A drawing by Francis Monahan - No. 44 of the Biddeford & Saco Railroad.
From the Maine Historical Society archives in Portland, ME.
Front cover of the July 1938, Volume l, Number 5, issue of the
Portland (Maine) Division of the Electric Railroaders Association
(ERA) newsletter, The Maine Electric Transiteer.
the July 1938 issue of the Transiteer. Here is a Charles Duncan photo
of No. 44, taken on March 26, 1936, from the O. R. Cummings Collection
2009_2_14_026 Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Last summer (2023) I conducted research on the Seashore Trolley Museum founders during 1939. I reached out to some Museum friends asking them to share any information they might have to help with my research. Several were able to share some great information. I was very grateful. Kevin Farrell shared two original copies of the Maine Electric Transiteer newsletter from 1938. I had never heard of the newsletter. I found them incredibly interesting, full of wonderful information, and very timely as the contents clearly were stepping stones for the path leading to what would become the activities that saved Car 31 and began what we know today as the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Click Here: for the post on the March 1938 (The Very First Issue) Transiteer newsletter
Click Here: for the post on the April 1938 Transiteer newsletter
Click Here: for the post on the May 1938 Transiteer newsletter
Click Here: for the post on the June 1938 Transiteer newsletter
Click Here: for the post on the Feb/Mar 1939 Transiteer newsletter
I looked online and was able to acquire one original copy of the Maine Electric Transiteer newsletter from 1939. It too was full of stepping stones for the path leading to the founding of the Museum. And that was how the summer ended. Only three newsletters were located.
Last week, I began my summer 2024 research for additional materials on people and places during the late 1930s. This year, I subscribed to the Portland Press Herald so that I could access the online newspaper archives. Wow! What a great choice I made. I located more than 50 articles so, far (in just a few days ) that feature the Portland (Maine) Division of the ERA, their members, activities, fan trips, etc.
Seeing how several of the members lived close to the greater Portland area and in Charles D. Heseltine's case, for some time, he worked for the Maine Historical Society (MHS) in Portland. I reached out via email to the research department at MHS. Gave some background on what I was up to and asked for help on a couple of topics...Charles D. Heseltine and the Portland Division of the ERA and in particular, the Transiteer newsletter.
I received a prompt reply from Mia Sigler, Reference Librarian at the Brown Research Library. She provided a list of Charles's Collections and yes, there were five original issues of the Transiteer newsletter. Three that I did not have. Mia shared the process and costs related to the scanning of the items. We moved ahead and I received all three copies this afternoon!! (Thursday, June 19, 2024) Awesome!
Thank you, Mia 😊 I look forward to planning time to spend checking out the Charles D. Heseltine Collections :)
I will be reviewing the three previous posts released last year on the Transiteer newsletters. To see if I need to update.
This is one in a series of posts related to the Portland Division of the ERA. I look forward to sharing their activities over the short time they were an active group. I haven't located the date when the end of the group came about. Conversations have generated ideas that perhaps when the trolley operations in Portland came to an end in 1941. The onset of WWII may have had an impact on the ending of the group. I'll keep searching...
The Portland Division of the ERA was officially established on October 4, 1937.
This page shares the schedule of the June 5th fan trip and the Boston
excursion.
Page 2
Schedule for the ERA fan trip on Sunday, June 5, 1938.
Portland Press Herald - June 4, 1938 - Page 12
Map of the YUCo system
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_5_059
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
The ERA fan trip began in Sanford at the York Utilities Company (YUCo) carbarn on River Street.
The York Utilities Carbarn on River Street in Sanford. The line car on
the far left, No. 108, was originally a U. S. Mail/Express Car (1904-1918).
The other two car numbers are unknown. Both look to be Birney cars.
During the late 1940s, the Seashore Trolley Museum acquired No. 108,
in addition, the Museum acquired; No. 8 (single-truck baggage trailer),
Nos. 80 & 82 (single truck Birney cars formerly from Denver, CO),
No. 88 (double-truck Birney car formerly from East Taunton, MA),
and No. 100 (double-truck electric locomotive)
Charles Duncan Photo c1935 (One of the earliest members along with
the founders of what would become the Seashore Trolley Museum)
in the O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_5_083
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Click Here: for the post on the history of the York Utilities Company 1923-1949
No. 108 is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Originally, Portsmouth, Dover & York Street Railway (PD&Y)
PD&Y No. 108 came to Seashore from York Utilities Co.
in 1949. 108 had exterior restoration work in the early 1980s
in preparation for use in 1983 for the first-day-issue stamp
ceremony at STM (1983). It needs the interior restored and
its exterior needs to be refreshed. PWM photo
Click Here: for the post on the ten Maine railway vehicles listed in the National Register of Historic Places - including the vehicles acquired from YUCo; Nos. 8, 80, 82, 88, 100, and 108.
