Saturday, April 30, 2016

Narcissus Restoration Update - Mahogany Sash Passenger Windows - 4-29-2016

One of the two, first, completely restored original mahogany sash
passenger windows from the 1912 Narcissus. The original brass components
were placed in position, for this photo, and are not yet secured.
This beautiful restoration/repair/rebuild work on the mahogany sash windows
is being done by a Seashore Trolley Museum member/volunteer
Jim MacKell. 4-25-2016 PWM
Click Here to see more on the Beautiful Brass of the Narcissus

     The historic 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus, entered the Town House Restoration Shop of the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, on May 20, 1015
Upon entering the shop, the materials contained within the Narcissus were identified, assessed, inventoried, and in some cases, removed and stored for work at a later time. The Narcissus resides on tracks in the unheated portion of the shop. So, during the coldest months of winter, smaller items that need restoration may receive the necessary attention either in the heated portion of the shop or, in some cases, at a volunteer's home or at a contractor's place of business.

     This Narcissus Project Blog post pertains to the mahogany sash and glass of the twenty-six passenger windows. Eighteen originals have survived in various conditions of disrepair. Restoration/repair/rebuilding began during the winter months (2015-16) at the woodworking shop at the home of Museum volunteer Jim MacKell.

Jim MacKell holding an original Narcissus passenger window sash with the
Narcissus Car No. 14 and window opening number 25 are embedded. One
can determine which window opening by standing inside the Narcissus, and
while looking forward, towards the No. one end, start with the first window
opening on the front, on the right-hand side, and count the window openings.
Numbers #1 through # 13 are on the right from the No. 1 end to the No. 2 end.
Opening #14 is the first window opening on the left side at the No. 2 end. 
So, with that system in mind, the above sash and mahogany window #25
next to # 26. They are the pair of windows at the smoking compartment
on the left side of the Narcissus, as you look towards the No. 1 end.
See the image below, 4-25-2016 PWM

Here is an image of Narcissus taken from an advertisement. The first pair of
passenger windows seen on the left are #26 and #25. The ad is for
promoting the new patented trolley "shoe" to replace the traditional trolley
wheel that would conduct the electricity from the overhead wire to power
the various electric vehicles. STM image.

One of the eighteen original mahogany sash windows from the Narcissus,
while being assessed, 9-7-2015. Each of the surviving windows and sashes was in various stages of disrepair. Some of the lower horizontal "rails" will
not be salvageable. Some of the rails and stiles will have new mahogany
repairs spliced and blended with the original.
9-7-2015 PWM 

Narcissus mahogany passenger window stile
in need of repair. 4-25-2016 PWM

     The video below is the first in this post with Seashore Trolley Museum member/volunteer Jim MacKell explaining the steps he has taken as he restores/repairs/rebuilds the mahogany sash and windows for the Narcissus.


     The video below is the second in this post with Seashore Trolley Museum member/volunteer Jim MacKell explaining the steps he has taken as he restores/repairs/rebuilds the mahogany sash and windows for the Narcissus.


Phil Morse holding a new mahogany window stile for Narcissus with the
radius curve cut clearly visible. 4-25-2016 PWM

Jim MacKell holding a restored Narcissus passenger sash showing the
radius curve and the two routers in the background to cut the
male-female curves. 4-25-2016 PWM

New mahogany rails and stiles will become one of the handful of
passenger windows that will replace missing windows in the Narcissus.
4-25-2016 PWM

     The video below is the third in this post with Seashore Trolley Museum member/volunteer Jim MacKell explaining the steps he has taken as he restores/repairs/rebuilds the mahogany sash and windows for the Narcissus.


Jim MacKell inserts a brass screw to secure the newly restored
Narcissus passenger, sash window. 4-25-2016 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
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
 Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive

Friday, April 29, 2016

Theodore Roosevelt Maine Conservation Award Ceremony - Maine Woods Forever 4-15-2016

Breaux Higgins (R) accepts the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Conservation
Award from John Rust (L) of Maine Woods Forever.
Image courtesy of MWF

Maine Woods Forever announces winners of the 2016

"Teddy Roosevelt Maine Conservation Award"

For more information
John Rust, chairman Teddy Roosevelt Maine Conservation Award Committee
207-337-5858

Unity, Maine - Maine Woods Forever is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2016 "Teddy Roosevelt Maine Conservation Award" - a youth-oriented award created to recognize young people and youth groups whose efforts are in the spirit of Roosevelt's conservation ethic and achievements. The award recognizes what Maine's youth are doing to appreciate and conserve our forest heritage. It also encourages them to become future conservation leaders.

