The 1915 Morrison Hill Station from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban
in West Cumberland, Maine, at Seashore Trolley Museum in
Kennebunkport greets passengers as they arrive on the 1901 open trolley car
No. 303 from New Haven, CT. July 2017 PWM image
This post is a companion to the slide presentation program by Phil Morse as a guest speaker for the Prince Memorial Library (the presentation includes Donald Curry presenting on the restoration of the Narcissus currently underway at Seashore Trolley Museum) at the West Cumberland Recreation Hall on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. The images and text are from various sources, including some that belong to Phil Morse. Other sources will be noted. Much of the text and many of the images were drawn from various books released by O. R. Cummings. O. R. wrote more than fifty books on electric railway systems throughout New England. O. R. passed away early in 2013. He was a member/volunteer at the New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Seashore Trolley Museum) starting in 1947, serving as its historian for many, many years. O. R. was a personal friend and is dearly missed.
This material is not intended as a comprehensive history of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban or the railway systems that served the greater Cumberland area. Instead, it was tailored for the Cumberland audience attending the public presentation at the West Cumberland Recreation Hall on May 15, 2018. Its intent was to show a glimpse of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban and its employees and to share the story of the petite 1915 PLI waiting station from Morrison Hill in West Cumberland that was saved and is at the Seashore Trolley Museum. In addition, to let guests know that one of these majestic PLI interurbans, the Narcissus, was saved and is currently being restored at Seashore Trolley Museum.
at the West Cumberland Recreation Hall on May 15.
The Prince Memorial Library hosted the presentation. photo by Zhaocheng "Sunny" Zhong
Donald Curry is discussing the restoration of
the Narcissus with the guests attending the May 15 presentation
in West Cumberland. PWM
the Narcissus with the guests attending the May 15 presentation
in West Cumberland. PWM
The Portland-Lewiston Interurban 1910-1933
The Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI) operated in West Cumberland from 1914 until 1933 and carried a total of 7.3. million passengers traveling between Portland and Lewiston. Serving the communities of Lewiston, Auburn, New Gloucester, Gray, West Cumberland, West Falmouth, and Portland. Operating over some 30 miles of well-ballasted private right-of-way and trackage rights into both Portland and Lewiston. The PLI was special, a jewel that was cherished by its employees and patrons alike.
Below is a promotional handout with destinations and prices for trolley trips with the Portland Railroad and the Lewiston, Augusta & Waterville Street Railway.
First, we will briefly visit the early years of the electric railway service in Cumberland. The Portland & Yarmouth Electric Railway was awarded its charter on November 21, 1894. In 1895, the company obtained locations in Portland, Deering, Falmouth, Cumberland, & Yarmouth. A change in ownership occurred early in 1897, followed by controversies that led to legal action. Finally, in August of 1897, the construction of the line started. The rebuilding of Tukey's Bridge delayed the completion of the railway for a year. Service from Portland to the Cumberland/Yarmouth town line was opened on August 1, 1898. The balance of the line to the Grand Trunk Railroad depot at Yarmouth was completed on August 18, 1898.
No. 3, an 1897 combination car. Express (light freight) and
passengers were both carried. O. R. Cummings
"Portland Railroad" January 1957.
Martin's Point Bridge between Portland and Falmouth.
From the NEERHS 2015 book, "The Illustrated Atlas of
Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946."
A half-hour schedule between Portland and Yarmouth was placed in effect, the nearly thirteen-mile route having a one-hour running time. The Portland Railroad took stock control of the Portland & Yarmouth line on December 11, 1900.
The route of the Yarmouth line; Monument Square via Elm and Oxford Streets to Washington Avenue; Washington Avenue to Veranda Street; Veranda Street to Martin's Point Bridge; Route One through Falmouth and Cumberland Foresides to Yarmouth; Pleasant and Main Streets to Grand Trunk Depot in Yarmouth. 12.44 miles. Services on the Yarmouth line, outward from the Marine Hospital, were abandoned on June 29, 1933. The same-day service ended for the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
From the NEERHS 2015 book, "The Illustrated Atlas of
Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946."
O. R. Cummings' 1957 book,
"Part 1 - Portland Railroad."
