Narcissus Restoration Update - Mid-September 2016

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers wire brushed the

iron carlines before painting with rust inhibitor primer. The remaining

ash wood roof ribs will be removed, assessed, replaced, or repaired,

sanded, primed, stained/painted, and reinstalled. PWM

Narcissus with most of the ash wood roof ribs removed. PWM

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers remove nails
and prepare ash roof ribs for sanding and repairs. PWM

Donald Curry, the lead restoration technician for the Narcissus restoration,
is measuring the "bow" in each of the ash wood roof ribs. Some have
become too "flat" and may not be reused. The weight of the two
trolley pole bases flattened some ribs too much to reuse, and perhaps
when a camp for more than 30 years, snow accumulation caused some roof
ribs to flatten too much? When the time comes, new ash ribs
will be cut and steam-bent to the proper bow to replace the flattened
or unrepairable ribs. PWM

Each end of each ash roof rib was stamped
with markings when removed. These
markings identify the rib number and the
end on the left/right side of the roof.
There are more than sixty ribs. Here
you see the nail holes that will be filled and
sanded before the top priming and
the sides and bottom stained. PWM

A few of the ash wood roof ribs waiting to have the repaired nail
holes sanded. You can see the ID letters/numbers on these ribs by
looking near the screw holes. PWM

The roof ribs of Ashwood after repairs and sanding. PWM

Roof ribs, each with their "bow"
measurement. You may notice an end or two
that has not been sanded. These were left
as found and will be documented as such,
in the archival record of the Narcissus.
PWM

Ribs before receiving stain/primer.
PWM

The stained portion of some ribs. PWM

The gray primer has been applied to the ends and tops of the ribs. The ends
are exposed to the elements and will be painted the same color as the exterior
of the Narcissus, Pullman Green. The tops will accept the nails when the roof
boards are reattached. PWM

Volunteer Jim Mackell making the "blanks" of extensions necessary to replace

those that are missing on the Narcissus. DGC

When finished, each of these blanks will extend from the tops of the
exterior poplar arches that hold the mahogany sash of the leaded
stained glass windows above the passenger windows. These blanks
were cut from vintage poplar that was recovered by
Rousseau Reclaimed Lumber from a "bank barn" that was razed
in Akron, PA See the image below. PWM

You can see how one extends from the top of the arch to the right. There is
also, one that extends from the top left of the arch as well. Each extension,
similar to each arch has a series of complicated cuts. One cut that allows for
the back top edge to fit behind the large letterboard. One cut that allows us to
meet and accept the extension next to it. One cut to accept the vertical
sheathing that fits between the arch and the extension (see above as darker
boards that become shorter as they approach the top of the arch). One cut to
accept and blend into the top of the arch. PWM

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers sanding roof boards.
Vintage poplar will be used to make the tongue and groove roof boards to
replace any missing or unusable roof boards. See below
PWM

Volunteers, Jim Mackell and Dick Avy are "grooving"
the vintage poplar for tongue and groove roof boards.
DGC

The Narcissus has about half of the original interlocking tiles in place
down the center of the passenger compartment. There is also
a significant amount of the original tiles in the smoking compartment.
Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers are vacuuming
the floor, before applying layers of materials to the tile to protect it
from foot traffic. PWM

A sheet of plexiglass is in place so that the
tile can be seen. PWM

The Narcissus tile has a neat history. See below PWM

The tile was patented in 1894 by Frank Furness.
Research is done by Donald Curry

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers with the Narcissus
project table at Seashore Trolley Museum's Members' Day event. PWM

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers enjoy a ride
on the 1907 Twin City Rapid Transit No. 1267. PWM

From the Twin City Rapid Transit, Thornton Academy Residential Life
student volunteers will transfer to the 1914 Cleveland Railway No. 1227.
PWM

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers enjoy a ride on
the 1914 Cleveland Railway No. 1227. PWM

Seashore Trolley Museum volunteer operator, John Middleton, is
91 years old, and is explaining to two of the Thornton Academy Residential
Life student volunteers, that during his working career, he was an aerospace
engineer (I like to say John is a rocket scientist :) and
designed testing equipment that landed safely on the surface of the moon!
This life lesson is teaching that volunteers at the Trolley Museum come
with a wide variety of professional skills. PWM

Volunteer John Middleton operating the 1901 Connecticut Company open
car No. 303 as Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers enjoy a
ride to the Pumpkin Patch. PWM

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers enjoy a
ride on the 1901 Connecticut Company open car No. 303. PWM

Ad in Classic Trains Magazine 8-2016
PWM

Ad in Trains Magazine 8-2016
PWM

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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