The 2016 awards were announced on April 15, 2016, at Maine Woods Forever's 33rd Roundtable event, held at Unity College's Center for the Performing Arts.

"The Teddy Roosevelt Maine Conservation Award honors today's young people and the legacy of America's most celebrated conservationist, President Theodore Roosevelt," notes John Rust, chairman of the award committee. "Many credit his rugged sojourns in Maine during the late 1800s with shaping his determination to conserve our natural world.
This year's awardees have clearly lived up to this ethic."

Awards were presented to:

1) Breaux Higgins, an Eagle Scout from Bar Harbor, was presented, an award for an individual youth who has shown outstanding dedication, leadership, and strong and steady growth in exhibiting Maine's conservation ethic. One notable project was to restore Bates Cairns at Acadia National Park and increase the public's awareness of their use and significance.

Bates Cairns are stone trail markers. They suffer from significant chronic vandalism because hikers may not fully understand their meaning. Park visitors (2.5 million in 2015 - PWM) add or remove rocks from the cairns, build new ones pointing in different directions even destroy them completely. This behavior is a safety issue. It leads hikers astray. A natural resource issue. Rocks are taken from the already thin mountain soil, and an aesthetic issue. These man-made objects clutter the beautiful natural landscape.

Breaux partnered with the US National Park Service staff at Acadia for his Eagle Scout Service Project to offer a multidimensional service project to optimize the promotion of preservation and safety. Breaux developed a program to educate the public by raising awareness of the meaning of the Bates Cairns in Acadia and combined the simple message of the cairns with principles of Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. His message reached a substantial number of visitors and, more importantly, created a program that can be sustained by Parks and volunteer staff.

Massabesic Middle School's 7th Grade Aroostook Team
accepts the Teddy Roosevelt Maine Conservation Award (front:
7th Team members, Andrew Lawpaugh, Brenna Ramsdell,
Back: John Rust of Maine Woods Forever. 7th-grade science
teacher, Patrick Parent).
Image courtesy of MWF

2) The Massabesic Middle School's 7th grade Aroostook Team was presented an award for outstanding achievement by a youth organization to recognize their many collaborations as citizen scientists to study and then educate the public about many environmental conditions concerning Maine's forests. These have included:

* The 2nd Annual Invasive Species Forum, which reached over 100 community members and hundreds more of their peers;
* Collaborating with the Vital Signs Program as well as state entomologists and Forest Service employees to present their work;
* Contributing to Maine Project Learning Tree's biannual newsletter, which reached over 1,200 educators and natural resource professionals throughout the State;
* Participating in Invasive Plant Patrol training and certification, Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program;
* Assisting the York County Soil and Water Conservation District with a survey of the state-endangered New England Cottontail;
* Surveying their hometowns for forest pests such as red pine scale (Matsucoccus Matsumura), hemlock wooly adelgid (Adelges Tsugae), and winter moth (Operophtera spp).

The award was accepted by 7th-grade Aroostook Team students, Brenna Ramsdell, and Andrew Lawpaugh, both of Limerick, and their 7th-grade science teacher, Patrick Parent.

"Each year, this group of about eighty 7th graders impact and influence others because they experience their natural world, its complexities, and its importance," said Pat Maloney, Coordinator of Maine Project Learning Tree. "They communicate their passions, their knowledge, and their appreciation of the Maine woods as a natural system in need of human understanding."

"The Aroostook Team's work will have lasting impacts beyond their graduation. The influence these students have had on the Vital Signs community of scientists, managers, educators, and fellow students is a testament to their dedication to Maine's forests." - Team Vital Signs (Christine Voyer, Molly Auclair, and Caroline Casals), Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Portland, Maine.

John Rust (L) of Maine Woods Forever, presenting the Theodore Roosevelt
Maine Conservation Award to the Rangeley Region Guides & Sportsmen's
Association represented by Sam Spaulding (R). Image courtesy of MWF

3) The Rangeley Region Guides & Sportsmen's Association was presented an award for outstanding achievement by a youth organization to recognize their Junior Guides Program, which offers children ages 9 through 12, as well as graduate Junior Counselors (ages 13-18), an exceptional outdoor skills education and experience. Sam Spaulding accepted the award on behalf of the Rangeley Region Guides & Sportsmen's Association.

"This program has done an excellent job of educating, preserving, and protecting the future of our natural resources while sharing the rich outdoor traditions and history of the region," said Bill Pierce, Executive Director of the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum in Rangeley. "The program has had alumni return every year as Junior Counselors who volunteer and help indoctrinate new Jr. Guides. In a word....it has created LEADERS."

