May 19, 1916. The PLI ended service on June 29, 1933.
The Narcissus is the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach
from the PLI. The Narcissus is currently under restoration at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME.
Image from DGC/ORC slide.
This post is a companion to the slide presentation program done by Phil Morse as a guest speaker for the Falmouth Memorial Library and Falmouth300 (the presentation includes Donald Curry presenting on the restoration of the Narcissus currently underway at Seashore Trolley Museum) and was made at the West Falmouth Baptist Church on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. The images and text are from various sources, including some that belong to Phil Morse. Other sources will be noted. Much of the text and many of the images were drawn from various books released by O. R. Cummings. O. R. wrote more than fifty books on electric railway systems throughout New England. O. R. passed away early in 2013. He was a member/volunteer at the New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Seashore Trolley Museum) starting in 1947, serving as its historian for many, many years. O. R. was a personal friend and is dearly missed.
A great turnout! Donald Curry from Seashore Trolley
Museum in Kennebunkport, ME discusses the Narcissus
restoration with the assembled guests attending the
Falmouth300 & Falmouth Memorial Library
April 17, 2018 presentation on the Portland-Lewiston
Interurban. PWM
The Narcissus /PLI display with items for sale to
benefit the Narcissus project at the presentation,
Tuesday, April 17, 2018. PWM
The Portland-Lewiston Interurban 1910-1933
The Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI) operated in West Falmouth from 1914 until 1933 and carried a total of 7.3. million passengers traveling between Portland and Lewiston. Serving the communities of Lewiston, Auburn, New Gloucester, Gray, West Cumberland, West Falmouth, and Portland. Operating over some 30 miles of well-ballasted private right-of-way and trackage rights into both Portland and Lewiston. The PLI was special, a jewel that was cherished by its employees and patrons alike.
First, we will briefly visit the early years of the electric railway service in Falmouth. The Portland & Yarmouth Electric Railway was awarded its charter on November 21, 1894. In 1895, the company obtained locations in Portland, Deering, Falmouth, Cumberland, & Yarmouth. A change in ownership occurred early in 1897, followed by controversies that led to legal action. Finally, in August of 1897, the construction of the line started. The rebuilding of Tukey's Bridge delayed the completion of the railway for a year. Service from Portland to the Cumberland/Yarmouth town line was opened on August 1, 1898. The balance of the line to the Grand Trunk Railroad depot at Yarmouth was completed on August 18, 1898.
First, we will briefly visit the early years of the electric railway service in Falmouth. The Portland & Yarmouth Electric Railway was awarded its charter on November 21, 1894. In 1895, the company obtained locations in Portland, Deering, Falmouth, Cumberland, & Yarmouth. A change in ownership occurred early in 1897, followed by controversies that led to legal action. Finally, in August of 1897, the construction of the line started. The rebuilding of Tukey's Bridge delayed the completion of the railway for a year. Service from Portland to the Cumberland/Yarmouth town line was opened on August 1, 1898. The balance of the line to the Grand Trunk Railroad depot at Yarmouth was completed on August 18, 1898.
No. 3, an 1897 combination car. Express (light freight) and
passengers were both carried. O. R. Cummings
"Portland Railroad, January 1957.
Martin's Point Bridge between Portland and Falmouth.
From the NEERHS 2015 book, "The Illustrated Atlas of
Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946."
A half-hour schedule between Portland and Yarmouth was placed in effect, the nearly thirteen-mile route having a one-hour running time. The Portland Railroad took stock control of the Portland & Yarmouth line on December 11, 1900.
The route of the Yarmouth line; Monument Square via Elm and Oxford Streets to Washington Avenue; Washington Avenue to Veranda Street; Veranda Street to Martin's Point Bridge; Route One through Falmouth and Cumberland Foresides to Yarmouth; Pleasant and Main Streets to Grand Trunk Depot in Yarmouth. 12.44 miles. Services on the Yarmouth line, outward from the Marine Hospital, were abandoned on June 29, 1933. The same-day service ended for the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
From the NEERHS 2015 book, "The Illustrated Atlas of
Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946."
From O. R. Cummings' 1957 book,
"Part 1 - Portland Railroad."
Falmouth had Maine's only electric fountain at Underwood Spring Park.
The Portland & Yarmouth Electric Railway opened the park in the summer
of 1899.
The Portland & Yarmouth Electric Railway opened the park in the summer
of 1899.
Built upon an underground spring that gushed forth a quarter of a million
gallons of healthy water every 24 hours. Day-trippers from Portland
could depart Monument Square every 30 minutes, every 15 minutes during
peak times. 20 cents roundtrip. Every evening between 8 and 9 p.m.,
an engineer would operate the electric fountain, manipulating its
controls to create a shifting rainbow of color in the water. The casino and
theater burned down in 1907 and were never rebuilt. Text and images from
2012 NEERHS book, "The Trolley Parks of Maine."
Trolley car No. 253 was built in 1912, seen here derailed at Skillins Corner
in Falmouth Foreside. The crew is "cutting the high centers" of the snow.
From the NEERHS 2015 book, "The Illustrated Atlas of
Maine's Street & Electric Railways 1863-1946."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
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