The June 21st announcement of the coming of the end of Maine's finest and
fastest electric railway, the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. The original
newspaper is in the collection of the Seashore Trolley Museum Library.
PWM image.
Click here to view what happened to each of the interurbans when public service ended
No. 10, Arbutus, running as Train 37, made the last eastbound trip over the
Interurban, leaving Portland at 11:05 p.m. on June 28, 1933. Left to right are:
John I. Cluff, William M. Jones, Albion M. Conant, Ralph Shaw, "Joe Happy",
Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony and Charles H. Mitchell.
Image from O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum Library.
Portland-Lewiston Interurban - R.I.P.
O. R. Cummings Collection
Seashore Trolley Museum Library.
Awaiting their fate at the Androscoggin & Kennebec Car House Yard in
Lewiston, No. 20, Magnolia, No. 14, Narcissus, and No. 22, Maine, c 1933-34
Image from O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum Library.
Image from O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum Library.
As the country was still deep in the Depression, there was no market
for the passenger or freight equipment of the PLI. At least five of the
passenger car bodies were sold to private parties. The No. 10, Arbutus,
went to Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony in Saco, ME, Nos. 40 and 42
South Casco was used for storage. No. 22, Maine became a
diner on Park Street in Lewiston, No. 14, Narcissus became a summer
camp in Sabattus, and for a while, No. 18, Azalea was located
on West Rose Hill, overlooking the Androscoggin River in Auburn.
Details from O. R. Cummings' 1967, Maine's Fast Electric
Railroad-Portland-Lewiston Interurban. The original letter is in
Seashore Trolley Museum Library. PWM image.
The Arbutus, sister to the Narcissus, was purchased by Mrs. Gertrude Libbey
Anthony in 1933. Mrs. Gertrude, a daughter of the innovative businessman who
created the Portland-Lewiston Interurban system, W. S. Libbey, kept the
Arbutus, as a memorial to her late father, from 1933 till it was scrapped in 1946.
Interestingly, most of the ornate leaded stained glass windows and mahogany sash
from the clerestory survived and came to the Seashore Trolley Museum in 2001,
from the Shoreline Trolley Museum. Image from O. R. Cummings' 1967
Maine's Fast Electric Railroad-Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
J Henry Vallee and his son, Daniel Vallee, relax inside the
in Sabattus, Maine, from 1934 to 1969. The kitchen-dining room in the
background was an addition attached to the body
of the Narcissus. Dated June 1965 - Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.
The Narcissus is ready to leave the Vallee property and travel to its new home
at the Seashore Trolley Museum. Late October 1969.
The Narcissus is now undergoing restoration. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.
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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
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 captivate, fascinate, and then generate 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 donating 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 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
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
