The End of a Classic Interurban - June 28, 1933

The June 21st announcement of the coming of the end of Maine's finest and fastest electric

railway, the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. The original newspaper is in the collection of the

Seashore Trolley Museum Library.

PWM image.

No. 10, Arbutus, running as Train 37, made the last eastbound trip over the

Interurban, leaving Portland at 11:05 p.m. on June 28, 1933. Left to right are:

John I. Cluff, William M. Jones, Albion M. Conant, Ralph Shaw, "Joe Happy",

Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony, and Charles H. Mitchell.

Image from O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum Library.

Portland-Lewiston Interurban - R.I.P.

Image from O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum Library.

Awaiting their fate at the Androscoggin & Kennebec Car House Yard in

Lewiston, No. 20, Magnolia, No. 14, Narcissus, and No. 22, Maine c 1933-34
Image from O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum Library.

As the country was still deep in the Depression, there was no market for the

passenger or freight equipment of the PLI. At least five of the passenger car bodies

were sold to private parties. The No. 10, Arbutus went to Mrs. Gertrude Libbey

Anthony in Saco, ME, No.s. 40 and 42 to South Casco to be used for storage.

No. 22, Maine became a diner on Park Street in Lewiston, No. 14, Narcissus

became a summer camp in Sabattus, and for a while, No. 18, Azalea was located

on West Rose Hill, overlooking the Androscoggin River in Auburn.

Details from O. R. Cummings' 1967,
Maine's Fast Electric Railroad-Portland-Lewiston Interurban. The original

letter is in the collection of the Seashore Trolley Museum Library.

PWM image.

The Arbutus, sister to the Narcissus, was purchased by Mrs. Gertrude Libbey

Anthony in 1933. Mrs. Gertrude, a daughter of the innovative businessman who

created the Portland-Lewiston Interurban system, W. S. Libbey, kept the

Arbutus as a memorial to her late father from 1933 till it was scrapped in 1946.

Interestingly, most of the ornate leaded stained glass windows and mahogany

sash from the clerestory survived and came to Seashore Trolley Museum in 2001,

from the Shoreline Trolley Museum. Image from O. R. Cummings' 1967,

Maine's Fast Electric Railroad-Portland-Lewiston Interurban.

J Henry Vallee and his son, Daniel Vallee relax inside the

Narcissus, the family summer camp

in Sabattus, Maine from 1934 to 1969. The kitchen-dining room in the

background was an addition attached to the body

of the Narcissus. Dated June 1965 - Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

The Narcissus is ready to leave the Vallee property and travels to its new home

at the Seashore Trolley Museum. Late October 1969. The Narcissus is now

undergoing restoration. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

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

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!

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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