One of five, new ACF-Brill buses is behind Birney Car
No. 616 at the end of the line at Old Orchard Beach late in
June 1939. Operators of the new buses were in training
until Trolley operations ended on July 5, 1939.
The buses would replace all the trolley cars on the
Biddeford and Saco Railroad beginning the morning of
July 6, 1939.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_118
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum
Happy 85th Anniversary!!
Eighty-five years ago today, on July 5, 1939, trolley cars provided their final day of public transportation for the communities served by the Biddeford Saco Railroad. July 5th was also the day that Ted Santarelli, on behalf of a small group of young men working together to save open car No. 31, of the Biddeford and Saco Railroad, from being scrapped, was able to pay a deposit to the General Manager/President of the Biddeford and Saco Railroad, J. Burton Stride.
The deposit delayed the date Car 31 might be scrapped. The balance of the cost to purchase Car 31, needed to be paid by June 14th. Ted Santarelli and his group of friends were still working hard to overcome several challenges. They were successful, and 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 and will be explained in the next post :)
Here is the link to "the next post" July 15, 1939
There will be many special events at the Seashore Trolley Museum during this 85th Anniversary season.
This blog post is going to focus on the transition of the Biddeford and Saco Railroad from Trolleys to Buses. It includes a story told by Foster Leavitt, Sr. Foster operated the last trolley that carried public passengers on the final night of public operations for the Biddeford and Saco Railroad, July 5, 1939
The next post will follow the activities that took place after the June 18, 1939, fan trip featured in the previous post, i.e., the eight men who were able to contribute some money towards the expenses, as well as working on the tasks needed to save, transport, and provide property for Car 31's "new home." These eight men would become known as the founders of the Seashore Trolley Museum.
The "Mother Car" of all trolley museums in the world,
Biddeford & Saco Railroad Company No. 31 at
Biddeford & Saco Railroad Company No. 31 at
the Seashore Trolley Museum.
Photo courtesy of Dan Vardaro.
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
Some of the text in this post is taken from the 1989 publication, Streetcars To Old Orchard Beach: The Biddeford and Saco Railroad and Connecting Lines by O. R. Cummings and Edward D. Leavitt.
Buses Take Over
Replacing trolleys with buses began in
other Maine communities in the 1920s.
Biddeford, Saco, & Old Orchard Beach
joined in the trending movement in 1939.
Sanford was still a few years from
totally completing the transition.
Journal Tribune - June 8, 1939 - Pg 10
On April 29, 1939, the directors of the Biddeford and Saco Railroad Company authorized company president Stride to seek authority from the Public Utilities Commission to operate motor coaches. On May 6, Stride was empowered by the BSRR Board to purchase "such buses as he deems best suited to our needs and execute necessary contracts for same."
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).
This announcement of the buses taking over was learned by three friends who were trolley fans. They were fond of the Biddeford and Saco line, in particular, the open cars used in regular daily operations during spring, summer, and fall. Practically in unison, they blurted out the need to try and save one of the trolley cars of the Biddeford and Saco. Over the next few weeks, they would work together; to gather friends, raise money, and implement a plan to save one of the cars. These actions would lead to the founding of what we know as the Seashore Trolley Museum.
The arrival of the buses was delayed. The State Public Utilities Commission authorized the replacement of trolley cars with buses. The Biddeford and Saco announced the new date of the change to busses that take place on July 5, 1939.
Biddeford Daily Journal - June 22, 1939
Daily Kennebec Journal - June 23, 1939
Five buses, each seating 29 passengers, had been ordered from the ACF Brill Motors, and with their arrival, the training of operators began. By early July all was in readiness and the last trolleys were run on Wednesday, July 5, with the buses being placed in operation the next morning.
Portland Press Herald - June 23, 1939
As Day One of bus operation approached, many residents of Biddeford and Saco took sentimental last trolley rides to the beach and the railway did a land office business on July 1 and 2 and on Independence Day. Every available open car was in service on the holiday, and Birney cars were run as well.
Biddeford Daily Journal - June 24, 1939
All the remaining trolley cars (24), with the exception, of Open Car 31 and the body of Birney Safety Car No. 615 (both are at the Seashore Trolley Museum), that were still at the Beach Street Carbarn of the B&SRR on July 5, 1939, were all going to be scrapped within several days, of the buses taking over. The carbarn itself was also going to be totally razed and replaced with a new building to house/maintain the bus fleet.
Reportedly, on July 5, three open cars and three Briney cars were on the line during the final day, with open Car No. 246, an ex-Portland car making the last regular trip off the beach at night. Later, Birney Car No. 616, running as a charter car, carried the mayor and city councilors of Saco on a round trip between the city hall and the beach. Eugene I. Hill was the motorman and when No. 616 returned to the Beach Street Carhouse, well after midnight, the power was shut off, and trolley operations in Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach were a thing of the past. In addition to open car 246, we know open Car 31 also was used to carry passengers on July 5, 1939, and that Birney Car No. 605 was used as well.
This full-page article for folks to save on the final day of trolley operations on the Biddeford and Saco railroad on July 5, 1939, is below and is divided into separate segments...fyi
Full Page - Biddeford Daily Journal - July 5, 1939
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
A copy of the photo used in the newspaper article above.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_16_058
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum
.jpg)
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
Biddeford and Saco Box Car No. 10. Built in 1899. Arrived
in Saco early in 1900 and operated on the line until the end in 1939.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_062
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum
.jpg)
Ibid
.jpg)
Biddeford and Saco Opn Car No. 246 was the last
open car to operate on the line on July 5, 1939.
