At the age of 104 years old, one of these fans is still with us today!
85 years ago today, on June 18, 1939, open car No. 31, of the Biddeford
and Saco Railroad Co. is seen making the curve from Alfred Street, to enter
Elm Street, at Five Points, in Biddeford, ME. The passengers were all riding
Car 31 during a fan trip organized by a few young men who would become
known as the founders of what is now known as the Seashore Trolley Museum
in Kennebunkport, Maine. It was during this trip on Car 31, that the decision
was made that Car 31 should be the car they try to save from being scrapped.
Image 2009_2_14_032 from the O R Cummings Collection at
Seashore Trolley Museum
Eighty-five years ago today, on June 18, 1939, a small group of young men made the choice to try and save open car No. 31, of the Biddeford and Saco Railroad, from being scrapped. While overcoming several challenges, they were successful. On July 15, 1939, Car 31 was transported to what is now the main entrance to the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. This series of activities led to the beginning of what is now the Seashore Trolley Museum.
There will be many special events at the Seashore Trolley Museum during this 85th Anniversary season.
Click Here: The Seashore Trolley Museum's website home page.
This blog post is going to focus on the activities that occurred to create the June 18, 1939 fan trip, that led to the saving Car 31. The eight men who were able to contribute some money towards the expenses needed to save, transport, and provide property for Car 31's "new home", would become known as the founders of the Seashore Trolley Museum.
Click Here: Read about Car 31 and the Biddeford and Saco Railroad during the year that Car 31 arrived in the Biddeford-Saco area, 124 years ago, on June 6, 1900.
Car 31 has the unique distinction of being the first trolley car (anywhere in the world) to be saved by a group of individuals to start a trolley museum. Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, was founded in 1939 with the acquisition of Car 31. Car 31 is recognized as the "Mother Car" of all trolley museums worldwide. Car 31 is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is also a member of Save America's Treasures.
Click Here: Ted Santarelli tells the story of how Car 31 was saved. Santarelli was one of the young men who saved Car 31 in 1939, and in doing so, became one of the founders of the Seashore Trolley Museum.
Click Here: Car 31 Returned Home to Biddeford, Saco, and OOB in 1999 - 60th Anniversary Home Tour
Theodore F. Santarelli de Brash (Ted) of Boston (Sophomore at Harvard University, John E. Amlaw (John) of Somerville (South Postal Annex-Boston), and Gerald (Gerry) F. Cunningham of Haverhill (Northeastern Undergraduate) were three members of the Boston Division of the Electric Railroaders Association (ERA) when they learned about an April 19, 1939, fan trip, for visiting and riding two trolley cars on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Railway (A&KRy) out of the Auburn-Lewiston area in Maine. They made plans to travel together and attend the fan trip.
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The schedule of the fan trip is explained in the newspaper article below.
Sun Journal - March 13, 1939
To promote the fan trip, the Portland Division of the ERA, talked about the fan trip in the group's newsletter, The Maine Electric Transiteer. Below is the page from the Feb/Mar1939 issue explaining the trip.
Article in the Feb/Mar issue of the Maine Electric Transiteer the newsletter
from the Portland Division of the Electric Railroaders Association, promoting
friends/fans to attend the April 19, 1939, fan trip to ride car No. 190 of the
Androscoggin and Kennebec Railway. The trip was hosted by the Portland
(Maine) Division of Electric Railroaders Association - PWM
Over the years of collecting information on the April 19, 1939 fan trip, there were occasionally individuals who made the statement that the fan trip was on May 30, 1939. That has caused some uneasiness when it comes to feeling confident to state what the date was when the fan trip actually happened. Hopefully, as more research is conducted, the evidence will help make it clear.
In mid-April, this newspaper article below, mentions that the date of the A&KRy fan trip was changed from April 19 to May 30, 1939. One piece of evidence...
Another piece of evidence that the April 19, 1939 fan trip took
place on May 30, 1939
Kennebec Journal - June 1, 1939
The Biddeford and Saco Railroad announced that modern buses would replace the trolley cars serving the Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach communities (on) about June 20th (1939).
