Virtual Tour - Narcissus 3-D

A screenshot still is taken from the short virtual tour video of

the Narcissus. The 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban,

Narcissus is currently being restored at Seashore Trolley

Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. The SolidWorks

software used has been an important tool in the restoration

of the National Register of Historic Places member

Narcissus.

     Restoring historic electric railway transportation vehicles is challenging, expensive, and can take years with thousands and thousands of labor hours. With a project like the historic, Narcissus; retired from public service in 1933, stripped of all original mechanical and electrical components, its body serving as the Vallee family summer camp for 35 years, takes the work to complete the restoration to a higher level full of challenges. Animated, virtual 3-D technology, has become a critical ally in helping overcome some of the inherent challenges.

A 40-second virtual 3-D tour of the Narcissus is below or Click Here

     The virtual tour video is rendered from the SolidWorks software that is made up of files of the various individual components that have been specced out and uploaded. Files upon files. Layers of files. A work in progress. As files of more components are added, and specs verified, the "Narcissus" model becomes more complete. A dedicated Museum member/volunteer has been uploading and managing the software. Ernie Eaton, the Narcissus restoration shop project manager, oversees all work on the Narcissus. Ernie works with the other restoration shop staff working on the Narcissus to spec out the components that then are uploaded to the software and continues to build out the virtual model of the Narcissus. Then Ernie works with the finished files to implement restoration work.

The interior passenger compartment of the virtual Narcissus.

     The finished files are so precise, that if we need to replicate a metal component, we can email the file to the foundry, and the foundry will use the digital file to provide a quote to replicate the component. The foundry can then use the digital file to replicate components. The same steps apply if a replica mahogany wood component needs to be made. The same process applies to having the intricate interlocking tile floor pieces reproduced luggage racks, etc. (Please keep in mind, for the purpose of this post, I'm vastly oversimplifying the process, steps, and time required to make this all happen.)

Virtual view from within the smoking compartment of the

Narcissus when looking into the number one end vestibule.

Virtual overhead view looking into the number one end

vestibule and smoking compartment of the Narcissus.

The digital files were used to replicate a replacement train

door seen here. The train door has a window sash that slides

up and down for access to the trolley pole rope from inside

the coach.

Virtual curtain file for the Narcissus. Here is a good example

to show the level of detail. The pattern on the curtain. See

the original Narcissus curtain below.

We do have some of the original curtains that were in the

Narcissus. We will need to have some replacements made.

The digital files of the metal components will be used to

cast replacements. The digital files of the pattern will

also be used in having replacement curtain material made.

The original Narcissus curtain material/pattern.

Screenshot of a digital file for the train door.

     We have one original train door and most of its two original window sashes. These were used to create the measurements needed to create the digital files that in turn were used to calculate the amount of mahogany needed, and other critical aspects to make a replacement historically correct train door and window sash.

Replacement train door on the left.

Screenshot of the digital file of the end of one of the

37-foot-long southern yellow pine side sills. The layers

of detail allow for a visual of where the steel channel

exterior edge along the top and bottom end and allow

space for the cuts for the mortise/tenon of the window

posts. Also, to see where the bolts are placed to

pass through the massive timber to secure the channel \

and timber to the passenger compartment floor sills/joists.

These side sill specification details are seen in

this screenshot was critical in being able to properly

assess vintage southern yellow pine 40-foot

for use in replacing the two 37-foot-long

side sill timber of the Narcissus.

     We have received no Federal or State funds to help with financing the restoration work on the Narcissus, but we still use the historic preservation guidelines to help guide our decisions in moving the project forward. One of the many challenges was locating vintage (the 1870s-1890s) southern yellow pine timbers to replace the 37-foot-long side sills. Candidates for the sills tend to be 40-footers that often are 12"x 12" and were removed from a 19th-century mill building that had been raised. These massive timbers tend to be stored outside. In some cases, they have been stored outside for many, many years. Many have very large holes and mortise cuts, long cracks, sections of rot, etc., that disqualify them from being suitable for use as side sills in the restoration of the historic Narcissus. The detailed spec file of the side sills seen above was critical in the assessment process while inspecting sill candidates. If a particular timber candidate had a large mortise, crack, or rot in an area on the timber where, as a side sill, a mortise cut for a window post or some other significant component needed solid wood for a secure fit, it could be quickly identified as being an unsuitable candidate. No guessing. Move on to the next candidate. I can't stress enough, how important it has been to have these details available, once the file's data is specified, uploaded, tweaked, etc., and made available. 

In this screenshot, you can see the virtual bolt holes in the

virtual side sill.

     Through the winter and up until the initial COVID-19 guidelines for remote work were implemented, work on other Narcissus components took place. Remember, the Narcissus arrived on campus at Seashore Trolley Museum on Halloween, October 31, 1969, as a body only. No mechanical or electrical components at all to make it operate, stop, etc. More than fifty years of searching and collecting various mechanical and electric components to use in restoring the majestic Narcissus to be a fully restored, operating luxury interurban coach.

Using shop air (see gauge w/piping)

Brian Tenaglia was able to assess the 

moving parts of the multi-unit with

its controller being connected.

Another view of the multi-unit and controller during testing.

The four 65-hp motors that will be used

to operate the Narcissus, returned to

Seashore Trolley Museum after having been

fully rehabbed at AC Electric. 

A view of the inner workings of one

of the newly rehabbed motors for the

Narcissus. 

Brian Tenaglia (l) and Bill Catanesye working on one of the

trucks that will have their frame and several components

utilized for building two trucks for use operating the

Narcissus.

Parts that are removed from one of eight different trucks

for use in building the two trucks used to operate the 

Narcissus, are first sandblasted and then coated with primer

before receiving coats of paint.

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

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