The ERA fans used a freight motor for the trip around the YUCo system. Currently, which freight motor was actually used is uncertain. Research shows that in 1938 there may have only been three active YUCo freight cars available. Nos. 101, 104, and 105. Nos. 104 and 105 had been set aside for several years and only used rarely. No. 101 seems to be the most likely one that was used for this fan trip.
No. 104 - Built in 1907 - is at the Atlantic Shore Line Carbarn.
This photo was taken c1915. The carbarn was one of the stops
the ERA members made and found some nuggets to keep.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_7_099
Click Here: for the post on the history of the Atlantic Shore Line 1900-1910
No. 105 - Built in 1906 - photo c1910
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_9_065
No. 101 - Built in 1906 - was originally a locomotive - the original
locomotive center steeple cab and storage extensions were removed in 1908.
Those removed materials were added to No. 102 (See the story below
at the end of the newsletter segment). No. 101 had a complete
Freight Box body constructed on top of the original deck.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_9_064
Gene O. Hill - Superentendent of the B&SRR 1919-1942, is
mentioned in the newsletter as one who made all the fans
attending the excursion at the B&S feel right at home.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009-2_15_122
Click Here: for the post on the history of the Biddeford and Saco Railroad
Click Here: for the post on the arrival of Biddeford and Saco Railroad Open Car 31 and the operations during its first year - 1900
Biddeford and Saco open car, No. 246, with the Portland Division ERA
fans on board during their excursion trip on June 5, 1938. With the
Portland Division ERA banner displayed on No. 246's dasher, they are at
the end of B&SRR line in Old Orchard Beach.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009-2_15_108
After the Biddeford and Saco Railroad trip came to an end, the ERA fans traveled to Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthoney's home next door to OOB, at Bay View, in Saco. There Mrs. Anthoney would host the fans for dinner and they would have the opportunity to tour the
Click Here: for the post on the visit to see the Arbutus on June 5, 1938.
One of the Portland Division ERA members with the Arbutus at
Mrs. Anthoney's home in Bay View, Saco, Maine on June 5, 1938.
O R Cummings Collection
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Sadly, later, near the end of WWII, Mrs. Anthoney did scrap the Arbutus to benefit the War coffers.
A few years later, in the 1960s, the members at the Seashore Trolley Museum were able to negotiate with the owner of the body of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, No. 14, Narcissus, and by building the owner a new home, to replace the Narcissus where they had lived, the members were able to acquire the Narcissus body.
Click Here: for the post on looking back 50 years at the Narcissus being acquired.
Click Here: for the post on the beginning of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban on July 2, 1914
Click Here: for the post on the end of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban on June 28, 1933
Click Here: for the post on the sudden death of W. Scott Libbey
Click Here: for the post of the biography of W. Scott Libbey
Click Here: for the post from his Biographical section of History of Maine - pgs 175-177
This page mentions developing plans for a Labor Day excursion.
Page 3
Editorial page
Page 4
This page has a "Look Back" list for various electric railways in Maine.
Page 5
Click Here: for the post that will link you to the history of every electric railway in Maine
A look back at PortlandRR's "Coffin Transfers"
Page 6
An original ticket - unused - circa 1920 - PWM
Advertisement on the back of the ticket - PWM
Click Here: for the post on the history of the Portland Railroad - 1860-1941
Promoting membership in the ERA
Page 7
Talking about the Lewiston, Augusta, and Waterville Street Railway.
Details on why B&SRR Birney Car, No. 44, was featured on the cover.
Page 8
Click Here: for the post on the history of the Lewiston, Augusta & Waterville Street Railway
Mentions the ability to travel by trolley from Benton to Boston.
Many of the Maine Electric Railways are mentioned.
Page 9
Click Here: for the post on Destination Travel Times by Trolley - In-State and Out-of-State
Click Here: for the post that will link you to the history of every electric railway in Maine
Poetry and advertisements
Page 10
The A & K Railway is mentioned. Options for obtaining prints
and negatives of photos taken.
Page 11
Click Here: for the post on the history of the A & K (Androscoggin and Kennebec Railway
Promotional page
Page 12 Back Cover
The story of the YUCo freight motor car No. 101, most likely used during the Sanford visit on the ERA fan trip, Sunday, June 5, 1938.
