Top screenshot from the 470 RR Club Facebook page - Bottom photo - O. R Cummings Coll. STM
Photos - STM
Photos - STM
Photos - PWM
Photos - STM
Click Here: for the Special Christmas Prelude Event on Thursday - December 5 - 9:30-4
at the new Maine Central Model Railroad Building - HO Scale - 3,000 feet
$3 admission - try your hand at operating - docent-guided tours - an interactive scavenger hunt and if weather permits, roasting marshmallows outside
Click Here: for the Special Christmas Prelude Event on Thursday - December 12 - 9:30-4
Photos - STM
Click Here: for the Christmas Prelude Trolley Rides Friday-Sunday, December 6-8 - 9:30-5:30
Click Here: for the Christmas Prelude Trolley Rides Friday-Sunday, December 13-15 - 9:30-5:30
Top left screenshot from Great Documentaries YouTube page
Top right photos of the front and back cover of the DVD of PWM
Click Here: to go to the YouTube documentary or click on the video below
Photos - PWM
The "Electric Road" lived up to the expectations set in 1910 :)
October 26, 1910, page 10, Lewiston Evening Journal article
on the construction of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston
Railroad. Shortly after the opening of the high-speed
electric railroad in July 1914, the name was changed to
the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Railroad. The caption
beneath the photo reads Hon. W. Scott Libbey, his son,
Harold, and Samuel Ferguson, grading on Gray Meadow.
(This page 10, with the date of Wednesday, October 26, 1910,
is actually located between pages 9 and 11 of the Thursday,
October 27, 1910, online edition of Lewiston Evening Journal).
The heart of the Lewiston railway system was Hulett Square. At the intersection
of Main and Lisbon Streets (left), in Lewiston. A Waterville-bound car
is shown turning into Lisbon Street, while a car from Bath stands in front of the
waiting room. Currently, J. Dostie Jewelers occupies the street-level space of
the building on the left, formally known as the "Journal" building. PWM postcard
The screenshot on the left is from the DigitalMaine.com online collection of the
"Men of the Hour" publication. Highlighting many Maine individuals
recognized as important to the State. A postcard of PWM and a screenshot
of a page from the Scrapbook of PLI Reunions in the O.R. Cummings Coll. at STM
Click Here: Winfield Scott Libbey 1851-1914 from Biographical Section - History of Maine
A selfie by PWM and a photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer at NEDCC
Click Here: to see the whole process of conserving the 1910 PG&LRR ROW surveyors' map
Click Here: to see the report and photos of comparisons of the 1910 surveyors' map to today
Photos of books in the Coll. of PWM
A photo from the 2015 NEERHS book,
The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946 by
O. R. Cummings and Charles D. Heseltine. A photo of a page in the Charles D. Heseltine
Coll. at Maine Historical Society.
The PLI Employees Reunion Scrapbook was made by Charles Heseltine with
help from former PLI employee, Oscar Atkins. Charles worked with the PLI
Reunion Committee and was thanked accordingly. Heseltine gave the
Scrapbook to his friend and electric railway history colleague, O. R. Cummings.
O. R. Cummings is the well-known and prolific publisher of dozens of books
on the histories of various electric railway companies. O. R. passed the
Scrapbook on to Seashore Trolley Museum's Library.
The contents (88 pages) of Scrapbook, including more than 200 photos,
were conserved and photographed in 2022 by the
Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, MA
Click Here: to see the post on Scrapbook (2016) and the hope for raising nearly $20,000 to conserve it
Photos below from the PLI Reunion Scrapbook - Charles Heseltine and Robert Melcher both Contributed
Click Here: for the post on Robert Melcher and being an ERA member (Electric Railroaders Association) and a member of the 470 Railroad Club
Click Here: for the post on Charles Heseltine and Robert Melcher establishing the Portland (Maine) Division of the the Electric Railroaders Association beginning in 1937
One of the many newspaper clippings was taped into the PLI Reunion Scrapbook.
