Narcissus Restoration Work Continues - First Public Lecture 3-4-2018

The left side of the Narcissus as seen from the visitor gallery in the

Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop at

Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. PWM

     The work to remove each of the bolts that secure the two 37-foot southern yellow pine side sills to their respective channel iron encasements has been challenging. These bolts must be removed so that the side sills can then be separated from the vertical posts and floor mounts. Once separated from the body, the wooden side sills will be separated from the channel-iron encasements. Close inspection and assessment will then be made of the sill and the channel iron, followed by the decision on whether the sills/channels are repairable or will need to be replaced. 

The right side of the Narcissus. PWM

Ernie Eaton has been working hard to remove the bolts

from the side sill. These bolts have been in place since

1912. The build-up of rust has caused the bolts to become

impacted. The head of each bolt was recessed into the sill.

PWM

     The removal of these bolts required a variety of tools. A particular tool that may be useful and effective for removing one bolt was not effective with other bolts. The removal of the final 30 or 40 bolts required a special tool that was designed and made by Ernie specifically to address the special nature of the placement and condition of the rusted bolts.

Ernie is pointing to the air hammer used effectively to

force-drive some bolts out for removal. PWM

These bolts will not be refurbished and reinstalled. PWM

Using 3-inch channel steel, Ernie created this very effective

tool by welding pieces together in such a way that the tool cradles

 a 20-ton hydraulic jack and be used

to extract the rusty bolts from the embedded cocoon. PWM

Ernie's hydraulic jack set-up is in place. PWM

There is a steel plate on the inside resting against the

end of the bolt. As pressure is applied to the jack, the steel

plate presses the end of the bolt. Soon, the head of the bolt

emerges from the recessed hole in the side sill. Then the

bolts can be removed. PWM

The rusty end of a bolt on the inside of the side sill sandwich. PWM

Head of the rusted bolts before being removed. PWM

Finally!  Only..... 37 to go :) PWM

     Another project that has moved forward is stripping and repairing the thin, poplar panels that fit up under the soffit of the clerestory roofline, tucked in around the roof ribs on the left side of the Narcissus. 

The red marks show you where the thin poplar panels 

are located.

Some of the poplar panels before having the many

layers of paint and varnish removed. PWM

Stripping layers of old paint & varnish is messy work. The notches are

where the roof ribs pass through. PWM

All panels were stripped, cleaned, and repaired. Several

panels needed "new" old-growth poplar replacement pieces

attached where there were missing sections. PWM

These are scrap pieces of old-growth poplar that were leftover from replacement pieces being made for the ends

of the exterior arched frames of the Narcissus.  These scraps

were just right for use on the poplar panels. PWM

      The several pieces that needed old-growth poplar replacement repairs were handed over to Seashore Trolley Museum volunteer, Carl Mabee. His dentistry skills have served him well as he applied those talents to become a skilled trolley restoration technician to these 106-year-old poplar panels.

Say AAAAHHHHH!!! CM

Perfect! CM

Smile!!! CM

Incisors are the most challenging. CM

We may need to keep an eye on this one? We'll make

a note in your records to look at this on your next visit. 

CM

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

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