Pierce adds. "The children of the Rangeley community, often from single-parent or overly-busy families that may not have otherwise had these experiences, benefit greatly. Parents have witnessed its lasting rewards highlighted in the sun-kissed faces and rousing stories of their now empowered and confident children."

Congratulations to all.

Maine Woods Forever

Maine Woods Forever is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and protecting the legacy of Maine's forests and woodlands. Maine Woods Forever was founded in 2004 to foster collaboration between the many people and organizations devoted to conserving our forests and woodlands for today and future generations. For further information, please visit:

Additional Background About the "Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Award"

Award Criteria

The Teddy Roosevelt Maine Conservation Award is given to youths or youth organizations who demonstrate a commitment to Maine's forests and woodlands, and those accomplishments may include:


* Effectively working alone or with others in educating others on the importance of conserving Maine's forests and woodlands, large and small
* Outstanding contributions toward conserving Maine's forests and woodlands
* Leadership in local, regional, or statewide projects increases awareness by the public at large of a significant issue relating to Maine's forests and woodlands
* Educating and increasing public awareness of the heritage of the Maine Woods.
* Improving the quality of life in the Maine woods-dependent communities
* Fostering an increased appreciation of Maine woods resources
* Fostering stewardship of private forestland
* Fostering or supporting a conservation organization or foundation seeking to conserve large tracts of land and wildlife
* Forming or fostering alliances between conservation organizations
* Making improvements in the quality of conservation and/or conservation education

Special attention is paid to unsung nominees who have achieved success not otherwise recognized. Weight is given to leadership qualities demonstrated by inspiring others to participate in or influence conservation and education practices.

Qualifications for the Award:

* Must involve activities within Maine
* Must be age 10 through High School (applicants older than 18 are acceptable if still attending High School) or youth organizations whose conservation projects primarily involve youths of these ages.

###

From the Narcissus 1912 Renovation Project Blogger - Phil Morse

I have attended each of the past two Maine Woods Forever Roundtable gatherings at Unity College in Unity, Maine. I have thoroughly enjoyed the setting of the meetings, the guest speakers,  the opportunity to meet representatives of the various organizations in attendance, and the opportunity to make new friends. As a member of two nonprofit organizations that have direct connections to Theodore Roosevelt; the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine with its historic 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus, the luxurious high-speed interurban in which, Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger between Lewiston, ME, and Portland, ME on August 18, 1914,  and also the New England Chapter of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (Oyster Bay, NY), I'm delighted with the Maine Woods Forever's annual presentation of their Theodore Roosevelt Maine Conservation Award.

The Narcissus 1912 Renovation Blog was started a year ago with the intent to share information relating to Theodore Roosevelt and his connections in Maine, his connection to the Narcissus, the restoration of the National Register of Historic Places, Narcissus, and its relationship to Maine's railway history.

Here are links you may find of interest:

Click Here - Theodore Roosevelt First Visited Maine as a Young Teenager
Click Here - Theodore Roosevelt International Highway - Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon
Click Here - Theodore Roosevelt's Bible Point in Island Falls, Maine
Click Here - Theodore Roosevelt Grieved in Dark Harbor, Maine
Click Here - Theodore Roosevelt Association and the Narcissus
Click Here - Theodore Roosevelt Artifacts in Maine - at Trolley Museum 8-5 through 8-7, 2016
Click Here - Great, great, great-granddaughter of Narcissus owner visits Trolley Museum
Click Here - Troy R. Bennett's Musical adaptation, ode to The Grand Old Interurban
Click Here - Oral History - Clyde Walker Pierce, Jr reminisces, days during the trolleys of Maine
Click Here - Ninety Communities in Maine had Electric Railway Service - 57 Million Riders 1915

If you have any questions concerning the Narcissus Project and the Theodore Roosevelt connections in Maine, please contact me, Phil Morse, at p.morse31@gmail.com or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Click Here - for the Narcissus Project Blog
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
 Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Narcissus Restoration Update - Part 3 - Exterior Poplar Frames 4-22-2016

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 grooves 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.

    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. The
new vintage poplar arched frame segments 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 jigs 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 resting in a vise.
Waiting for the glued "fingers" that now
connect the original poplar to the new vintage poplar end.
PWM

The first video (below) has Lary explaining, creating, and using a couple of the shapers. And the use of the router table with different blades.


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
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
 Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive

Sunday, April 24, 2016

2016 NRHS Heritage Grants Awards $3,000 to the Narcissus Project!



I am so happy to report that The National Railway Historical Society has awarded the Narcissus project a $3,000 2016 Heritage Preservation Grant for restoration work on the exterior of the historic interurban!