Cumberland locals would travel to Falmouth which had Maine's only electric
fountain at Underwood Spring Park. The Portland & Yarmouth
fountain at Underwood Spring Park. The Portland & Yarmouth
Electric Railway opened the park in the summer of 1899.
Built upon an underground spring that gushed forth a quarter of a million
gallons of healthy water every 24 hours. Day-trippers from Portland
could depart Monument Square every 30 minutes, every 15 minutes during
peak times. 20 cents roundtrip. Every evening between 8 and 9 p.m.,
an engineer would operate the electric fountain, manipulating its
controls to create a shifting rainbow of color in the water. The casino and
theater burned down in 1907 and it was never rebuilt. Text and images from
2012 NEERHS book, "The Trolley Parks of Maine."
From the NEERHS 2015 book, "The Illustrated Atlas of
Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946."
Portland to Yarmouth. Postcard postmarked June 22, 1910, from PWM.
In 1910, only about 10% of the population had electricity in their homes. The early electric power companies' major revenue source was from contracts with cities to provide electricity to light their main streets and with the electric railway companies.
Middle Street Portland. A postcard postmarked November 5, 1909, from PWM
The "Hub" of the Portland Railroad system, was at the junction of Congress, Preble, Middle, Federal, and Elm Streets in downtown Portland. All trolley cars on all lines, both the city and suburban (and the Portland-Lewiston Interurban) passed through this point. The Portland Railroad had many prosperous years. For example, more than 13 million passengers were carried during the year ending June 30, 1904, with revenues totaling $686,000, net profits exceeding $86,000, and stockholders shared dividends of nearly $60,000.
Monument Square. Image circa 1910 courtesy PWM
Monument Square was the hub for the Portland Railroad’s operated 78 miles of route and its 95 miles of track, serving the communities of Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Saco, Old Orchard, Westbrook, Gorham, South Windham, Falmouth, Cumberland, and Yarmouth. However, the PRR was also a hub for handling freight as well as connecting passengers to more far-reaching destinations as well as being a major intermodal transportation center, with connections with the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, Biddeford & Saco Railroad, Lewiston, Augusta, & Waterville Street Railway, Boston & Maine Railroad, Maine Central Railroad, Grand Trunk Railroad, Casco Bay Lines, and various steamship companies.
A reprinted map, circa 1910, "Trolleying through the Heart of Maine"
Distributed by the Portland Railroad and the Lewiston, Augusta, &
Waterville Street Railway. Notice, that there is no Portland-Lewiston
Interurban yet. STM
Below is a promotional handout with destinations and prices for Casco Bay cruise trips.
Below is a promotional handout with destinations and prices for trolley trips with the Portland Railroad and the Lewiston, Augusta & Waterville Street Railway.
A reprinted copy of "Trolleying through the Heart of Maine"
Distributed by the Portland Railroad and the Lewiston, Augusta, &
Waterville Street Railway. The rates for travel are included. STM
The double-truck parlor car trolley, "Bramhall", was built in 1896 by the
J. G. Brill Company, Philadelphia, PA, and is said to have been given free
to the Portland Railroad in appreciation for past and anticipated future
business. Seen here at Fort Allen shortly after delivery. It was primarily
for use by PRR officials, but it was available for charter by special parties -
at an extra rate, of course. It was a handsome one, painted in shiny black
with gold leaf trim and lettering, and had ornamental iron grillwork on the
ends. The interior was fitted with 20 wicker chairs with plush seats, tasseled
curtains at the windows, and two cupboards (for spirits) at each end. In
1916, it was rebuilt as an experimental pre-payment car and became
No. 500. It was scrapped in the 1920s. Text and photos from
O. R. Cummings' 1959 book, "The Trolley Parlor Cars
of New England."
Living in Cumberland made it challenging to travel to the Auburn/Lewiston area. The early trolley passengers first rode a trolley to Yarmouth and changed trolleys for the trip to Brunswick. and changed trolleys again before traveling to Lewiston. Travel time was close to three hours.
The Finest Electric Railroad in All of New England
In 1905, there were two competing companies organized to build a more direct electric railway line between Lewiston and Portland. Fortunately, the two interests were friendly and they decided to combine to form a single charter that was approved in 1907.
The Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad was chartered from the consolidation of these two competing charters. The electric power for the new electric railroad would be supplied by the Lewiston & Auburn Electric Light Company. The Electric Light Company was co-owned by Winfield Scott Libbey, a prominent Lewiston businessman and philanthropist, and his partner, Henry M. Dingley. With the initial incorporators unable to secure the $1 million in capitalization to start construction and operations, Libbey and Dingley took control of the company early in 1910.
W. S. Libbey drove his very rare
Stanley Motor Coach Company, K 30-hp Semi-Racer. Only 25 of these cars were
ever built. Only three survive today. Libby's is among the
Mount Desert Island, Maine. The fact that it has not
been restored, might be the most valuable
Stanly in the world. Image from the Portland-
Lewiston Interurban Employees Scrapbook which
is among the collection of the NEERHS Library.
The first sod of earth was turned over by the construction superintendent, Samuel Ferguson, near Littlefield’s Corner, Auburn at 1:13 p.m. on the afternoon of Thursday, April 7, 1910. By that fall, the grading had been done through New Gloucester to Gray. In 1911, construction started at the Portland end at Deering Junction and proceeded to Gray.
Image from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees Scrapbook
which is among the collections of the NEERHS Library.
Harold's gang refers to Mrs. Helen C. Libbey's husband,
Harold S. Libbey, son of W. S. Libbey. Mrs. Libbey is
seen here in the upper right with their daughter, Eleanor. The Libbeys
would camp out along the route during its construction.
Harold, who graduated from MIT, would write letters
to his father with updates on the progress. Harold
also created maps with precise measurements of
elevations and grades of the line. Image from the
Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees Scrapbook which
is among the collections of the NEERHS Library.
1911-1912 - The tower wagon was used to run the messenger wire (telephone) and
trolley wire along the right-of-way. This work was done in advance of the
rails and crossties being placed. O.R. Cummings' 1967 book,
"Maine's Fast Electric Railroad: Portland-Lewiston Interurban."
Image from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees
Scrapbook which is among the collection of the NEERHS Library.
A dozen concrete bridges were built. The two longest bridges were each 110 feet in length, spanning the Presumpscot River (Portland/Falmouth) and the Little Androscoggin River in Auburn. There were also fifty cattle crossing tunnels built along the nearly 30-mile line.
O. R. Cummings' 1967 book,
"Maine's Fast Electric Railroad -
Portland-Lewiston Interurban."
The original concrete bridge spanning the
Presumpscot River. From O.R. Cummings' 1967
book, "Maine's Fast Electric Railroad:
Portland-Lewiston Interurban."
The "new" replacement bridge is in place atop the original.
1928. Image from O.R. Cummings' 1967 book,
"Maine's Fast Electric Railroad: Portland-Lewiston Interurban."
No. 1 bridge, a triple arch, across the Piscataqua River at Pearson's curve,
West Falmouth. O. R. Cummings' 1967 book,
"Maine's Fast Electric Railroad: Portland-Lewiston Interurban."
A progress report in the Lewiston Sun of July 18, 1912, indicated that the track had been laid all the way from Deering Junction to West Cumberland and the overhead over the entire line was nearing completion. The Portland carhouse-terminal construction would start on August 1, 1912. The high tension line from the Deer Rips plant of the Lewiston & Auburn Electric Company to the PG & L substations was in place during the summer of 1912.
Image from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees
Scrapbook which is among the collection of the NEERHS Library.
Image from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees
Scrapbook which is among the collection of the NEERHS Library.
Construction Delays 1912/1913 - In a feud in the construction camp near Littlefield’s, one of the workmen, Vincenzio Jamari, was stabbed fatally by a fellow worker. During the investigation, about ten others from the camp were confined to the Auburn City jail for a few days.
Heavy rains during the spring and fall of 1913 caused delays.
From the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees Scrapbook which is
among the collections of the NEERHS Library.
From the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees Scrapbook which is
among the collections of the NEERHS Library.
The line was of substantial construction - as well as many steam
railroads. This is through Chandler's Woods near New Gloucester. Trolley
poles are on the right and high-tension lines are on the left. From O. R.
Cummings 1967 book, " Maine's Fast Electric Railroad -
Portland-Lewiston Interurban."