The transportation plans for Ted, John, and Gerry to travel together to Maine (now on May 30, 1939) to attend the fan trip, had Ted traveling by electric railway to Somerville, MA, where John, driving his car, would pick Ted up. Then, they would drive to Haverhill to pick up Gerry. Together, the three of them would travel north to Maine, to join the other electric rail fans, and enjoy the fan trip of the A&KRy. When John, with Ted on board, stopped the car to pick up Gerry, as he entered the car, Gerry stated, "Fellas, they've ordered the buses!"
Gerry had heard through his connections with the Biddeford and Saco Railroad, based in Saco, Maine, that the company had announced that modern buses were to arrive and replace the trolleys beginning on June 20, 1939. Ted, John, and Gerry were all very fond of the Biddeford and Saco electric railway line, in particular, the open cars that were still being operated during the tourist season. At the time, the Biddeford and Saco Railroad was the only electric railway in all of New England to still be using open cars during regular daily operations of a line during spring, summer, and fall (one or two lines in New England would still use open cars for special events, but not for regular daily operations).
Gerry spent time in Maine at Ocean Park during the summer. Ocean Park is a small village within the town of Old Orchard Beach. The Biddeford and Saco Railroad (B&SRR) electric streetcars served Old Orchard Beach. Gerry spent many days during his summer visits in Ocean Park riding and photographing the trolley cars of the B&S and getting to know many of the motormen, conductors, carbarn workers, and even the general manager, J. Burton Stride.
Based on previous newspaper clippings and the Feb/Mar 1939 issue of the Maine Electric Transiteer newsletter the photos below, taken during the A&KRy fan trip, will now have the date of May 30, 1939, associated with them.
No. 120 of the Androscoggin and Kennebec Railway with a banner on its
dasher, showing passengers and friends inside the car as the group on a fan trip
hosted by the Portland Division of the Electric Railroaders Association.
May 30, 1939 - O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_21a_030
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
No. 190 of the Androscoggin and Kennebec Railway with its destination sign
showing "EXTRA" and a sign on its dasher that reads "SPECIAL."
Those signify the passengers and friends inside the car as the group on the fan
trip hosted by the Portland Division of the Electric Railroaders Association.
May 30, 1939 - O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_10_002
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
While on their fan trip, traveling on the trolley cars, they discussed how they might be able to make a plan to try and save one of the B&S trolleys. They came up with a plan to write to their friends about the idea, and the short timeframe to try and pull it off. Because Gerry knew Mr. Stride, the general manager of the B&S, he was the one to write a letter to Mr. Stride to introduce their idea to him on their wanting to save one of the trolleys. Meanwhile, one of the friends they contacted, Charles A. Brown of Hyde Park, MA, took on the task of planning a separate fan trip at the B&S on June 18, 1939. That day was meant to be close to the final day of trolley operations before the buses were to take over public transportation in Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach.
This handful of young men was hoping that the June 18 fan trip would generate interest in saving one of the B&S trolley cars and that some individuals would contribute money towards what the purchase price might be.
Members of the Portland Division of the ERA joined in with members of the Boston Division of the ERA to promote the June 18, 1939, "Farewell" Fan trip on the Biddeford and Saco Railroad system
"Farewell To The Biddeford & Saco"
From the Jan/Feb 1964 Seashore Trolley Museum newsletter,
"The Dispatch." PWM
Mr. Stride, the general manager of the B&S, did not reply to the letter that was sent to him from Gerry. Gerry paid Mr. Sride a visit at his office at the B&S carbarn on Beach Street in Saco. Mr. Stide did receive Gerry and they discussed the topic of the letter. Gerry, representing the group, would like to save one of the B&S cars. As a complete car, not simply a body. Mr. Stride responded saying he had already arranged for all the cars to be scrapped. Besides, he had made a commitment to his friends who were members of the Biddeford Rotary Club, that he would not sell any more cars/car bodies to anyone that were planning on relocating the piece on property in the Biddeford, Saco, or Old Orchard Beach communities. And if he did consider selling one, the price would be $300.