The original No. 101, was one of three electric locomotives that the Atlantic Shore Line purchased from the Laconia Car Company Works in 1906. Nos. 100, 101, and 102, were identical, double truck, steeple-cab, locomotives. In 1908, the center cab and storage extensions located on each end were removed from the deck of No. 101. No. 102's cab and its extensions were moved to make room for the cab from No. 101 to be added and spliced together with 102's cab to make one large cab on the deck of No. 102.
No. 101's remaining undercarriage and deck had a complete box freight body added to it.
The original No. 101 when it was a locomotive. This photo was likely
taken during 1906, or early 1907, when the cab storage extensions on each end
still had their original metal covers.
Photo courtesy of the Sanford Historical Society
No. 102 - this photo shows that the storage extensions on either end of the center
cab had their original metal covers replaced with wooden lids. This photo
was likely taken in 1907. 1908 was when No. 101's center cab was added
to No. 102's. See the photo below.
No. 102 shortly after No. 101's center cab was joined with its center cab.
You can see where the two separate cabs were spliced together from the different
shades of the wood colors where the cabs' wood connects with each other.
The new look of the reconstructed No. 101 after the undercarriage and deck
had the body of the box freight body constructed on it.
No 100, remained in its original configuration with only some minor changes over the years. The earliest change made to all three of the original locomotives was to replace the metal hoods on each end, with wood hoods. The heat generated from the resistor grids housed under the hood became a safety issue.
In 2009, when No. 100's restoration was completed, research indicated, it was one of only two, wood, steeple-cab type electric locomotives to have survived in all of North America. The other one was known to be in British Columbia Province, in Canada, but its storage building roof/ceiling had collapsed on it.
No. 100 in its original design c1906/07 before its center cab storage
extensions' metal covers were replaced with wood lids.
September 15, 2005 - ASL-100 on its way to the
Town House Restoration Shop at Seashore Trolley
Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. It would be more than
a year before the restoration work would begin on
the National Register of Historic Places locomotive would begin in earnest.
Fast forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony that celebrated the successful completion of the complete restoration of the 1906 Atlantic Shore Line Railway electric locomotive No. 100 in September 2009.
Patricia Pierce Erikson (left) with O. R. Cummings.
O. R. Cummings was a member of the Museum for more
than 50 years. He wrote more than fifty books on New
England's electric railway systems, including the Atlantic Shore
Line Railway and the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. I couldn't
have been happier or more proud to have had O. R. be able to
have a ride on 100 that day of the ribbon-cutting.
September 25, 2009, PPE
Click Here: for the post on early restoration work on ASL No-100 in 2006
Click Here: for the post on the ten Maine railway vehicles listed in the National Register of Historic Places - including the vehicles acquired from YUCo; Nos. 8, 80, 82, 88, 100, and 108.
We continue the restoration work on the Narcissus, the only surviving interurban coach of the PLI. Please consider making a donation to the Narcissus Project to help the restoration work continue to completion.
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 this year (the gold leaf file had not been added yet).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus. The Narcissus is more than 110 years old now and has so many incredible stories to share. The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one of those incredible stories.
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.
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
Seashore Trolley Museum Promo Video
The paperback edition of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride can be purchased online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's store website. Books purchased through the Museum's website directly benefit the Museum and the Narcissus project.
Click Here to go to the Museum Store web page to order online
Click Here to go to the Amazon page to order the ebook or audiobook online
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores in Maine:
Center for Maine Crafts, West Gardiner Service Plaza
The Book Review, Falmouth
The Bookworm, Gorham
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
Illustrations by Amy J. Gagnon
Listen to a 2-minute, 30-second, Retail Audio Sample of the Audiobook
Millie Thayer is a headstrong farmer's daughter who chases her dreams in a way you would expect a little girl nicknamed "Spitfire" would run full tilt and with her eyes on the stars. Dreaming of leaving the farm life, working in the city, and fighting for women's right to vote, Millie imagines flying away on a magic carpet. One day, that flying carpet shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm. A fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. Despairing that her dreams may be shattered, Millie learns, in an unexpected way, that dreams can be shared.
A resource for teachers
Companion curriculum State-standard-based units,
vocabulary, and reading activities for use in grades 3-8
are available online as downloadable resources through
Seashore Trolley Museum's website
www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson units in Social Studies and ELA that were inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans for use in grades 6, 7, and 8 are easily adapted for use in grades 3-5. Vocabulary and Reading activities for grades 3-8 along with the eight lesson plan units are available free and may be downloaded through Seashore Trolley Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Go to the Teacher Resource Page in the pull-down for more details.