The hand-written description next to the clipping reads; Lewiston Journal, July 2, 1909.
All photos inside the PLI Reunion Scrapbook. O. R. Cummings Coll. STM
A photo from the PLI Reunion Scrapbook. O. R. Cummings Coll. STM
Photos from the O. R. Cummings Coll. STM
Photos from the O. R. Cummings Coll. STM
Photos from the O. R. Cummings Coll. STM
Left: Photo in the Lewiston Evening Journal, May 18, 1914. Center:
Photo from O. R. Cummings Coll. STM. Right: The actual opening day of
service to the public received a short announcement on page 12 (back page)
of the Lewiston Evening Journal's July 2, 1914 issue.
The peak year would be 1920 when the PLI carried 531,440 passengers.
Click Here: to read the death of W. S. Libbey and newspaper articles about his life
The map is from the 2015 NEERHS book,
The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946.
Two photos from the PLI Reunion Scrapbook at STM. The image of the sign
and the carhouse photo are from the O. R. Cummings Coll STM
Click Here: Substations and Terminals of the PLI
The map is from the 2015 NEERHS book,
The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946.
The center photo from the O. R. Cummings Col. STM.
Upper right: from the PLI Reunion Scrapbook at STM.
Lower right: Photo PWM 2017
The map is from the 2015 NEERHS book,
The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946.
The upper center photo from the O. R. Cummings Col. STM.
Lower center: screenshot from the State of Maine online Lidar map.
Upper right: from the PLI Reunion Scrapbook at STM.
Lower right: Photo T. Blake 2020
The map is from the 2015 NEERHS book,
The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946.
Upper right: from the PLI Reunion Scrapbook at STM.
Lower center: screenshot from the State of Maine online Lidar map.
Lower right: Photo T. Blake 2020
The map is from the 2015 NEERHS book,
The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946.
Photo from the O. R. Cummings Col. STM.
The map and both photos are from the O. R. Cummings Col. STM.
The map and all three photos are from the O. R. Cummings Coll. STM.
Click Here: for the post on the Beginning of the Classic Interurban - July 2, 1914
Photo from the Gray Historical Society. The newspaper clipping:
Lewiston Evening Journal, August 19, 1914, page 5, "Of Local Interest."
Book cover photo by PWM
Left: O. R. Cummings Coll. STM. Right - PWM
Click Here: to see the post on the Morrison Hill Waiting Station
Click Here: to see the post on personal journals, newspaper clippings, and PLI Reunion notes.
All three photos: O. R. Cummings Coll. STM. Center screenshot:
State of Maine online Lidar map
Upper left Newspaper: STM Coll. Top right: O. R. Cummings Coll. STM.
Lower left Newspaper clipping: Lewiston Daily Sun - Page 13- April 9, 1934.
Upper right photo: O. R. Cummings Coll. STM
Lower Right: The PLI No. 22, Maine, as Brochu Diner in 1940 at
237-A Park Street, Lewiston. Next door to the Brochu Grocer at
239-A Park Street. Photo by David Gudas
Click Here: for the post, the End of the Classic Interurban - June 28, 1933
Click Here: for the post, What Happened to the Interurbans of the PLI after 1933?
Photos on left: O.R.Cummings Coll. STM - Right: PWM
Upper left: The Narcissus with "Sabattus Lake Diner" on the letterboard
on a lot at Sabattus Lake. Notations on the negative date
photo 1941. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum. Upper right: screenshot from O. R.
Cummings Coll. at Northeast Historic Films. Lower left: D. Henry Vallee
and his son, Dan Vallee inside the Narcissus - June 1965 - Vallee Photo
Upper left: Vallee photo - Narcissus on the STM Highway Monster trailer in
front of the new Vallee home on 10/31/1969. Lower left: Narcissus arrives at STM -
Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell Collection 10/31/1969
at Seashore Trolley Museum. On right: interior of the Narcissus - STM Coll.