One of the PLI interurbans in the "S" curve near Morrison Hill in
West Cumberland, ME. From STM archives
Fifty Cow Tunnels - Underpass
1941 U. S. Army Topo Map
"Old RR Grade"
Rolling stock was produced by some of the nation's leading car builders.
Laconia Car Company (Laconia, NH) and Wason Manufacturing
(Springfield, MA). Here is No. 16, Clematis, prepared for shipment from the
Laconia Car Company in 1912. ORC/DGC Slide Collection.
Modern methods of power generation and distribution were used.
From the Portland-Lewiston Interurban employees' Scrapbook
which is among the collection of NEERHS Library.
Consolidation of the Libbey-Dingley electric light and railroad properties into a single corporation was planned for in 1913 when a new charter was approved for the Androscoggin Electric Company in March 1913, but no action was taken until 1914. This did not include any of the other Libbey-Dingley businesses, i.e. mills, etc.
The PLI vehicles were required to call the dispatcher in the Lewiston terminal when entering or leaving the right-of-way. In Auburn, the right-of-way ended and the physical connection with the Lewiston, Augusta & Waterville Street Railway (LA& W) system began. In Portland, the right-of-way ended at Deering Junction for the physical connection with the Portland Railroad (PRR) system. Each of the substations/terminals also had phones connected to the PLI telephone system. The dispatcher was located in the Lewiston terminal. Each PLI railway vehicle also had an emergency portable phone (see the display for an actual phone).
The PLI phone booth at Fairview Junction in
Auburn. One was on each end of the right-of-way
where the operator would need to call the
dispatcher in the Lewiston terminal for orders.
PLI phone booth at Deering Junction, Portland.
By May 15, 1914, the Interurban was practically ready to run.
Map of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban shows
the direct route between Lewiston and Auburn
compared to the more triangular route that
trolleys traveled between the cities prior.
O. R. Cummings' 1967 book,
"Maine's Fast Electric Railroad -
Portland-Lewiston Interurban."
Distances between the various locations that a PLI
vehicle might use. The large high-speed interurbans
during "limited" designated trips would make very few
scheduled stops. The "local" service stops might use a
large interurban but mostly one of the two smaller
standard streetcars. In addition, there were freight
service vehicles that might be used for picking up milk,
light freight, etc. From the NEERHS 2015 book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric
Railways 1863-1946.
Morrison Hill Station from West Cumberland. Was there a similar
Portland-Lewiston Interurban waiting station in West Falmouth? We have
heard there was. Contact me and let me know.
p.morse31@gmail.com PWM
From the NEERHS 2015 book, "The Illustrated Atlas
of Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946.
From the NEERHS 2015 book, "The Illustrated Atlas of
Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946.
On May 17, 1914, W. S. Libbey died suddenly in his 63rd year. The name of the
Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad was changed to the Portland-Lewiston
Railroad on July 10, 1914, just eight days after the official opening of the
line. In October, a syndicate acquired the capital stock of the electric light
and railroad properties and the charter of the Androscoggin Electric
Company. The Androscoggin Electric Company was formally organized
later in October. Central Maine Power (CMP) would acquire the company
in 1920 and close the PLI in mid-1933.
When the Portland-Lewiston Interurban line opened on July 2, 1914, total travel time was reduced to less than two hours for a Falmouth passenger.
Monument Square is where passengers take one of the beautifully
appointed Portland-Lewiston Interurban coaches if you needed to travel
North to West Falmouth, West Cumberland, Gray, New Gloucester,
Auburn, or Lewiston. Photo circa 1920 from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Railways 1863-1946."
North to West Falmouth, West Cumberland, Gray, New Gloucester,
Auburn, or Lewiston. Photo circa 1920 from the 2015 NEERHS book,
"The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Railways 1863-1946."
The Interurbans of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban were much larger than the
more common trolleys of the Portland Railroad. Photos from slide collection of DGC/ORC.
From Monument Square, the PLI coaches would work their way through Portland to Forest Avenue, where they would enter the 30-mile PLI right-of-way leading to Lewiston, at Morrill's Corner, just off Allen Avenue.
