1900 Biddeford & Saco Railroad open trolley car No 31
in operation at Seashore Trolley Museum on June 17, 1999,
the day before being loaded on a low flatbed trailer in
preparation for traveling back to Saco, Maine. Car 31 would
be on "tour" for a week, visiting its old neighborhoods in
Saco, Biddeford, and Old Orchard Beach as part of the
60th Anniversary Celebration for Seashore Trolley Museum.
Ten days later, the balance of $42 was paid to complete the
purchase. Car 31 left Saco on July 15, 1939, and traveled to
its new home in North Kennebunkport. The purchase of
Car 31, made it the first trolley car, anywhere in the world,
to be acquired by individuals for the purpose
to start a trolley museum.
2019 will be Seashore Trolley Museum's 80th Anniversary!
Reflection - Twenty years ago, in preparation for Seashore Trolley Museum's 60th Anniversary Celebration, I received permission to raise funds for the Museum's first trolley car, 1900 Biddeford & Saco Railroad open trolley car No. 31. The J. G. Brill-built, 60-passenger open car had operated out of the Saco, Maine trolley carbarn on Beach Street for 39 years before being acquired by the young men who began what would become, Seashore Trolley Museum. For the better part of a year, we raised money, did some maintenance work, applied some paint and varnish, and had the National Register of Historic Places gem looking great for its trip back home in 1999.
This blog post is a pictorial summary of the 1999 Car 31 60th Anniversary Tour. It is still spring, and as the project manager for the Narcissus, I'm looking ahead a little bit and planting some seeds here in this post:) I became quite nostalgic as I dug through my archives and combed through photo albums for these pictures (none were digitized). Lots of volunteers and staff put in very long hours each day for that week in 1999. I hope you enjoy the results of my "dirt therapy" :)
I took most of these pictures, but not all. I'll make a note otherwise if I can recall who?
Pre-tour promotion with Bob Black
being recorded for the Biddeford
Cable Access TV promotional tape.
Peter Wilson brings the tractor-trailer around
1901 Boston Elevated Railway Switching Station, Tower-C.
Heading to the loading area.
Preparing to load Car 31 onto the
trailer. L-R Peter Wilson, Mike Simonds
Roger Tobin.
L-R - Jack Coyle and Chuck Griffith use 1920 Oshawa,
Ontario, electric locomotive No. 300 to move cars so that
Car 31 can access the loading dock.
Chuck Griffith is at the controls as he approaches the trailer.
No overhead wires....no problem. A "bug" was used.
(a bug is basically an extension cord)
Safely loaded.
Peter Wilson is next to Car 31 in the parking lot at the visitor
center of Seashore Trolley Museum. Here the car will
be prepared for the trip to Saco.
Mike Simonds changing the light
bulbs out and replaced with 32-volt
bulbs for use with 110-volt
operation.
Ben Yuscavitch checked all electricals
for use during night ops when Car 31
would be on display.
L-R - Mike Simonds, John Middleton, and
Ben Yuscavitch secured one of the banners to car 31.
Ready to roll. In the background, the 1901 Boston Elevated
Railway, Northampton Station, looks on.
Normand Viger, with his grandson,
receiving info from Mike Simonds
on how Car 31 is secured to the trailer.
Normand was one of the volunteers
to drive the tractor-trailer rig.
L-R -Henry Dickinson, Mike Simonds, Normand Viger,
Normand's grandson, Dick Avy, and Roger Tobin just before
we hit the road.
Normand Viger driving the tractor-trailer with Car 31 as
they begin to leave STM.
Car 31 entered what became the entrance to the Museum,
from what was gravel, Biddeford Road in 1939, now exits
the Museum grounds for the first time in 60 years.
Car 31 turns right from Log Cabin Road in Arundel, onto
Route One, North. Henry Dickinson's car is parked as he
records Car 31's travels.
Car 31 crosses the railroad tracks and
stops for a moment on Main Street,
Saco next to the very tall 1915
line pole from the Biddeford &
Saco Railroad held the 600-volt, DC
electricity, that powered Car 31. This
line pole was left in place when
Main Street received new street lighting poles
and lights in 2005. The other line poles
were donated to Seashore Trolley Museum,
along with several of the original ornate
pole caps. The line poles that were on
Main Street, Biddeford, was donated
to the Museum when upgrades were made
in the late 90s.
