.
Trolley has been lifted off the foundation by the rigging company, and is almost ready to roll.
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DSC00709 Interior of trolley after closing as a diner.
Interior of trolley after closing as a diner.
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DSC00710 Interior of small diner. It seated only ten people.
Interior of small diner. It seated only ten people.
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DSC00737 Interior with trussing completed.
Interior with trussing completed.
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DSC00740 Interior trussing is complete. The trolley is ready for the journey to the Dick Shappy facility in Providence.
Interior trussing is complete. The trolley is ready for the journey to the Dick Shappy facility in Providence.
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DSC00863 July 1st, 2005. A sad end to a piece of American transportation history as the United Electric Railway "trolley barn" in Cranston, Rhode Island is demolished.
July 1st, 2005. A sad end to a piece of American transportation history as the United Electric Railway "trolley barn" in Cranston, Rhode Island is demolished.
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DSC00857 While at the demolition site, Dick Shappy asked the demolition crew if they would be so kind to donate some track from the site to be displayed with the 1911...
While at the demolition site, Dick Shappy asked the demolition crew if they would be so kind to donate some track from the site to be displayed with the 1911 Osgood Bradley currently being restored. Harry Baccari from Ocean State Wrecking graciously stopped what he was doing and put the track aside and ordered it to be delivered to the Charles Street site. Thank you Harry.
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DSC00746 Trolley completely removed from its foundation.
Trolley completely removed from its foundation.
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DSC00265 Trolley arriving at Shappy's Providence facility. Note the new building that was erected in which this trolley will undergo a complete restoration.
Trolley arriving at Shappy's Providence facility. Note the new building that was erected in which this trolley will undergo a complete restoration.
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DSC00308 Dismantling has begun.
Dismantling has begun.
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DSC00306 This is a good view of the original existing trolley interior.
This is a good view of the original existing trolley interior.
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DSC00310 More interior detail.
More interior detail.
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DSC00713 Interior of small diner. It seated only ten people.
Interior of small diner. It seated only ten people.
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DSC00311 The diner floor being removed to expose the old trolley floor.
The diner floor being removed to expose the old trolley floor.
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DSC00882 Chris inspecting the just completed oak understructure.
Chris inspecting the just completed oak understructure.
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DSC00883 Chris Brayton, known for his restoration work on early colonial homes in the area has joined the trolley restoration project.
Chris Brayton, known for his restoration work on early colonial homes in the area has joined the trolley restoration project.
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