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3-D CAD breakdown of segments of the arc headlight used
by 1912, Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus.
Solidworks is the provider of the software used for building
National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus, and
for other restoration projects at Seashore Trolley Museum
in Kennebunkport, Maine. Image supplied by Ernie Eaton,
restoration shop project manager overseeing the Narcissus
restoration.
The original arc headlight from the Arbutus.
Arbutus was one of the original four high-speed
luxury electric interurbans, along with, Narcissus,
ordered from the Laconia Car Company for the
The name of the railroad would change to
Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI) Railroad in 1914.
The Gray Historical Society has this arc headlight
and other original components from Arbutus in
its extensive collection of artifacts from the PLI.
Photo PWM
One view of the assembled components of the
arc headlight is portrayed in the Solidworks digital file.
Image supplied by Ernie Eaton
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 in the restoration process.
The headlight rests on a horizontal metal bar on the train door
of the Arbutus. Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony, a daughter
of W. Scott Libbey, purchased the Arbutus later in 1933.
Photo from the scrapbook with contents from the four
reunions of the former employees of the Portland-Lewiston
Interurban (1938-1941).
Arbutus in the yard of Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony,
Bay View, Saco, Maine circa 1940. The horizontal
metal bar in the lower panel of the train door is
the bracket that holds the headlight. Mrs. Anthony
created this memorial to commemorate her father,
W. Scott Libbey. Photo from the scrapbook with
contents from the four reunions of the former employees
of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (1938-1941).
are currently being cleaned, repaired, photographed
(at high resolution), and conserved at
Northeast Documents Conservation Center,
Andover, MA.
Click Here to access the education resources
Solidworks shares in their newsletter above.
Click Here to access educational resources for
Electric Railways in Maine
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A close-up view of the assembled components of the top of the
handrail attached to the passenger door frame and one of
the brass hinges attached to the passenger door
is portrayed in the Solidworks digital file.
Image supplied by Ernie Eaton
Original brass hinges of the Narcissus. The measurements
and visual details for these were added to the Solidworks
files and then utilized in creating the virtual 3-D model.
Photo PWM
Gray Historical Society displays various brass ends for
wood handles that were attached to Arbutus. Fortunately,
we also have a few originals from the Narcissus. The
measurements and visual details for these were added to the
Solidworks files and then utilized in creating the virtual 3-D
model. Locating other sources, such as the Gray Historical
Society has been important in locating items that Seashore
does not have on hand, such as a destination roll sign. We
were able to borrow an original Arbutus roll sign to measure
etc. for specs to add to the Solidworks files. Photo PWM
A close-up view of the assembled components of one
passenger entrance is portrayed in the Solidworks
digital file. Image supplied by Ernie Eaton
There are many useful options when it comes to
viewing the virtual 3-D model of the Solidworks Narcissus
files. One is the ability to see details from various points of view.
Here is a point of view that allows the viewer to see portions
of the interior of the number one end vestibule, smoking
compartment, bulkheads, and passenger compartment.
Image supplied by Ernie Eaton
door post drawings produced from the Solidworks 3D virtual
model. As many as two days of planning may be required
each time a new post design is fabricated. There are four basic
types of posts with mirrored versions of each in the vestibule assembly.
Another two days may be required to fabricate the post
depending on the complexity.
Narcissus train door post (left) was structurally compromised
requiring a replacement (on the right).
Photo by Ernie Eaton
An original Narcissus train door post (left) and replacement
post (right) show the complex surfaces that required
preplanning and a very high level of woodworking skills to
replicate properly and precisely. Photo by Ernie Eaton
A train door post-replacement fabrication is in progress.
Photo/description by Ernie Eaton
Close-up view of the end of a train door post showing
the desired profile and outline of a tenon traced in pencil.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
A view of a train door post after receiving a few cuts.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
Close-up of mortises and reliefs cut in train door post to
accept ribs that will, in turn, support the exterior tongue
and groove siding. Photo by Ernie Eaton
A side view of the finished door post.
Photo PWM
The face of the exterior of the door post.
Photo PWM
The open channel is where a metal rod with threads on
each end will be encased.
Photo PWM
A view of the series of cuts made that were necessary for one
of the steps needed in the process to match the shape of the ash
wood for the number two end vestibule door post.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
Closeup of the cuts made in the step of the woodworking
process for shaping the ash wood for a door post.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
The next step requires the removal of the thin slices of ash
in advance of squaring up the surface of the post.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
Seth Reed, a Master Woodworker with many years of experience
in the restoration of and making replacement replicas of historic
wood components, seen here examining printouts of Solidworks
files about the wood crown piece for
the Narcissus vestibule on the number two end.