This 1937 or later image was taken from the
opposite side of the tracks and across the street.
You see the tall line pole next to Car 612..look at
how high the trolley pole is :) From O. R.
Cummings 1989 book, "Streetcars to Old
Orchard Beach"
.
Car 31 passes Saco City Hall.
This blogger with his back on the camera, wearing a very
limited edition t-shirt with 1920 Portland Railroad No.
615 image. No. 615 was sold to the Biddeford & Saco
Railroad in 1936 and operated alongside Car 31 until 1939.
They were reunited in 1941 when No. 615 arrived at
Seashore Trolley Museum. It was the third trolley car in the
growing collection in North Kennebunkport.
During its operating years (1900-1939) for the B&SRR,
Car 31 would generally turn right onto Beach Street
(left for us reading this)when heading north on Main Street,
Saco. The carbarn was a mile or so east on Beach Street on the
left.
Car 31 on Main Street, Saco, across the street from
York Institute Museum (Now Saco Museum).
York Institute Museum (now Saco Museum) with the
outdoor banner (on the right) promoting the new exhibit;
You Could Get There From Here: Life In Maine's
Trolley Era.
Car 31 entering the parking lot of the York Institute Museum
(now Saco Museum).
L-R - Roger Tobin holds the ladder
for Jack Coyle as Jack secures the
Car 31 tour banner.
Normand Viger and his grandson at
the controls of Car 31 after safely
delivering the historic treasure to its
first tour stop.
Jack Coyle making some last minute
adjustments to Car 31's trolley pole rope.
Car 31 is in place for the opening night reception event
at York Institute Museum (now Saco Museum) on
Main Street, Saco.
L-R - Mike Simonds securing Car 31's
trolley pole rope while Bob Hughes and
Henry Dickinson relax in the vestibule
prior to the reception celebrating the
opening of the new exhibit;
You Could Get There From Here:
Life In Maine's Trolley Era.
L-R - Bob Hughes, Dick Howe, and O. R. Cummings relax
prior to the reception celebrating the opening of the new
exhibit; You Could Get There From Here:
Life In Maine's Trolley Era.
L-R - Bob Black, Mary Ellen Black, Judy Avy,
Helen Heffner at the reception celebrating the opening of the
new exhibit; You Could Get There From Here:
Life In Maine's Trolley Era.
L-R - Rick Michaud (Saco City Mgr.), Saco Mayor Bill
Johnson, Dyer Library Executive Director Marilyn Solvay,
and Mrs. Johnson at the reception celebrating the opening of
the new exhibit; You Could Get There From Here:
Life In Maine's Trolley Era.
L-R - NEERHS (Seashore Trolley
Museum) Chairman of the Board Jim
Schantz and Dyer Library Association
Chairman of the Board, Jim Pate.
L-R - (unknown), Paul Kochs, Jim Schantz, Peter Folger,
Nancy Auclair, Lisa Roland, and Gary Jenness.
L-R -Jim Hamlin and Mike Simonds ready to take
Car 31 to Saco DPW for the night.
Mike Simonds finds that Car 31 almost
fits into the building at Saco DPW.
L-R - Jack Coyle and Mike Simonds on the roof of Car 31.
Jim Hamlin is on the ground as they cover Car 31 with a
tarp for a good night's rest. Busy days ahead.
L - Roger Tobin and Henry Dickinson (red hat) mingle with
visitors during the public opening event of the new exhibit at
York Institute Museum (now Saco Museum)
Bob Black shows visitors how Car 31 operates.
L-R - David Newton looks on as Bob
Black is interviewed "Live" for
broadcast on radio station WRED.
L-R - Tom Simonds holds his son's
hand while "Uncle Mike" (Simonds)
demonstrates the new penny machine.
The squished penny has an image of
Car 31 :)
Uncle Mike (Simonds)
demonstrates to his nephew how a
trolley farebox operates.
Al Deshaises entertains visitors
during the public opening celebration.