Portland Railroad trolleys that were taking passengers to
Riverton Park would continue on Forest Avenue until
they turned off at the park's turnout. Map from 2015
the NEERHS Library book, "The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street
& Railways 1863-1946."
No. 10, Arbutus with Lewiston Terminal personnel. L-R, two unidentified
men, R. G. Weeks, master mechanic, Guy W. Mitchell, barn foreman;
H. L. Wright, Mrs. Lucy Card Matthews, E. J. Chateauvert, Milan H.
Spinney, Charles E. Kenniston, L. R. Penny, June 29, 1914.
The Laconia-built interurbans included; No. 10 Arbutus, No. 12
Gladiolus, No. 14 Narcissus, No. 16 Clematis.
The incredible interior of the Laconia-built
interurban coaches. Here is the Arbutus interior
of mahogany with an inlay of ebony/holly/ebony,
gold leaf fleur-de-lis in the ceiling panels, green
mohair plush-covered seats,
interlocking rubber-tile in
the center and smoking compartment
floors. ORC/DGC slides.
The Narcissus interior before restoration
before the beginning of restoration in
mid-2015. DGC photo.
On August 18, 1914, Theodore Roosevelt from the number 2 end of the
Narcissus, waves to gathered spectators in Gray, Maine. TR was again a
passenger on a PLI coach on August 31, 1916, when he was traveling from
Portland to Lewiston. Photo courtesy of the Gray Historical Society.
Image from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees
Scrapbook which is among the collection of the NEERHS Library.
Image from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees
Scrapbook which is among the collection of the NEERHS Library.
Image from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees
Scrapbook which is among the collection of the NEERHS Library.
Here is the Arbutus with the crew and guests of
the final passenger trip. Including, Gertrude
Libbey Anthony, daughter of W. S. Libbey.
From the Portland-Lewiston Interurban
Employees Scrapbook which is among the
collection of NEERHS Library.
The Gladiolus was actually the very last interurban over the line. It was
deadheaded back to Lewiston during the forenoon on Jun 29, 1933, and that
night, at Lewiston, the employees of the interurban officially closed the line
at a farewell dinner. The "boys" drowned their sorrows with the newly-legal
3.2 beer. From the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees scrapbook
which is among the collection of NEERHS Library.
No. 20 Magnolia, No. 14 Narcissus, and No. 22 Maine at
the Androscoggin & Kennebec carhouse railyard in Lewiston.
July 29, 1933, or 34.
In 1933, there was no market for the passenger or freight equipment of the PLI, and most of the rolling stock was dismantled at Gray and at the Lewiston carhouse yard of the Androscoggin & Kennebec. At least five of the passenger car bodies were sold to private parties and one complete coach, the Arbutus, was purchased by Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony and moved to her property in Saco, Maine (but was later scrapped in 1946). The body of Maine became a dinner in Lewiston (and was later scrapped). The body of the Narcissus became a summer camp at Sabattus Pond. The body of the Azalea was located on West Rose Hill, overlooking the Androscoggin River, in Auburn (its whereabouts or use is unknown). The bodies of the two standard passenger trolleys, Nos. 40 & 42, were used as storage buildings in Casco, ME, and later traveled to Seashore Trolley Museum where their coupling components were saved and the remains of the bodies were scrapped.
A letter detailing the sale of PLI vehicles in 1933.
From Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum.
No. 10 Arbutus, was sold to Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony,
daughter of W. S. Libbey. The complete coach, with trucks (wheels,
motors, axles, etc.) was transported to her property in the Bay View
area of Saco, Maine. From the Portland-Lewiston Interurban
employees' scrapbook which is among the collection of NEERHS Library.
The Arbutus in 1940, when a memorial to W. S Libbey, on the
property of his daughter, Gertrude Libbey Anthony, in the Bay View
area of Saco, Maine. It was scrapped in 1946. From the
Portland-Lewiston Interurban employees' scrapbook which is among
the collection of NEERHS Library.
No. 22 Maine became a diner and drinking establishment on
Park Avenue in Lewiston (the Vallees lived next door in the
third-floor apartment, when not living in the Narcissus).
From O. R. Cummings' 1965 book, "Maine's Fast Electric
Railroad - Portland-Lewiston Interurban."
