A complete "half" of one newly built exterior poplar arched frame
for the 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban, Narcissus sits on top of a
few frame segments. The segments will be assembled following the addition of
"fingers," gluing, and planning. Each complete "half" arched frame will then have
turns on three specially made shapers before several passes along special router
blades that will then shape the arched frame with contours and groves to
match the graceful lines of the original poplar arched frames of the Narcissus.
PWM
This Narcissus Blog post is the third in a series that relates to the exemplary woodwork being done with the exterior poplar arched frames by Seashore Trolley Museum member/volunteer, Lary Shaffer. The exterior poplar arched frames hold the mahogany sash/frames that contain the ornate leaded stained glass windows that are above each pair of passenger windows, except on the No. 2 end, where there is a single sash window (The No. 2 end of the Narcissus is affectionately referred to as the "Teddy End". For it is from the open train door on the No. 2 end, from whence Theodore Roosevelt waved to the assembled crowd of residents of Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914).
Lary is working on the poplar arch frames in his
Scarborough Marsh Fine Furniture woodworking shop.
Lary is working on the poplar arch frames in his
Scarborough Marsh Fine Furniture woodworking shop.
There are thirteen passenger windows along each side of the Narcissus. Twelve "double-sash" or pairs of windows and one single sash/window. There is an arched wooden frame on the exterior of the Narcissus over each single or each pair of windows. Each of the poplar arched frames is made up of a combination of left and right "half", and a "tail that extends from the top of the frame and runs parallel with the body of the car. These are extremely complicated designs. In addition, the original design had each half of the arches made from one solid piece of poplar board. This use of one single board would prove to be a design flaw that resulted in the tips of the ends of each arched half failing.
The flaw in the design relates to the grain of the poplar wood from a single board. The direction of the grain of the poplar in the final two or three inches at the tips of each arched frame is structurally the "weak link", and virtually every end had broken away from every single poplar arched frame section. Good fortune had two broken end pieces nailed into place. Having these allowed Lary to have one complete set of the two halves intact....although in pieces. with these intact arches, he could then create a wooden pattern to use as he developed the plan to repair the ends of fifty "halves" of arched frames and to rebuild four halves completely.
An original arched frame half will need repair. PWM
The "jig" was designed by Lary Shaffer to align each arched half
so that each will be cut on the same line in the arch for a
consistently sized end replacement repair...piece...made from
vintage poplar. PWM
Lary Shaffer used the shaper table to cut "fingers" into the end of the
new vintage poplar arched frame segments which will be used to replace
missing frames of the Narcissus. PWM
Lary Shaffer holding the jig he made to hold an arched frame half-segment
to have its "fingers" cut by the knives on the shaper table. Lary had to make
several different jogs to be used on the shaper table for the various segments
made to repair and or build the complicated design of the exterior arched frame
of the Narcissus. PWM
Three, of the fifty arched frames with the vintage poplar wood in
place. Each of these arches will have turns on three specially-made
shapers before several passes along special router blades that will
then shape the new arched frame ends with contours and grooves
to match the graceful lines of the original poplar arched frames
of the Narcissus. PWM
An original poplar arched frame from Narcissus in a vise
waiting for the glued "fingers" that now
connect the original poplar to the new vintage poplar end.
PWM
The second video (below) has Lary assessing the block of vintage poplar for where to make the cut for the new section of the frame, then squaring it up.
The third video (below) has Lary explaining the assembly of the segments.
The fourth video (below) has Lary gluing the fingered segments together, then plane a completed "new" half-arch frame.
Part four of this series will be released after Lary has completed repairs to all original arched frame ends (50) and finished building three complete sets of arches. When all the above is done, we will video Lary attaching and "running" left and then a right, complete half, through the various router knives, on the various jigs, made for the shaper.
Click Here - to see Part 1 in the series of 4 - exterior poplar framework and to see Lary's bio.
Click Here - to see Part 2 of the exterior poplar framework
Click Here - to see Part 4 of the exterior poplar framework
Click Here to view the post on the leaded stained glass windows
Click Here to view the first post on the mahogany sash and passenger windows work
Click Here - to see the story of finding the reclaimed lumber for use in Narcissus restoration
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!
Click Here: Donation Options
The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.
Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project
Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding
the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
the Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
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