The cover of Volume One, No. Ten, Feb-Mar 1939 issue
of The Maine Electric Transiteer - the newsletter
of the Portland Division of the Electric Railroaders Association (ERA)
PWM
I was seeking clarification on dates for an electric railway fan trip on the A & K (Androscoggin and Kennebec Railway) electric railway system in the Auburn/Lewiston area in the later 1930s.
Within the O.R. Cummings Collection of photos at Seashore Trolley Museum, there are a series of photos that are not dated and have no descriptions. Some are clearly of an ERA (Electric Railroaders Association) railfan trip sponsored by the Portland (ME) Division of the ERA. Car No. 120 has an ERA banner on its dasher.
No. 120 was hired for this fan trip of the Portland Division of
the Electric Railroaders Association's special outing. Now we
know the date of this trip is April 19, 1938. Thank you, Kevin!
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_10_004
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
There are several other images in the series that also seem they be of a railway fan trip, but on a different car (No. 190) that is not sporting a banner.
No. 190 with its destination sign as "Special." This
indicates that a group hired the car for a special occasion,
perhaps a fan trip on April 19, 1939? Based on the issue of
Transiteer below, we now know the date of
this trip is on April 19, 1939 :)
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_10_002
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
I reached out to several Seashore members and to the ERA. The ERA admin for the online social site replied to my request promptly and replied there are very few Maine-related archives in the central offices, but that they would conduct a search. I did receive an email from longtime Seashore member, Kevin Farrell, earlier this week stating a "package" was on its way to me with contents that would help clarify the A & K railway fan trip in 1938. On July 28, 2023, I received Kevin's package :)
Thank you, Kevin!
Two, of the several items in the package, are very early issues of a newsletter from the Portland Division of the ERA. I personally had not heard of this publication before; The Maine Electric Transiteer.
In the April 1938 issue, the detailed schedule for the Portland Division of the ERA's railway fan trip on the A & K on April 19, 1938, is included. There also is a short history of the A & K Railway. along with several other electric railway-related topics. A fun read for sure - looking back 85 years ago!
Today, August 1, 2023, I received a copy of the Feb-Mar 1939 issue that I purchased on eBay. It just so happens, to highlight the upcoming railway fan trip on nearly 60 miles of A & K (Androscoggin and Kennebec) Railway on April 19, 1939, and specifies the use area and using No. 190. Success! in clarifying what dates the O.R. Cummings fan trip photos are!
Click Here to see the April 1938 issue
Click Here to see the May 1938 issue
In this post is the Feb-Mar 1939 issue. There is a short history of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban and a poem. An update on the Aroostook Valley Railroad, and other electric railways, streetcars being scrapped from the Portland (ME) Railroad, and many other tidbits.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.