Narcissus Restoration Update - Mid-September 2016

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers

wire-brushed the iron carlines before painting with rust inhibitor

primer. The remaining ash wood roof ribs will be removed,

assessed, replaced, or repaired, sanded, primed, stained/painted,

and reinstalled. PWM

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

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

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

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

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

The roof ribs of Ashwood after repairs and sanding. PWM

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

Ribs before receiving stain/primer.
PWM

The stained portion of some ribs. PWM

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

Volunteer Jim Mackell, making the "blanks" of extensions necessary

to replace those that are missing on the Narcissus. DGC

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

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

Volunteers Jim Mackell and Dick Avy are "grooving" the 

vintage poplar for tongue-and-groove roof boards. DGC

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

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

The Narcissus tile has a neat history. See below PWM

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

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

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

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

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

Seashore Trolley Museum volunteer operator John Middleton is
91 years old, and is explaining to two of the Thornton Academy
Residential Life student volunteers, and he was an aerospace engineer

 (I like to say John is a rocket scientist :) and designed testing
equipment that landed safely on the surface of the moon! This
life lesson teaches that volunteers at the Trolley Museum come
with a wide variety of professional skills. PWM

Volunteer John Middleton operating the 1901 Connecticut Company

open car No. 303 - Thornton Academy Residential Life student

volunteers enjoy a ride to the Pumpkin Patch. PWM

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

Ad in Classic Trains Magazine 8-2016
PWM

Ad in Trains Magazine 8-2016
PWM

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

We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

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 captivate, fascinate, and then generate 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 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