The Solidworks files are created by Ernie Eaton. Photo PWM
The plywood mockup for the number two end vestibule
crown piece. Ash is the wood in the background that will be used to
construct the replacement crown piece for the number two end
vestibule. Photo PWM
Seth working on the wood crown piece
replacement for the number two end vestibule
for the Narcissus. Photo by Katie Orlando
A test fitting of the replacement vestibule wood floor
crown piece on the number two end. Ernie Eaton,
the restoration shop project manager overseeing the restoration of
the Narcissus is checking the replacement floor level.
Seth Reed is looking at the right side of the replacement
support for the flooring. Photo PWM
Seth and Ernie taking some measurements as
they plan to mark the crown piece
where the various door post tenons will meet.
The mortises will then be made accordingly.
Photo PWM
Initial test placement of the crown piece
at the number two vestibule of the Narcissus.
A segment of the original crown-piece has been
placed on top to help in determining the position
of the replacement crown piece.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
The replacement crown piece is placed in position temporarily
before the door posts are temporarily put in place,
while measurements and markings are made for the
mortise/tenon on the crown piece. Photo by Ernie Eaton
Another view of the crown piece temporarily in place,
Photo by Ernie Eaton
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With the door post and crown pieces
temporarily in their proper position,
the crown piece can now be marked where
the tenon of the door post will need its mortise
cut made. This process is repeated for
all door posts. Photo by Ernie Eaton
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The mortise has been cut.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
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The door post tenon and its mortise in
the crown piece match up quite nicely.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
The mortises and tenons of the door posts
match up with the mortises in the crown piece.
A dry-fit of door posts with the replacement
crown piece with the original components in
the vestibule's roof. Photo PWM
The original passenger door opening arches were made from
a single solid piece of ash. Here Seth Reed shapes by hand a
graft of new ash that replaced a decayed and cracked section
of the original from Narcissus. Photo by Ernie Eaton
The side sill and its matching steel channel
rest along the right side of Narcissus.
Photo PWM
Once removed, its condition was evaluated,
and how it is utilized in connection with
other components. It was determined to
have Seth make a replacement. This is a block
near one of the stairwells. Photo by Ernie Eaton
Seth made replacement blocks from ash
for the decayed originals near the stairwells.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
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A replacement block from ash to replace a
decayed original near a stairwell. Photo PWM
Seth holding in place one of the replacement
blocks made from ash near a stairwell. Photo PWM
Seth holding in place one of the replacement blocks
from ash near a stairwell. Photo PWM
Temporarily in place is one of the replacement blocks.
Photo PWM
Various replica components have been made from ash for Narcissus.
Photo PWM
Being able to utilize original components is
important. Except for a segment of the lower
portion, the majority of this original door post
passed the testing process and can be
included in the restoration of Narcissus.
Photo PWM
Here the new graft has been secured to the
original door post. Photo PWM
The number two end vestibule wood components were
temporarily positioned as a dry-fit assembly for a tour
on the morning of Members Day in August 2022.
Ernie Eaton provided tour participants a view of
the Solidworks digital files utilizing a monitor.
Photo PWM
One of the many removed rods that will be
replaced. Photo by Ernie Eaton
Hundreds of rusted bolts have been removed
and will be replaced. Photo by Ernie Eaton
Looking down from above at the rusted bolts
removed from the various wood components
that were in place in components forming
the number two end vestibule.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
Count the rings of the old-growth timbers on the left. There
are 25 or more rings in one cross-section timber.
On the right, the same-sized farm-grown timber has only
ten or so rings. Old-growth timber with many rings tightly grouped
provides more dense, stable durability, and is more resistant to decay.
An end view of three sections of one of the original
southern yellow pine side sills from Narcissus on the left.
Sections of the sill that were usable were salvaged for
reuse in replacing similar-sized blocks needing
replacement in the other parts of Narcissus.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
There were no original metal seat components with the Narcissus body when it arrived at Seashore Trolley Museum. To construct seats, all metal seat components would need to be cast at a foundry. To have components cast, patterns for those components would be required. The first set of metal seat components was cast from patterns that were made for the Narcissus seats. The individual metal components of that first set of metal seat parts are now being assembled. Machining of contact areas of components may be required to have the assembled components work smoothly with one another.
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Volunteer, Kevin Dyer, is holding a cast metal
seat component. Kevin has been working on
machining the connecting metal joints where
individual seat parts connect to have them work
together smoothly when assembled.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
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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