R - Scott Hooper explains to visitors
how Car 31 operated in Saco for
39 years.
L-R - Jim Pate holds his daughter.
Polly Bruns (Charles Seaward's daughter),
and Win Peck.
Bob Black is at the controls. Models in authentic period dress
have a photo opp on Car 31.
Center - Tom Hardiman of the York Institute Museum accepts
actual motorman's hat and hat badge from the B & S RR
from Foster Leavitt's great, granddaughters.
Car 31's car cards look great in this image :)
This blogger assists a young model as she steps off Car 31.
Scott Hooper talks with visitors on Car 31.
Then it's off to another stop.
Main Street Biddeford. Pepperell Bank was a major financial
contributor to the Museum in support of the Car 31 tour.
Mike Simonds directing traffic safely around Car 31
on Main Street Biddeford.
Part of the Car 31 team for the day. L-R - Charles Hammond,
John Arico, Mike Simonds, Normand Viger, and Roger
Tobin.
L-R - John Arico, Mike Simonds, and Charles Hammond.
Sometimes we positioned Car 31 so that it was close to being
in the same position as it was during operations.
See the image below :)
Close :)
Close :)
Rotary Club luncheon at Wonder Bar
Restaurant in Biddeford - notice
sign on the sidewalk :)
Display of Biddeford & Saco Railroad at the luncheon.
Center - Biddeford Mayor Donna Dion
handing out Seashore Trolley Museum
hats at the luncheon.
Center - Biddeford Mayor Donna Dion
Phil Morse and Mayon Dion enjoying a moment on Car 31.
Did John Arico snap this photo?
Did John Arico snap this photo?
L-R - Phil Morse, Donna Dion, and Al Deshaises.
John Arico photo?
The current president with many past presidents of the
Rotary Club.
L-R - Henry Dickinson, Mike Simonds, and Jack Coyle.
L-R - Mike Simonds and Roger Tobin
On the road again.
See the next image :)
Close :)
Alfred Street heading towards Five Points.
Alfred Street and approaching Five-Ponts in Biddeford and
what would have been a sharp turn right onto Elm Street
in order to head back to Main Street.
L - Gerry O'Regan R - David Newton just off Route One
in Biddeford.
Attempts to park Car 31 in the yard of
Harmon Museum at the top of the hill
(to the left out of this frame) were
unsuccessful, so with Jack Coyle on the
roof to keep wires clear, Car 31 travels
east as it did for 39 years, to the end of the
line in Old Orchard Beach.
The end of the line at Old Orchard Beach just before the
railroad crossing. Look at the building to the right.
Now, look at the next image :)
This image was taken on June 18, 1939.
It was this trip, on this day, on Car 31 during the
fan trip, that it was decided to buy Car 31.
Notice the building on the right :)
Now, look at the next image :)
This image was taken on June 18, 1939.
It was this trip, on this day, on Car 31 during the
fan trip, that it was decided to buy Car 31.
Notice the building on the right :)
Same building in 1999 as in the image below.
June 18, 1939, of Car 31 during that fateful fan trip.
There are many postcards of trolleys parked in OOB with this
point of view.
point of view.
Light rain caused us to pack up and button up Car 31 and
leave a little early. Off to Biddeford DPW for the night.
The next day we started off in Biddeford at Shop & Save
(now Hannafords).
Car 31 meets up with an old friend from Seashore
Trolley Museum. 1967 General Motors "New Look"
bus from Boston. From here the two mass transit vehicles
will leave and participate in the LaKermesse Parade.
A picture I took earlier in 1999 show
rails of the Biddeford & Saco RR busting
up through the pavement.
Car 31 traveling down Elm Street to
Main Street, right over that rail :)
The rail can be seen breaking through
the yellow paint :)
Looking down Elm Street to the Main
Street intersection.
Car 31 turns the corner from Elm Street to enter Main Street.
The building seen on the left is now gone, but in
photos, film, postcards of trolleys turning this corner, just
like Car 31 is in this photo, the building was a butcher shop
at one point, with prices written in the windows.
Car 31 in the LaKermesse parade line.