A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube
Award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive
Please Consider a Donation to the Narcissus Project to help us tell the incredible story of the Narcissus through the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project.
Here is an example of how donations to the Narcissus Project now will help with the interpretation portion of the project. The interpretation programming will include exhibits, displays, and education programming. In 2019, through generous donations to the Narcissus Project, we were able to conserve, replicate, and have high resolutions digital image files made of the original, 1910, 28.5-foot long, surveyor map of the elevation and grade of the 30-mile private right-of-way of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (Portland-Lewiston Interurban) Click Here
Thank You!
the crowd gathered in Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914.
Image courtesy of Gray Historical Society
The Narcissus as the Sabattus Lake Diner in Sabattus, Maine,
circa 1940. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
L. Henri Vallee (right) and family members in the
Narcissus, when it was Vallee's summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine circa 1958. Photo courtesy
Daniel Vallee
Inside the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Narcissus is in the midst of major work as we strive to complete its restoration. We are now planning the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Donations to the Narcissus Project may be used in the future to help tell the incredible 100-plus-year-old story of the Narcissus. Your donation to the Narcissus is helping to make the dream of the project's success, a reality.
See below for Donation options -
It starts with YOU
Your Donation Matters
Make a Donation TODAY
Please Help the Narcissus.
Donation Options to Help the Narcissus Project:
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society
is the 501c3 organization that owns and operates the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, and the National Streetcar
Museum in Lowell (MA).
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society registered with the IRS (EIN# 01-0244457) and was incorporated in Maine in 1941.
Check or Money Order ***** should be made payable to:
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
In the memo: for a donation to the Interpretation programming
please write: PLI Education Fund 817
For a donation to help with the restoration write: Narcissus Fund 816
Mail to: Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Credit Card ***** donations can be a one-time donation or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically each month. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, Jill, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2712 ext. 5.
Online Donations - may be made by using a Credit Card:
Click Here to make an online donation through the Museum's website - When at the Donation page: Fill in donor info, etc., when at "To which fund are you donating? Scroll down to "Other" and type: 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can email: finance@NEERHS.org and in the message box write:
For "Narcissus Fund 816" - if supporting the restoration
For "PLI Education Fund 817" - if supporting Interpretation programs
Donation of Securities ***** We also accept donations of
securities. You can contact the Museum bookkeeper, Jill, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2712 ext. 5,
for brokerage account information for accepting donated securities.
BONUS ***** If you work for a company/corporation that will
"match" an employee's donation to an approved 501c3 non-profit
educational organization, please be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your employer so that your donation is matched :)
Questions? ***** Please contact Narcissus project sponsor:
Phil Morse, narcissus@gmail.org or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Thank You :)
Thank You for our Current Funding Partners
* 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation - 2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Mass Bay RRE - 2018 Railroad Preservation Grant
* Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) - Staff & Alumni - Matching Grant Challenge 2014
* New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Kennebunkport, ME) - Member Donations
* Amherst Railway Society - 2015 Heritage Grant
* National Railway Historical Society - 2016 & 2015 Heritage Preservation Grants
* Enterprise Holding Foundation - 2015 Community Grant
* Theodore Roosevelt Association - Member Donations
* John Libby Family Association and Member Donations
* The Conley Family - In Memory of Scott Libbey 2018/2017/2016/2015
* The W. S. Libbey Family - Awalt, Conley, Graf, Holman, Libbey, McAvoy, McLaughlin, Meldrum, O'Halloran, Salto, - 2018/2017
* The Hughes Family 2017/2016/2010
* New Gloucester Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Public Library Association - Pat Barter Speaker Series
* Scarborough Historical Society - PRR/PLI
* LogMein - Matching Employee Donation
* IBM - Matching Employee/Retiree Donations
* Fidelity Charitable Grant - Matching Employee Donations
* Richard E. Erwin Grant - 2017/2016
The Narcissus, with interior back-lit, majestic stained glass windows.
Make a donation today to help restore the interior of this Maine gem.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track! Once restored,
you will be able to ride in luxury on this National Register Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
PWM photo
Please Consider Making a Donation to the project of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus. We are currently raising funds to advance the restoration and to tell the incredible story of this Maine gem.
Various News stories during the summer of 2015 about the
Narcissus and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. TR
was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
The Narcissus - July 31, 2015. Make a donation today.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track!
Once restored, you will be able to ride in luxury on this
National Historic Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
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