Gerry left and met up with Ted and John to discuss the meeting with Mr. Stride. $300 in 1939 was a massive amount of money for the average person. The average worker might make somewhere in the $15 to $18 and week. They discussed plans and made a choice to visit with Mr. Stride again to try and negotiate a better offer.
In addition, they needed to find a place to transport the potential trolley to a location outside of the three communities that were off limits to being the home of the car. Having a location in mind might help.
One day, soon after the original meeting with Mr. Stride, they were able to meet with him once again. This time the meeting was at Mr. Stide's home at Graham Street in Biddeford. Mr. Stride was mowing his lawn and told the visitors he was busy now. They offered to have one of the group take over mowing the lawn for Mr. Stide. Mr. Stride agreed. The visitors discussed their honest commitment to want to save one of the cars from being scrapped. They would transport it to a location outside of the three banned communities. Mr. Stride acknowledged he recognized the challenges the group faced and also respected their commitment to the task. He agreed to sell a car to them for $150. The money needed to be paid by the final day of trolley operations on the B&S. Fortunately, for the group, the date that the buses were to take over had now been delayed until July 5, 1939.
With the success in negotiating the purchase of one of the trolleys, along with the reduced price, the group had to focus on securing a location for the placement of the acquisition. In addition, make arrangements for removing the vehicle, and transporting the chosen candidate to the location. All of which, would be meaningless, if they were not able to raise the money needed to pay for the trolley car by July 5.
The June 18, 1939 "Farewell to the Biddeford and Saco" fan trip. Would it generate what was needed?
The summary of the fan trip was noted in the newspaper.
Biddeford Daily Journal - June 18, 1939 Here are photos, that were all taken during the fan trip that took place on June 18, 1939.
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The company office was located in the carbarn on Beach Avenue in Saco.
Five Points in Biddeford is seen on the map on the far left. The end of the
line at Old Orchard Beach can be seen on the far right.
No. 10, a single-truck, 18-foot, box, closed car, was purchased new from the J. G. Brill Company in 1899.
No. 10 was one of the two "new" cars that the above newspaper
talks about. No. 10 was the vintage car used by the June 18, 1939,
Farwell fan trip passengers.
Biddeford Daily Journal - January 29, 1900
After passing under the B & M RR overpass, No. 10 is heading toward
Half-way while traveling on Orchard Street (now Old Orchard Road)
on its way to Old Orchard Beach.
Courtesy of Saco Museum - the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Collection
Photo by C. D. Duncan
At the Half-Way intersection, turning out from Orchard Street
(now Old Orchard Road) towards Saco Avenue, heading toward Old Orchard
At the Tabernacle Turnout on Union Avenue, Old Orchard Beach. No. 10
with the Farewll fans and the Birney car, No. 607, that the fans would
be riding next. O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_051
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Turning from Union Avenue Union Avenue, OOB, onto Washington
Avenue, en route to Old Orchard Beach
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_060
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
At the Tabernacle Turnout on Union Avenue, Old Orchard Beach waiting
to turn onto Washington Avenue heading towards Old Orchard Beach
On Saco Avenue, Old Orchard Beach, with the Old Orchard House in
the background - O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_073
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
On Old Orchard Street, after turning from Saco Avenue, heading toward
the end of the line at the B & M RR crossing at Old Orchard Beach
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_084
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
E. I. Hill. Here he is at Kelley's Turnout, on
Orchard Street (now Old Orchard Road),
No. 10 in the background. He is using
the B&S phone to talk with the dispatcher
back at the carbarn.
Photo by Gerry Cunningham
Turning out from Orchard Street (now Old Orchard Road) onto Beach
Street as the Farewell fans return to the carbarn. There they will board
Birney car No 607 and travel the Saco-Biddeford route as the second
portion of the fan trip.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_002
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
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No. 607, a one-man, single-truck, Birney Safety Car, was originally a Portland Railroad (PRR) car purchased from the Wason Company in 1919. The B&S bought No. 607 and several other Birney cars from the PRR in 1937.