Upper right screenshot of "Cell" phone from the Arbutus in the Gertrude Libbey
Anthony Collection at Maine Historical Society. Lower right: newspaper
clipping of one of the PLI "Cell" phones taped into the PLI Reunion Scrapbook - STM.
All other photos by PWM
Center and lower right photos by E. Eaton. Other photos by PWM
All photos by PWM
All photos by PWM
All photos by PWM
Upper left: advertisement. Both center photos by E. Eaton. The other photos - PWM.
Upper left: Tom Hughes photo 1995. All other photos by Ernie Eaton
All photos by PWM
Lower left: screenshot from the video by Ernie Eaton. Other photos - PWM
Click Here: to open the post "Testing the Westinghouse Multi-Unit System for the Narcissus"
The three photos - PWM. All #-D CAD screenshots were generated by Ernie Eaton.
Click Here: to see the post on the High School Intern from Portland and his work using Solidwork 3-D CAD for the Narcissus.
Upper left photo: O. R. Cummings Coll. STM. All 3-D CAD images
generated by Ernie Eaton
Lower right photo - PWM. All other photos by Ernie Eaton
Lower right photo - PWM. All other photos by Ernie Eaton
All Ernie Eaton photos
Upper left photo: PWM. 3-D CAD image generated by Ernie Eaton.
Other photos by Ernie Eaton
All 3-D CAD images generated by Ernie Eaton
All 3-D CAD images generated by Ernie Eaton
Click Here: to see the post, Virtual Tour 3-D CAD of the Narcissus
Lower right photo - PWM. All 3-D CAD images generated by Ernie Eaton
Photos of Millie book cover, bookmarks, and brochures - all PWM
We continue the restoration work on the Narcissus, the only surviving interurban coach of the PLI. Please consider making a donation to the Narcissus Project to help the restoration work continue to completion.
Click Here for the post that has the short virtual 3-D video of the digital model of the Narcissus, with components added to the file from earlier this year (the gold leaf file had not been added yet).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus. The Narcissus is more than 110 years old now and has so many incredible stories to share. The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one of those incredible stories.
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.
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
Seashore Trolley Museum Promo Video
The paperback edition of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride can be purchased online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's store website. Books purchased through the Museum's website directly benefit the Museum and the Narcissus project.
Click Here to go to the Museum Store web page to order online
Click Here to go to the Amazon page to order the ebook or audiobook online
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores in
Androscoggin Historical Society, Lewiston
Eliot Historical Society, Eliot
Gray Historical Society, Gray
Kennebec Historical Society, Augusta
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Welshpool, NB, Canada
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Winthrop Maine Historical Society, Winthrop
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
Illustrations by Amy J. Gagnon
Listen to a 2-minute, 30-second, Retail Audio Sample of the Audiobook
Millie Thayer is a headstrong farmer's daughter who chases her dreams in a way you would expect a little girl nicknamed "Spitfire" would run full tilt and with her eyes on the stars. Dreaming of leaving the farm life, working in the city, and fighting for women's right to vote, Millie imagines flying away on a magic carpet. One day, that flying carpet shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm. A fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. Despairing that her dreams may be shattered, Millie learns, in an unexpected way, that dreams can be shared.
A resource for teachers
Companion curriculum State-standard-based units,
vocabulary, and reading activities for use in grades 3-8
are available online as downloadable resources through
Seashore Trolley Museum's website
www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson units in Social Studies and ELA that were inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans for use in grades 6, 7, and 8 are easily adapted for use in grades 3-5. Vocabulary and Reading activities for grades 3-8 along with the eight lesson plan units are available free and may be downloaded through Seashore Trolley Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Go to the Teacher Resource Page in the pull-down for more details.
A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube
Award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive
Please Consider a Donation to the Narcissus Project to help us tell the incredible story of the Narcissus through the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project.
Here is an example of how donations to the Narcissus Project now will help with the interpretation portion of the project. The interpretation programming will include exhibits, displays, and education programming. In 2019, through generous donations to the Narcissus Project, we were able to conserve, replicate, and have high resolutions digital image files made of the original, 1910, 28.5-foot long, surveyor map of the elevation and grade of the 30-mile private right-of-way of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (Portland-Lewiston Interurban) Click Here
Thank You!
the crowd gathered in Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914.
Image courtesy of Gray Historical Society
The Narcissus as the Sabattus Lake Diner in Sabattus, Maine,
circa 1940. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
L. Henri Vallee (right) and family members in the
Narcissus, when it was Vallee's summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine circa 1958. Photo courtesy
Daniel Vallee
Inside the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Narcissus is in the midst of major work as we strive to complete its restoration. We are now planning the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Donations to the Narcissus Project may be used in the future to help tell the incredible 100-plus-year-old story of the Narcissus. Your donation to the Narcissus is helping to make the dream of the project's success, a reality.
See below for Donation options -
It starts with YOU
Your Donation Matters
Make a Donation TODAY
Please Help the Narcissus.
Donation Options to Help the Narcissus Project:
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society
is the 501c3 organization that owns and operates the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, and the National Streetcar
Museum in Lowell (MA).
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society registered with the IRS (EIN# 01-0244457) and was incorporated in Maine in 1941.
Check or Money Order ***** should be made payable to:
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
In the memo: for a donation to the Interpretation programming
please write: PLI Education Fund 817
For a donation to help with the restoration write: Narcissus Fund 816
Mail to: Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Credit Card ***** donations can be a one-time donation or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically each month. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, Jill, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2712 ext. 5.
Online Donations - may be made by using a Credit Card:
Click Here to make an online donation through the Museum's website - When at the Donation page: Fill in donor info, etc., when at "To which fund are you donating? Scroll down to "Other" and type: 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can email: finance@NEERHS.org and in the message box write:
For "Narcissus Fund 816" - if supporting the restoration
For "PLI Education Fund 817" - if supporting Interpretation programs
Donation of Securities ***** We also accept donations of
securities. You can contact the Museum bookkeeper, Jill, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2712 ext. 5,
for brokerage account information for accepting donated securities.
BONUS ***** If you work for a company/corporation that will
"match" an employee's donation to an approved 501c3 non-profit
educational organization, please be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your employer so that your donation is matched :)
Questions? ***** Please contact Narcissus project sponsor:
Phil Morse, narcissus@gmail.org or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Thank You :)
Thank You for our Current Funding Partners
* 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation - 2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Mass Bay RRE - 2018 Railroad Preservation Grant
* Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) - Staff & Alumni - Matching Grant Challenge 2014
* New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Kennebunkport, ME) - Member Donations
* Amherst Railway Society - 2015 Heritage Grant
* National Railway Historical Society - 2016 & 2015 Heritage Preservation Grants
* Enterprise Holding Foundation - 2015 Community Grant
* Theodore Roosevelt Association - Member Donations
* John Libby Family Association and Member Donations
* The Conley Family - In Memory of Scott Libbey 2018/2017/2016/2015
* The W. S. Libbey Family - Awalt, Conley, Graf, Holman, Libbey, McAvoy, McLaughlin, Meldrum, O'Halloran, Salto, - 2018/2017
* The Hughes Family 2017/2016/2010
* New Gloucester Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Public Library Association - Pat Barter Speaker Series
* Scarborough Historical Society - PRR/PLI
* LogMein - Matching Employee Donation
* IBM - Matching Employee/Retiree Donations
* Fidelity Charitable Grant - Matching Employee Donations
* Richard E. Erwin Grant - 2017/2016
The Narcissus, with interior back-lit, majestic stained glass windows.
Make a donation today to help restore the interior of this Maine gem.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track! Once restored,
you will be able to ride in luxury on this National Register Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
PWM photo
Please Consider Making a Donation to the project of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus. We are currently raising funds to advance the restoration and to tell the incredible story of this Maine gem.
Various News stories during the summer of 2015 about the
Narcissus and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. TR
was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
The Narcissus - July 31, 2015. Make a donation today.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track!
Once restored, you will be able to ride in luxury on this
National Historic Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