Pond. From footage of O. R. Cummings Collection
at Northeast Historic Films, Bucksport, ME.
The Narcissus circa 1965 when the summer camp of the J. Henri Vallee
family at Sabattus Pond. Photo courtesy of Daniel Vallee.
Former employees of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban had four annual
reunions in Gray, 1938, 1939, 1940, & 1941. From the Portland-
Lewiston Interurban employees' scrapbook which is among the collection of
the NEERHS Library.
of the good days of the PLI. From the Portland-
Lewiston Interurban employees' scrapbook which is
among the collections of the NEERHS Library.
From the Portland-Lewiston Interurban
employees' scrapbook which is among the
collection of NEERHS Library.
Circa 1964 photo of the interior of the Narcissus when the summer
camp of J. Henri Vallee (far right). Photo courtesy of Daniel Vallee.
Circa 1965 photo of the interior of the Narcissus when the summer camp of
J. Henri Vallee (left) with his son, Daniel Vallee. The "addition" to the
body of the Narcissus is the kitchen (seen here behind the gentlemen)
with a hand pump for water and a Buck-Stove for heat. Photo
courtesy of Daniel Vallee.
"Narcissus is the last Maine car available for restoration."
Page 1 of 2 from the July/August 1965 Trolley
Museum newsletter that speaks to the interest
in preserving a PLI interurban
since the 1930s. PWM Collection
Trucks that could be used with the Narcissus
were located in Ontario, Canada. These trucks would
later in 1965 arrive at the Museum after Governor
Reed and his office negotiated to have the trucks
donated to the Museum as a gesture of international
goodwill. PWM Collection
Donald Curry leading a team to assess the Narcissus during Christmas week,
1968. They would later remove the attached addition seen here.
DGC photos.
Fall 1969 Seashore Trolley Museum volunteers and staff load the
Narcissus on the Museum's "Highway Monster" for shipping to
Kennebunkport. Photo courtesy of Daniel Vallee.
Late October 1969, the Narcissus is secured to the trailer and ready for
travel to Kennebunkport. The new home in the background was built by the
Museum as Mr. Vallee's replacement housing for transferring the Narcissus
to the Museum. Photo courtesy of Daniel Vallee.
The Narcissus, just before traveling to Kennebunkport. Photo
courtesy of Daniel Vallee.
Kathy Allen MacDonald shared these photos with the Museum. The
Narcissus made a stop in West Cumberland on its way
to the Seashore Trolley Museum on October 31, 1969.
Spring of 1970 at the Seashore Trolley Museum. The Narcissus is in the parking
lot on the right rear. PWM Collection.
Spring 1970 at the Seashore Trolley Museum. The Narcissus still has its sign
on its side thanking all the businesses that contributed materials or labor
to building Vallee's replacement housing. Photo courtesy of
Norm Downs.
From the 1994 NEERHS Annual Report. Jay Mazzei is seen here at
the 1915 Morrison Hill Station in West Cumberland, ME.
Circa 1990.
From the 1992 NEERHS Annual Report. At the Seashore Trolley Museum
where the renovations begin.
Donald Curry with Morrison Hill
Station in 1992 at Seashore Trolley Museum.
From the 1994 NEERHS Annual Report. John Mazzei poses in front
of the station after he completed the renovations.
Front cover image of the 1994 NEERHS Annual Report.
From the 1995 NEERHS Annual Report.
2017 upgrades to the station are done. The pathway leads to the Donald
G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop. It received upgrades
in 2018 with more than 700 cobblestones used to replace deteriorated
railroad ties replacing the border.
2018 brings some new display materials to the interior of the
1915 Morrison Hill Station.
Portable phone. Similar to those in each of
the Portland-Lewiston Interurbans.
The Narcissus at Seashore Trolley Museum in the Donald G. Curry
Town House Restoration Shop with all 26 ornate leaded stained glass
windows temporarily in place in the clerestory for guests to see during the
benefit the Narcissus. PWM
The Narcissus shortly after having its trucks removed
and rolled out from under it. October 2017. Seen here is
the number 2 end. The same end that Theodore Roosevelt
leaned out the train door and waved at folks in Gray
during his August 18, 1914, trip. 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
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