No. 607 with the Farewell fans on board after leaving the Beach Street
carbarn are on Main Street in downtown Saco. Heading to Biddeford.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_096
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Elm Street, Biddeford, heading to Main Street
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_045
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Elm Street, Biddeford, heading back to Main Street
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_042
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Main Street, Saco, Nourses Crossing, heading to Beach Street
Main Street, Saco, Nourses Crossing, heading to Beach Street
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_107
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
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No. 31 is a double-truck, 12-bench, open car, that, like No. 10, was purchased from the J. G. Brill Company. It arrived, with three other 12-bench open cars, on June 6, 1900.
Click Here: Read about Car 31 and the Biddeford and Saco Railroad during the year that Car 31 arrived in the Biddeford-Saco area, 124 years ago, on June 6, 1900.
As Car 31, with all the Farewell fans on board, was leaving the Beach
Street carbarn, it derailed. Fans were actually interested to see and
in some cases, participating, in getting Car 31 back on track.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_130
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Open Car No. 49, 12-bench (1903) waiting for Car 31 to be back on track.
Across the street from the Beach Street Carbarn, Saco
Across the street from the Beach Street Carbarn, Saco. Once Car 31
was back on the tracks, it would head out for Old Orchard Beach
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_131
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
H. Lincoln "Linc" Harrison was on the Farewell trip and he actually did help the crew to put Car 31 back on track.
Click Here: Linc was featured in the Worcester, MA, Sunday Telegram, newspaper in August 1961
At Kelly's Turnout (siding) Orchard Street on (now Old Orchard Road)
towards Old Orchard Beach
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_044
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
At Kelly's Turnout (siding) Orchard Street (now Old Orchard Road)
towards Old Orchard Beach
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_011
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
At Kelly's Turnout (siding) Orchard Street (now Old Orchard Road)
towards Old Orchard Beach
Foster Leavitt, Sr. Collection
End the line in Old Orchard Beach at the B & M Railroad Crossing
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_097
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Home Tour to celebrate the 60th anniversary of it being saved.
The railroad tracks and the building on the right in the background
are in the photo taken 60 years earlier during the Farewell Fan Trip.
PWM photo
Click Here: Car 31 Returned Home to Biddeford, Saco, and OOB in 1999 - 60th Anniversary Home Tour
End the line in Old Orchard Beach at the B & M Railroad Crossing
End the line in Old Orchard Beach at the B & M Railroad Crossing
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_114
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Returning from Old Orchard Beach. On Orchard Street (now Old Orchard Road).
Just about to pass underneath the B & M RR overpass.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_033
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
After returning from Old Orchard Beach, Car 31 passed by the Saco
carbarn on Beach Street. A very short distance after the carbarn is
another B & M RR overpass. Car 31 is seen here passing under it.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_114
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
One of the stories told by John Amlaw about his being onboard Car 31 during the Farewell Fan Trip;
he talks about one of the fans, George King, and how for an extended time, George constantly pulled the rope that made the conductor's bell ring. And ring very loudly. John was in the seat located underneath where the conductor's bell was located. Bing! Bing! Bing, Bing! It was a nuisance! So, I stood up and disconnected the rope from the bell.
From Saco, on to Biddeford, up Alfred Street to Five Points. Here is
Car 31 at Five Points, leaving Alfred Street and turning towards Elm Street.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_131
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Another story while Car 31 was at the Five Points, it was decided by the handful of the group that put the trip together, that Car 31 would be the B&S car that they would save.
Main Street, Biddeford facing City Hall and heading towards Elm Street
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_131
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
in the opening photo of Car 31 at Five Points, I mentioned there is still one fan from the Farewell Fan Trip that was made on June 18, 1939, that is now 104 years old. That is Arthur Ellis, from Pennsylvania. Art was also one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington, PA.
Screenshot of Art Ellis operating No. 78 on June 8, 2024, at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
The Farewell Fan Trip came to an end...Ted, John, and Gerry knew the cost to be $150 for the car they chose (Car 31). They had a goal, to have ten friends each contribute $15. Once the dust settled down after the fan trip. They did not have a commitment from ten friends. The $150 was due on July 5, 1939. In addition, they needed money to cover the costs associated with the equipment, etc., needed for loading and transporting Car 31 to its new location.
To Be Continued...Click Here: to go to the next post "The Last Day of Trolley Opps. July 5, 1939"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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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