Here is a photo of Open car No. 246 waiting on the siding on Beach Street
across from the Saco Carhouse. Photo taken during the June 18, 1939 fan trip.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_143
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum
.jpg)
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
Ibid
The Seashore Trolley Museum does have one of the next-generation
ACF-Brill buses, from 1947. Here is No. 31. It seats 39.
Matt Cosgro photo -
Courtesy of Seashore Trolley Museum
.jpg)
.jpg)
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
This is a copy of the photo used in the article above. Single-truck
Open Car, No. 21. A 10-bench open car built in 1896 for the BSRR.
Operated on the line until 1920.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_16_059
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum
.jpg)
ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
The one-man cars from 1919-1939 were mostly
Birney Safety Cars. Either made by American Car Co.
or Wason Company.
Ibid
Here is a photo of No. 34, one of the many single-truck, one-man,
Birney Safety Cars by the BSRR from 1919 until 1939.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_16_013
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum
.jpg)
Beach Street Carbarn of the BSRR.
Ibid
Here is a photo of the Saco Carbarn. The handful of Birney Safety Cars
seen are all being prepared to be scrapped. 1939
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_14_162
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum
Birney Safety Car No. 605, operated by Ray Bellefieulle,
at "Cemetery Curve" on Beach Street, about to enter
Orchard Street (now Old Orchard Road) en route to
Old Orchard Beach on the final day of trolley car operations
on the Biddeford and Saco Railroad - July 5, 1939.
Foster Leavitt, Sr. Collection
Courtesy of Mike Leavitt
Open Car No. 31 crossing the Saco River as it approaches
Biddeford from Saco on July 5, 1939, the final day of
trolley car operations for the Biddeford and Saco Railroad.
Foster Leavitt, Sr. Collection
Courtesy of Mike Leavitt
Foster Leavitt, Sr. and his brother, Edward (Eddie), were both motorman/conductors for the Biddeford and Saco Railroad when the transition to buses happened. Their father, Charles "Bob" Leavitt had worked for the Biddeford and Saco Railroad for thirty-nine years, beginning in the late 1890s. As mentioned in the opening text of this post, Eddie is the co-author with O. R. Cummings on the 1989 publication, Streetcars To Old Orchard Beach: The Biddeford and Saco Railroad and Connecting Lines by O. R. Cummings and Edward D. Leavitt. Foster Leavitt Sr. and his brother Eddie were both members of the Seashore Trolley Museum and were volunteer motormen/conductors and dispatchers. in the 1970s and 80s.
During a Trolley Museum event on August 31, 1988, Foster Leavitt, Sr. was interviewed by member, Edward Dooks. The recording was transcribed by Ed. Here is a portion of the interview where Foster describes working at the B&S during the end of the trolleys.
"I operated the last open trolley car, the last regular run out of Old Orchard Beach through Biddeford and Saco and back to the barn after midnight, July 5, 1939, when they started buses the next day. I remember we had the instructor from the ACF Company teaching us how to drive buses and we had him on the trolley with us. We let him run it just a little, but I'll tell you it was a little bit wild. There was a fairly good load of people in the car, local people mostly. The atmosphere was on the sad side; it was to me anyway. This is something I had been born to really. My Dad worked on the trolleys as a motorman for 39 years, so it was sort of bred into me, I guess, and I still miss it today. Of course, Seashore does help."
Open Car No. 246 about to depart from the end of the line in
Old Orchard Beach at midnight. Motorman, Foster Leavitt, Sr.,
with conductor, Jim Feeney during the final public ride for
the Biddeford and Saco Railroad on the night of July 5, 1939.
Photo by Edward D. Leavitt in the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Collection
Courtesy of Mike Leavitt
The final trolley to operate on the Biddeford and Saco railroad on
the night of July 5, 1939, was the special charter ride for the Mayor
of Saco and the many City Council members of Saco. Here they
are just before boarding Birney Safety Car No. 616. Far left is
the operator, Eugene "Gene" Hill.
Photo - Foster Leavitt, Sr. Collection
Courtesy of Mike Leavitt
The final trolley to operate on the Biddeford and Saco railroad on
the night of July 5, 1939, was the special charter ride for the Mayor
of Saco and the many City Council members of Saco. Here they are
on Birney Safety Car No. 616, with the BSRR operator, Gene Hill
standing in the back. The Saco City officials: Sitting on the Left -
Robert Alexander, Alderman, Louis Brock, Mayor, Roland Emerson,
Alderman, Myron Dolby, Alderman, and Mr. Oneil, Jailer.
Sitting on the Right - four seats back - William Wright and Leon Libby
Photo - Foster Leavitt, Sr. Collection
Courtesy of the Saco Museum
The first buses left both Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach at 6 am., Thursday, July 6, the initial schedule called for 69 trips daily from Biddeford to Old Orchard Beach and 72 trips in the opposite direction. The 15-minute headway of the trolleys was continued and the running time was one-half hour, the 15-cent through fare being retained. Four coaches appear to have been in service at one time, the fifth being held in service.
Portland Press Herald - July 6, 1939
Biddeford Daily Journal July 6, 1939
Biddeford Daily Journal - July 6, 1939
According to a report, the first Sunday of bus operation, July 9, was a nightmare, for the Biddeford and Saco Railroad. At one time, all five buses were snarled in traffic at Old Orchard Beach. But, gradually, all the "bugs" were worked out and by the end of 1939, another bus had been acquired and the coach service was well established.
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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