First, of two, vintage southern yellow pine
timbers to have mortises cut and to be
prepared to receive its steel channel.
The above image is of the first, of two, vintage southern yellow pine timbers that were prepared for installation as the side sills to the passenger compartment of the National Register of Historic Places member, No. 14, 1912, Portland-Lewiston Interurban luxury coach, Narcissus. The Narcissus is currently being restored at the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
The two vintage timbers that will be used to replace the original side sills were sawn from a single timber that started out as an 11.5" x 13" x 39-foot long beam. The beam was originally installed in a building that housed a brass foundry in Connecticut, circa 1880. You will see in the following images that the quality of this timber is a historic preservation woodworker's dream.
Nine-minute video of Seth Reed talking about
preparations made to one of two of the "new"
vintage side sills for the Narcissus.
Click Here to see the video on YouTube
A similar pattern of tight growth rings on the original
sill (left) and a new vintage timber sill on the right.
For the restoration of a historic railway vehicle like the
Narcissus, using vintage reclaimed lumber/timbers does make
a difference. "Farmed" southern yellow pine on the left.
Compare the number of growth rings per inch to the
vintage southern yellow pine timber on the right.
Seth Reed shows how the original sill was used as
a guide for aligning measurements on the new
vintage sill.
Printouts from the Solidworks files of the sills showing
all the various locations of components, mortise, and
measurements.
Before being removed from the storage trailer to be relocated
to the woodworking shop, Seth Reed confirms measurements
and placements of the mortise on the first vintage southern
yellow pine side sill for the Narcissus. Ernie Eaton Photo
A short video of Seth Reed explaining the
proposed accommodations of the 37-foot side sill
in the woodworking shop for conducting
the mortise work on the sill.
Click Here to see the video on YouTube
The Museum's workhorse, a Pettibone is seen backing
away in the background, the first of two vintage southern yellow
pine side sill timbers rests safely on stacks of blocks in the
woodworking shop. Ernie Eaton Photo
With the sill in place, now prep work to set up rollers and
equipment before making the mortises.
Ernie Eaton Photo
Mortise is being drilled in sill timber by Ernie Eaton.
Ernie Eaton Photo
The video above is of one of the vintage southern
yellow pine sill beams for the Narcissus being
mortised (video at high speed) by Ernie Eaton.
Click Here to see the video on YouTube
The video above is of one of the vintage southern
yellow pine sill beams for the Narcissus being
mortised (video at normal speed) by Seth Reed.
Seth is cutting a middle window post mortise
(1 1/4" x 2 1/2") using a mortiser that is likely
almost as old as Narcissus. This beam was milled
from a larger beam reclaimed from a brass foundry
building in Connecticut that was constructed
circa 1880.
Click Here to see the video on YouTube
Looking towards the machine shop with mortises done.
Ernie Eaton Photo
Looking towards the north end of the woodworking shop.
Ernie Eaton Photo
Following the mortises being cut, the tapered cut along the
complete length of the top and bottom edge of the
inside-facing side of the sill was made. This will
allow for a tight fit of the steel channel. The steel channel
will be attached and secured to the sill. The set will then be
returned to the storage trailer until the set is needed for
installation to the Narcissus.
channel. On the right, is the original left side sill shortly after removal.
Its steel channel has been separated from the sill.
The ornate gold leaf work can be seen in the corners of the ceiling
panels in this image of the PLI, Arbutus.
The ornate gold leaf fleur-de-lis can be seen in a corner of an
original center ceiling panel from the Narcissus.
Gold leaf is seen in this virtual 3-D model of
the interior of the Narcissus. Ernie Eaton Photo
As components of the Narcissus have their specifications/dimensions, etc. confirmed, the digital files of these components are added to the virtual 3-D files of the Narcissus within the Solidworks program. The image above shows the addition of the file that includes the ornate gold leaf fleur-de-lis and striping in the ceiling panels of the Narcissus.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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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