Car 31 on display at LaKermesse
A large number of visitors were expected. John Middleton at
the handbrake in the vestibule with Cecelia Clapp staffing
the table.
George Sanborn, Jay McMahon, Roger Tobin.
Right - John Middleton chats with visitors.
Left- Ben Yuscavitch chats with visitors.
Left - Jay McMahon in the vestibule.
Jay McMahon makes a new friend.
Roger "Fluffy" Tobin learns that this
cotton candy is his namesake.
cotton candy is his namesake.
Simonds' family reunion in
the vestibule of Car 31. L-R -
Brothers & Sister - Michael, Harvey,
Jacquelyn, and Thomas.
Henry Dickinson connecting
with visitors.
Night lights.
Henry Dickinson leads the packing-up crew at the end of
the night.
The tarp is being removed from Car 31 as Mike Simonds,
Jack Coyle and Matt Whiton prepare Car 31 to leave
the safe confines of the Biddeford DPW and head home to
STM.
And like that, Car 31 returns safely home to Seashore
Trolley Museum.
What a trip!
Gotta get back on the tracks! Only seven days until
the 60th Anniversary Celebration!
the 60th Anniversary Celebration!
Heck of a way to start off the celebration on July 5!
"Hey, Mike!"
Yep, there are rails under there. Car 31 returned to the tracks
in relatively short order :)
R-L - Tom LaRoche at the controls with Robert Perkins as
they direct Car 31 with many happy visitors on July 5, 1999.
Happy 60th Anniversary!
Happy 60th Anniversary!
Some of the operators from the anniversary weekend - 1999
I can name a few I think? First Row; John Brinkloe,
John Mercurio, (John Middleton?), Ed Fenton, Burt Shaw, Tom LaRoche, (?)
Top Row; (?), Mark Sullivan, Bill Higginbotham, Gail Harrje,
(?), Bob Reich, Todd Brown, Rick Russell.
We are still in need of funds for creating the interpretation programs that will tell this fascinating 100+-year-old story of the Narcissus. For information on donation options, scroll down this post and find the one that best fits your position. Fund 816 to help with the restoration and Fund 817 (PLI Education-Interpretation programs ) should be noted when making a donation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click Here for the post that has the short virtual 3-D video of the digital model of the Narcissus, with components added to the file from earlier this year (the gold leaf file had not been added yet).
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus. The Narcissus is more than 110 years old now and has so many incredible stories to share. The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one of those incredible stories.
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.
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
Seashore Trolley Museum Promo Video
The paperback edition of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride can be purchased online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's store website. Books purchased through the Museum's website directly benefit the Museum and the Narcissus project.
Click Here to go to the Museum Store web page to order online
Click Here to go to the Amazon page to order the ebook or audiobook online
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores in Maine:
Center for Maine Crafts, West Gardiner Service Plaza
The Book Review, Falmouth
The Bookworm, Gorham
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
Illustrations by Amy J. Gagnon
Listen to a 2-minute, 30-second, Retail Audio Sample of the Audiobook
Millie Thayer is a headstrong farmer's daughter who chases her dreams in a way you would expect a little girl nicknamed "Spitfire" would-running full tilt and with her eyes on the stars. Dreaming of leaving the farm life, working in the city, and fighting for women's right to vote, Millie imagines flying away on a magic carpet. One day, that flying carpet shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm. A fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. Despairing that her dreams may be shattered, Millie learns, in an unexpected way, that dreams can be shared.
A resource for teachers
Companion curriculum State-standard-based units,
vocabulary, and reading activities for use in grades 3-8
are available online as downloadable resources through
Seashore Trolley Museum's website
www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson units in Social Studies and ELA that were inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans for use in grades 6, 7, and 8 are easily adapted for use in grades 3-5. Vocabulary and Reading activities for grades 3-8 along with the eight lesson plan units are available free and may be downloaded through Seashore Trolley Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Go to the Teacher Resource Page in the pull-down for more details.
A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube
Award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive
Please Consider a Donation to the Narcissus Project to help us tell the incredible story of the Narcissus through the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project.
Here is an example of how donations to the Narcissus Project now will help with the interpretation portion of the project. The interpretation programming will include exhibits, displays, and education programming. In 2019, through generous donations to the Narcissus Project, we were able to conserve, replicate, and have high resolutions digital image files made of the original, 1910, 28.5-foot long, surveyor map of the elevation and grade of the 30-mile private right-of-way of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (Portland-Lewiston Interurban) Click Here
Thank You!
the crowd gathered in Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914.
Image courtesy of Gray Historical Society
The Narcissus as the Sabattus Lake Diner in Sabattus, Maine,
circa 1940. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
L. Henri Vallee (right) and family members in the
Narcissus, when it was Vallee's summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine circa 1958. Photo courtesy Daniel Vallee
Inside the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Narcissus is in the midst of major work as we strive to complete its restoration. We are now planning the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Donations to the Narcissus Project may be used in the future to help tell the incredible 100-plus-year-old story of the Narcissus. Your donation to the Narcissus is helping to make the dream of the project's success, a reality.
See below for Donation options -
It starts with YOU
Your Donation Matters
Make a Donation TODAY
Please Help the Narcissus.
Donation Options to Help the Narcissus Project:
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society
is the 501c3 organization that owns and operates the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, and the National Streetcar
Museum in Lowell (MA).
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society registered with the IRS (EIN# 01-0244457) and was incorporated in Maine in 1941.
Check or Money Order ***** should be made payable to:
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
In the memo: for a donation to the Interpretation programming
please write: PLI Education Fund 817
For a donation to help with the restoration write: Narcissus Fund 816
Mail to: Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Credit Card ***** donations can be one-time donations or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically on a monthly basis. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3.
Online Donations - may be made by using a Credit Card:
Click Here to make an online donation through the Museum's website - When at the Donation page: Fill in donor info, etc., when at "To which fund are you donating? Scroll down to "Other" and type in 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can use email: finance@trolleymuseum.org and in the message box write:
For "Narcissus Fund 816" - if supporting the restoration
For "PLI Education Fund 817" - if supporting Interpretation programs
Donation of Securities ***** We also accept donations of
securities. You can contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3,
for brokerage account information for accepting donated securities.
BONUS ***** If you work for a company/corporation that will
"match" an employee's donation to an approved 501c3 non-profit
educational organization, please be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your employer so that your donation is matched :)
Questions? ***** Please contact Narcissus project sponsor:
Phil Morse, narcissus@gmail.org or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Thank You :)
Thank You for our Current Funding Partners
* 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation - 2020/2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Mass Bay RRE - 2018 Railroad Preservation Grant
* Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) - Staff & Alumni - Matching Grant Challenge 2014
* New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Kennebunkport, ME) - Member Donations
* Amherst Railway Society - 2015 Heritage Grant
* National Railway Historical Society - 2016 & 2015 Heritage Preservation Grants
* Enterprise Holding Foundation - 2015 Community Grant
* Theodore Roosevelt Association - Member Donations
* John Libby Family Association and Member Donations
* The Conley Family - In Memory of Scott Libbey 2018/2017/2016/2015
* The W. S. Libbey Family - Awalt, Conley, Graf, Holman, Libbey, McAvoy, McLaughlin, Meldrum, O'Halloran, Salto, - 2018/2017
* The Hughes Family 2017/2016/2010
* New Gloucester Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Public Library Association - Pat Barter Speaker Series
* Scarborough Historical Society - PRR/PLI
* LogMein - Matching Employee Donation
* IBM - Matching Employee/Retiree Donations
* Fidelity Charitable Grant - Matching Employee Donations
* Richard E. Erwin Grant - 2017/2016
The Narcissus, with interior back-lit, stained glass windows is majestic.
Make a donation today to help restore the interior of this Maine gem.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track! Once restored,
you will be able to ride in luxury on this National Register Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
PWM photo
Please Consider Making a Donation to the project of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus. We are currently raising funds to advance the restoration and to tell the incredible story of this Maine gem.
Various News stories during the summer of 2015 about the
Narcissus and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. TR
was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
The Narcissus - July 31, 2015. Make a donation today.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track!
Once restored, you will be able to ride in luxury on this
National Historic Treasure at
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