March 22, 2018
Tony Castro, a gold leaf specialist, points
to gold leaf from the final center ceiling panel
from the no. 2 end of the Narcissus during his
inspection. Narcissus restoration team member
Ernie Eaton is on the right. Donald Curry with
a camera in hand is standing in the background.
PWM
Amy Cole Ives, President at Sutherland
Conservation & Consulting in Augusta, ME
using a high-tech tool to inspect the gold
leaf fleur-de-lis in the corner of the ceiling
panel. PWM
A test sample of the dark Pullman green
will be the exterior color of the Narcissus.
This sample was created from the results of the
at Sutherland Conservation & Consulting.
The dark primer was followed by the color coat.
During their operating years on the PLI, the
interurbans were sometimes called the "black"
cars. The color is definitely shiny.
Depending on the light, the color changes from
nearly black to olive green. PWM
All images are the same sample piece. PWM
Shiny. PWM
Olive green. still the same sample
board. PWM
Natural light with snow as the background.
Looks shiny black to me. PWM
Tony inspects the gold leaf fleur-de-lis.
PWM
These ceiling panels were originally painted
a Nile green, then the gold leaf was applied.
When a summer camp, the ceiling panels
were painted white. The gold leaf has worked
its way to the surface over the years. Here you
can see the fleur-de-lis in the corner.
PWM
Another image of the gold leaf fleur-de-lis. The petals seem
to be similar to those of a poppy. There seem to be light
"penciled-like" drawings in places. Tony mentioned this
was common practice to help accentuate a ribbon-like effect.
PWM
Tony is in search of the faded gold leaf lettering on
the exterior letterboard
of the Narcissus. PWM
Tony measured the original "N" in the gold leaf lettering
of the wooden interurban, Narcissus. PWM
Tony was able to see and measure the original "N" and "T"
of the word Interurban as seen here in an image of the
Narcissus. All the exterior letters and numbers were
done with gold leaf. STM Collection
This is one of the original destination roll signs from
the sister PLI coach to Narcissus, No. 10, Arbutus. The sign
is in the PLI collection of the Gray Historical Society.
We hope to gain permission to borrow this sign to use as a
template to make two reproduction signs to be used on
the Narcissus. The lettering will be done in gold leaf on
the Narcissus signs, as was original. The above
Arbutus sign was a gift to the Historical Society
from Gertrude Libbey Anthony, daughter of the builder
of the PLI, W. S. Libbey. PWM
March 21, 2018
Quality mahogany was acquired for use in making the sash for
the large stained glass "eyebrows". One eyebrow is located
above each pair of passenger windows. These boards are
20-inches wide and 19-inch wide and both are 4-quarters
in thickness. PWM
A template was used to outline the half arches.
Each arched sash has a left and right piece
that connects at the top of the arch and each
end connects to the horizontal crosspiece
at the base. PWM
This work took place at Lary Shaffer's Scarborough Marsh
Fine Furniture woodworking shop. Lary is seen here cutting
to separate a section of the board of the outlined pieces. PWM
Lary takes the section and then cuts away the
individual half-arch sections. PWM
Different view. PWM
Once the mahogany pieces are cut they must
sit for several days. The fibers in the wood
have to settle after the cut. PWM
Finished for the day. Original eyebrow with its
ornate leaded stained glass in its mahogany sash
in front of the newly cut halves, with a stack of
jigs behind the pile. Those jigs will be used to
guide each half to make the various cuts for the
contours and grooves to hold the glass.
LS photo
During the 2016 Teddy Roosevelt Days Event, the windows were in
place temporarily during the event so visitors could see
what was ahead for beauty. PWM
April 19, 2018.
About a month after the eyebrow sash
was first cut from the large mahogany boards, the half-arches
need their sides shaved to be flat. Each piece has a
different amount of warp to it that needs to be removed to
have the surface reach where its whole face is flat. If a
particular board is so warped that the side isn't flat until the
board width is too thin to use. Lary uses a caliper to measure
after each pass through the jointer or the planer. PWM
Initially eyeing where the high point is on the board. PWM
Lary passes the board through the jointer to work one side
towards being flat. It may take another pass or two. And the jointer
can be adjusted to take a little less wood or a little more.
PWM
Lary uses the caliper to see how much more wood he has
to remove to make the side flat before the board is too
thin to use. PWM
Once the first side is flat, the board will be passed through
the planer. It pulls the board through on its own. PWM
Lary measures the thickness of the board after passing it
through the planer. PWM
Lary points to where the planer still has not taken
away a section of rough fibers. One side is still not flat and
the calipers measure the board is now too thin to use.
This process will be repeated with each board. PWM
Lary places the three components that make a complete
eyebrow sash on a template of a complete window.
PWM
Examples of the various ornate leaded stained glass in their
mahogany sash. There are a total of forty leaded stained
glass windows in the Narcissus. PWM
The goal for recent grant applications has been for
tasks and materials for completing the interior work in
The Narcissus. These springs are the two styles needed for
the passenger seat backs and bottoms. Finding a source to
make these springs, one type, in particular, was not as easy
as one might think it would be. 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
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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