From: BobKornreich <bobkornreich@gmail.com>
Subject: NRHS Heritage Grant/New England Electric Railway Historical Society, Inc.
Date: April 24, 2016 at 5:00:48 PM GMT-4
To: randy@leclair.biz

Congratulations, your organization has been awarded an NRHS Heritage Grant.  See the attached documents relating to receipt of the grant.  Please
acknowledge receipt of this email and attachments. 

Robert M. Kornreich, Chair, NRHS Heritage Grants Committee

One of the attached letters:

On behalf of the National Railway Historical Society and its Heritage Grants Committee, I am pleased to advise that your organization has been awarded a Heritage Grant for 2016 of $ 3,000 for the purpose of purchasing materials for portions of the exterior restoration of the interurban car, the “Narcissus”.  The 2016 NRHS awards for Heritage Grants have been posted on the NRHS website, NRHS.com.

Click Here - To see the list of all recipients for the 2016 NRHS Heritage Grant Awards.
Click Here - NRHS Facebook page

The $3,000 2016 NRHS Heritage Grant Award for the Narcissus will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation through their current match grant challenge!
Please Join In
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
 Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive

Narcissus Restoration Update - Part 2 - Exterior Poplar Frames - 4-22-2016

Narcissus Project Sponsor Phil Morse, pointing to the single-window
exterior poplar frame placement is on the right side of the number two end of
Narcissus. Donald Hutchinson photo

     This Narcissus Blog post is the second in a series that relates to the exemplary woodwork being done with the exterior poplar frames by Museum member/volunteer, Lary Shaffer. The exterior poplar frames hold the mahogany sash/frames that contain the ornate leaded stained glass windows that are above each passenger window. The image above shows the single passenger window that is on each side of the number 2 end of the Narcissus. All the other exterior poplar frames are larger, and each spans a pair of passenger windows. Lary is working on the poplar frames in his Scarborough Marsh Fine Furniture woodworking shop.

Click Here: to view the first post in this series and to see Lary's bio.

Lary Shaffer assessed a board of reclaimed vintage Poplar in his
woodworking shop at Scarborough Marsh Fine Furniture. The
reclaimed Poplar is being used in rebuilding/repairing the exterior
frames of the Narcissus. PWM

     One of the challenges today, when restoring a historic wooden interurban that was built in 1912 with wood that was available at the time, is finding wood products that are similar to those originally used. We think in terms of "old growth" or "reclaimed", "recycled", or perhaps, "vintage" wood. The Narcissus has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places, along with nine other Maine Railway vehicles at the Seashore Trolley Museum. Finding wood materials for the restoration that are as close to those used originally is very important. The Museum is very fortunate to have found a local supplier in southern Maine that has had great success supplying the Museum with period wood for previous restorations like the 1906 electric locomotive, Atlantic Shore Line No. 100. John Rousseau of Rousseau Reclaimed Lumber (formerly Barnstormers) has been able to supply the Town House Restoration Shop with some wonderful vintage Poplar for use by Lary to repair/rebuild the exterior Poplar frames of the Narcissus. One of the earmarks of a great piece of vintage wood is the number of growth rings of the tree that the board has come from. A very close series of rings will tell us that the tree was growing in a heavily wooded forest and was forced to grow more slowly due to the competition for sunlight and growing space.

The very tight growth ring pattern is clearly visible on the poplar wood supplied
by Rousseau Reclaimed Lumber. Notice the rings nearer the heart (left) of
the tree are wider, and as the tree grew, the rings are closer and closer together.
Evidence that more space and sunlight were available to the tree when it was a young sapling.
PWM

The first video in this post (below) has Lary explaining part of the planning process for working on the exterior Poplar frames of the Narcissus.



Lary uses the template he created to assess the newly constructed,
 exterior Poplar frame. This early-stage frame will go
through many more steps before it is a finished product. This series
of videos has Lary taking the viewer through the various stages.

     The second video in this post has Lary explaining more of the various stages that are required in the process of repairing /rebuilding the exterior Poplar frames of the Narcissus. These video clips were taken over two days. The videos in the series of blog posts may not necessarily be in the order the original video was taken. So, some references by Lary may seem out of place...FYI.


The Next post in the series will be released in the next day or so.
I hope you are enjoying them :) Let me know...

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 3 of the exterior poplar framework
Click Hereto 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
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
 Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Narcissus Restoration Update - Exterior Poplar Frames - Part 1 - 4-22-2016

The license plate is on an interior wall in Seashore Trolley Museum
member/volunteer Lary Shaffer's Scarborough Marsh Fine Furniture
woodworking shop.  PWM

     Lary's father was an admirer of Franklin D. Roosevelt and had this license plate on his auto. As luck would have it, recently, Harvard University commissioned Lary to replicate, in detail, several significant pieces of furniture as part of the restoration of FDR's dormitory room at Harvard. Lary is currently restoring/rebuilding exterior poplar window frames for the 1912 Portland-Lewiston, No. 14, Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914. Lary's grandfather was a conductor on the maiden trip between Portland and Boston of the Flying Yankee on April 1, 1935. See more on Lary's and his Railway & Railroad family heritage below. 

Click Here - FDR's Dorm Room Renovation work by Lary
Click Here - FDR Foundation & Adams House at Harvard

     Each of the past two days, I had the pleasure of spending some time with Lary Shaffer in his Scarborough Marsh Fine Furniture woodworking shop in Scarborough, Maine. Lary allowed me to take pictures and video of him as he was working on rebuilding, and in some cases restoring, the exterior poplar frames from the Narcissus. The exterior poplar frames hold the ornate leaded stained glass windows and their mahogany sash/frames. Videos below. 

The first and second eyebrows. Notice the leaded stained glass sash
being held in place by the arched exterior frames. STM

Lary Shaffer, working to remove the 100+-year-old iron screw
from up inside the exterior frame that holds the large eyebrow sash and stained
glass windows. PWM

     Several video clips were recorded over the two days. Each takes the viewer through the various steps Lary has developed, and is implementing in his efforts to rebuild/restore/recreate the various segments that make up these, poplar wood frames. These clips are not shown here necessarily in the order they were taken. So, you may hear a reference here and there to points made earlier, when actually, you may not have seen the referenced footage yet :) There will be more than one blog post to share all the work being done by Lary on the Narcissus exterior poplar frames.

This first clip (below) will give you some background on the
first steps of dealing with the original exterior poplar frame
segments. PWM


"Tails" that Lary refers to in the above video. The tails are
the extensions that run from the top of the exterior poplar frames and
are horizontal with the body of the Narcissus. Removed
in the initial dismantling of the frame segments. The tails in this image
are in great shape and will need very little attention as they are
prepared to be reconnected to the restored/repaired frame segments.
PWM

Poplar wood frame segment after having its "tail" removed. PWM

The same poplar frame segment as above. You can see the tiny triangular
piece of vertical sheathing in what was the corner where the tail extended
away from the top of the frame segment. Lary mentions in the video
above and shows where this tiny triangular piece is tucked in tightly in
the corner. PWM

This second clip (below) is of Lary's mid-to-late 1800s lathe
and his use of it for turning wooden "plugs" for the exterior
poplar frames. PWM


     Finding wood materials for the restoration that are as close to those used originally is very important. The Museum is very fortunate to have found a local supplier in southern Maine that has had great success supplying the Museum with period wood for previous restorations like the 1906 electric locomotive, Atlantic Shore Line No. 100. John Rousseau of Rousseau Reclaimed Lumber (formerly Barnstormers) has been able to supply the Town House Restoration Shop with some wonderful vintage Poplar for use by Lary to repair/rebuild the exterior Poplar frames of the Narcissus.

This third clip (below) is of Lary giving some background about how he became a volunteer working with Seashore Trolley
Museum and the Narcissus.
PWM


Click Here: to see Part 2 of the exterior poplar framework
Click Here: to see Part 3 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

Seashore Trolley Museum Member-Volunteer Lary Shaffer

 Seashore Trolley Museum member/volunteer Lary Shaffer, in an earlier
career, is in a BBC publicity shot at the camera with Niko Tinbergen,
who directed some of the programs. The monster lens, Nikkon-800mm, was very useful in getting close-ups of shy
animals. Image from LS

Railway and Railroad Roots in Lary's Family

Ernest Moody, Lary's Grandfather, worked for the B & M Railroad
for 55 years. Image from LS

     Lary speaking of his grandfather: "Grandpa's 55 years at the B & M did not seem amazing when I was growing up, but I certainly appreciate it now. He worked for two years on the Boston Elevated before he went to the Boston & Maine, and that is my tiny streetcar bloodstream. He had sufficient seniority at the B & M, so he was the conductor on the first Portland to Boston run of the stainless steel diesel-electric Flying Yankee on 1 April 1935. Here he is (above), and also his logbook for that day. It shows how stoic he was that it was simply recorded as "6000 Motor". I think I would have had to put an exclamation mark or something after that entry. The Yankee must have looked like something from the futuristic space travel among all the steam engines. He notes "5-speed restrictions" in the log. Without those, the Yankee made the trip an hour faster than the current Downeaster. However, the Yankee was nonstop, so I guess that was cheating."

Lary's Woodworking Shop



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
 Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive