85 Years Ago Today - July 5, 1939 - Trolley Cars Final Day - Buses Take Over the B&S RR - Deposit Made For Car 31

One of five new ACF-Brill buses is behind the 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

Click Here

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 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

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. The 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.

Biddeford Saco Journal - May 25, 1939 - page 2

    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 buses that took 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), except for 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 car barn 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 Birney 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 was also 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

Ibid

A copy of the photo used in the newspaper article above.

 O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_16_058 

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum

Ibid

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

Ibid

Biddeford and Saco Open 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

Ibid

Ibid

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

Ibid

Ibid

Ibid

Ibid

Ibid

Ibid

Ibid

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

ibid

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

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 motormen and 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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View

Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View

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 first 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

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive

Waterville, Fairfield & Oakland Street Railway - Foster Leavitt, Sr. Collection - Album No. 7

Waterville, Fairfield & Oakland Street Railway (WF&O)

photo. College Avenue looking north toward Fairfield in 1920.

The turnout is just south of this location. The waiting station

is on the left. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Foster Leavitt, Sr., and his brother, Edward "Eddie" Leavitt, like their father, Charles "Bob" Leavitt, worked as motormen and conductors for the Biddeford and Saco Railroad Company (B&SRR). The B&SRR, like the Waterville and Fairfield Railroad Company, began as a horsecar railroad, then transitioned to become an electric railroad. Foster and Eddie were early members of the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. Foster Sr's love of trolleys was also passed down to his son Foster Leavitt, Jr. Between the father and son, they collected hundreds and hundreds of photos of electric railways and railroads from all over the State of Maine and many cities in the U.S.

Foster, Jr's son, Mike Leavitt, was very kind and shared the many photo albums with me. Mike allowed me to copy photos and gave me permission to share the photos. In sharing, I always credit Mike's grandfather/father and individuals who may be credited on the backs of the photos.

Included in this post below are more than 85 photos of the WF&O from Album No. 7 of the Foster Leavitt, Sr. Collection that his grandson, Mike, now has in his possession. These photos include some from the Waterville and Fairfield Railroad Company, the Waterville & Fairfield Railway & Light Company, the Waterville & Oakland Street Railway, and the Waterville, Fairfield & Oakland Railway Company. 

To show my appreciation to the Leavitt family, I'll share a few photos of them beginning the WF&O pictorial.

Foster Leavitt, Sr. (left) is the motorman. His brother,

Edward "Eddie" (right) was the conductor of Car 31 in 1938.

Like their father, Charles"Bob" Leavitt, both brothers

worked for the Biddeford and Saco Railroad for many years.

Charles "Bob" Leavitt at the Saco carbarn in 1921.

Mr. Leavitt worked as a motorman at the

Biddeford and Saco Railroad for 39 years,

beginning in 1896. Seashore's Car 31 arrived

in Saco in June 1900, and Mr. Leavitt was one

of the motormen operating Car 31 from day 1.

Eddie Leavitt (left) was the conductor

and his brother, Foster Leavitt, Sr. (right), was the motorman

on Car 31 at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport

in 1977. Both operated cars at the Museum throughout

the 1960s, 1970s, and into the 1980s.

Click Here: for the post on the ten Maine railway-related cars in the Seashore Trolley Museum's collection that have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1980, including Car 31. 

June 23, 1999 - In 1999, as one of the activities to celebrate

the 60th anniversary of the Seashore Trolley Museum and

the saving of Car 31, I organized a "Home Tour" for Car 31.

Car 31 returned to Saco, Biddeford, and Old Orchard Beach.

I did not know Mike Leavitt at the time. However, he, his wife,

and their two daughters attended the Saco celebration. Here they

are on Car 31 with Mike's grandfather, Foster Sr's motorman hat

on the bumper, that he wore while working for the B&SRR.

Mike's wife and daughters with Mike on

Car 31  on August 12, 2023, reenacting the previous Car 31 photoshoot from 1999.

I just happened to take this photo of Mike's daughters

gifting their great-grandfather's B&SRR motorman hat to

Dyer Library with Car 31 in the background on June 23, 1999

Mike and his whole family are on Car 31. They represent

six generations connected with Car 31 over 123 years!

August 12, 2023

Separately, if you would like to view posts on the Fairfield & Shawmut Railway Company, the Benton & Fairfield Railway Company, the Lewiston, Auburn & Waterville Street Railway, or the Rockland, Thomaston & Camden Street Railway, simply click on the names.

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Collection - Album No. 7.

In the possession of his grandson, Mike Leavitt.

Label with the list of contents inside Album No. 7.

Click Here: for the post of the biography of former Fairfield resident, Amos Fitz Gerald, the Electric Railway King of the Pine Tree State.

Many photos did not have a date written on the back. If a particular trolley car and its number were listed, I could establish a range of years that the photo was taken. I tried my best to have each photo have a caption with a date.

As folks view the photos, their locations, dates, and names of motormen and conductors, if you can clarify any of the points or know any aspect to be mislabeled, please let me know, and I can make the correction/addition.

Here we go...enjoy!

WF&O Western Avenue, Waterville, was dug up, and cement

was poured/laid. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Second Rangeway, Waterville

March 1920. Looking west, a person is standing in front of

the waiting station on the right.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Second Rangeway, Waterville, March 1920.

Looking east, the spire at the peak of the waiting station roof

is visible just over the top of the pile of snow on the left.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Oakland line.

Edwin "Bill" Robertson & George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Church Street, Oakland, looking toward Main Street.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O looking east with approaching Fairgrounds at left

with the sand car No. 30 (1927-1937) at the turnout at

the top of the hill.  George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Fairfield line with the town of Oakland in

the background. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O with the town of Oakland in the background.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O - Second Rangeway

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O - Looking west - Second Rangeway

with the waiting station on the right.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O mainline between Second Rangeway and

the Fairgrounds. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O mainline between Second Rangeway and

the Fairgrounds. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O - Trolley coming down Grove Street Hill, Waterville.

This is the third hill. The picture is of cars Nos. 11 or

No. 12 or No. 13 at the foot of Grove Hill, 1904/05.

Just about where the car is in the photo was the end of

the line in 1904/05. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O mainline between Second Rangeway and

the Fairgrounds. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O mainline between Second Rangeway and

the Fairgrounds. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 on the Colby College campus turnout on

College Avenue, Waterville. August 1936.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O trolley at the top of Grove Street Hill. There are

three hills on Grove Street. Looking west.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103  (1931-1937) inside Fairfield carbarn.

A second trolley, No.34, can be seen in the background on

the left in the 2nd carbarn. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Water Street, Waterville.

The hill in the background on the right is Lockwood Hill.

Looking South. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Main Street, Fairfield.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Water Street near Gold Street

in Waterville, looking south.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) heading up Main Street to

the Post Office Square in Waterville. The trolley is heading

north toward Fairfield. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on East Main Street, Oakland.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Water Street turnout.

Looking south. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Main Street, Fairfield.

Looking north toward the end of the line.

No. 103 is near Burell Street. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) turning from Grove Street

onto Water Street, Waterville. Looking south.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on East Main Street, Oakland.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) at the waiting station (small

building on the left with a spire extending up from the roof)

near the Oakland to Waterville Road. Looking east with

No.103 headed toward Oakland. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Looking south at WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) is heading

north toward Fairfield on College Avenue, near

Spruce Street, Waterville.  George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Looking north at WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) is heading

north toward Fairfield, a few hundred feet from the turnout.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Looking south at WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) is heading

north toward Fairfield on College Avenue, near Terry Street,

Waterville. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Looking south at WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) is heading

north in Fairfield on Main Street.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 102 (1931-1937) at Fairfield carbarn one month

after being purchased from the Rockland, Thomaston &

Camden Street Railway in 1931. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 102 (1931-1937)on the trestle crossing

the Massalonskee Stream at the Cascade Woolen Mill.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 103 (1931-1937) on Western Avenue, Waterville.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 101 (1931-1937) crossing the bridge heading

toward Waterville near the Fairgrounds.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 101 (1931-1937) on Main Street, Fairfield at

The Gerald on June 18, 1935. Nos. 101, 102, and 103 were

acquired from the Rockland, Thomaston, & Camden Street

Railway in 1931. A Roger Borrup photograph in the George E.

Cantara Photo Collection in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo

Album Collection No. 7. Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 101 is on its side as it's being scrapped - 1937.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 60 in 1931. No. 60 was purchased from

Brocton & Plymouth Street Railway in 1929.

Charles D. Heseltine Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 101 (1931-1937) on Western Avenue, Waterville.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 60 (1930-1937) near the carbarn in Fairfield.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 60 (1930 -1937) in Waterville.

Edwin "Bill" Robertson /George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 60 (1930-1937) at Fairfield Carbarn.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

A WF&O double-truck "Birney" trolley and a No. "50-series"

trolley at the turnout at the Colby College campus on the right,

and where the Maine Central Railroad (MCRR) was on the left.

(1918-1937) Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album

Collection No. 7. Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Interior of WF&O No. 56 (1922-1937). Acquired from

Rockland, Thomaston  & Camden Street Railway in 1922.

Edwin "Bill" Robertson/George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Builder's photo of WF&O No. 52 (built 1918) -

The G. C. Kuhlman Car Company, Cleveland, OH.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Brand new WF&O No. 52  on Main Street, Fairfield in 1918.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 54 (1922-1937) in front of the Fairfield carbarn.

Frank E. Butts Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O, No. 42 between Oakland and Waterville. 

March 6, 1925. Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 44 is ready to be unloaded at the MCRR 

freight yard in Waterville in 1922. Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 42 near Fairfield (1922-1933)

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O, No. 42 on the Oakland line, March 6, 1925.

Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 42 (1922-1933) in front of the carbarn in Oakland.

Adelbert "Del" Decker - 3rd from right.

Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 42 on Main Street, Oakland.

Adelbert "Del" Decker, operator circa 1928.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 40 in Oakland circa 1935.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 40 with "Del" Decker circa 1928.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 40 in Oakland. June 18, 1935

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Interior of WF&O No. 34 (looks to be early in the process

of being scrapped - 1937)

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Nos. 34 and 44, being scrapped at the

Oakland carbarn - 1937. George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 34 in Waterville. No. 34 (1926-1937) was acquired

from Rockland, Thomaston & Camden Street Railway in 1926.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 34  at Oakland carbarn 1932

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O, No. 34 (1926-1937) was built by the Wason Company for 

the Rockland, Thomaston & Camden Street Railway and was 

acquired by the WF&O in 1926. Charles D. Heseltine Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 23 (1911-1922) "split the switch" and struck

a utility pole at the Fairfield Carbarn. George E. Cantara

Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 16 at Messalonski Hall carbarn in Oakland, circa

1911. No. 16, a former Boston Elevated Railway trolley.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Nos. 17 and 18 were ten-bench open cars that were

originally purchased in 1891 by Waterville & Fairfield St. Rwy.

In 1911, they became WF&O cars. No. 17 was scrapped in 1920.

No. 18 was scrapped in 1922. This photo is at the Fairfield carbarn.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 20  on East Main Street, Oakland. No. 20 is

headed toward the carbarn circa 1912.

George E. Cantara Postcard in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 10 on Water Street at Sherwin Turnout, Waterville.

L. Eugene Nolette (l) and  R. Henry Proulx (r) circa 1914.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&L, No. 13, at Grove Street, Waterville, 1904.

L-R is conductor William McAuley, Lloyd A. McAuley,

Hazel McAuley and motorman Joseph Gillis.

End of the line at the top of the hill in front of

the Pine Grove Cemetery. Tracks were later extended to

Silver Street. Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&L No. 8 (1903-1911) near the front of Oakland carbarn.

No. 8 was a "Duplex Convertible." The sides of the car were

rolled up into the roof pockets. Left is motoman Lew Hutchinson,

with conductor G. T. Leavitt on the right at the end of the car.

Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&L No. 12 (1900-1911), a 12-bench open car at the end

of the line in Fairfield. Bill Ireland (l) was the conductor,

and Walter Steeves (r) was the motorman.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 2 (1903-1911)(No. 20- 1911-1922)

Main Street, Waterville.

Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Messalonskee Hall on Messalonskee Lake (view from the lake)

was a combination car barn and dance hall in Oakland for

Waterville and Fairfield Railway circa 1905.

Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Messalonskee Hall, the combination car barn and dance hall

at Oakland, Maine, as it looked in 1905. Cars are 14-bench

open No. 3, formerly owned by the Portland & Brunswick

Street Railway Company and Duplex No. 6. At the extreme

left is Amos F. Gerald, and next to him, partially hidden by

No. 3 is Superintendent Lester Choate.

Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Click Here: for the post of the biography of Fairfield resident, Amos Fitz Gerald, the Electric Railway King of the Pine Tree State.

WF&L end of the line in Fairfield at the Gerald Hotel.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 9 on its side in Shoddy Hollow, North Vasselboro

1920. WF&O work car (probably No. 33 

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O, No. 33 (1924-1937) work car at the Fairgrounds.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 2 snow plow on Oakland line, 1920.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O, Oakland line, reopened after a snowstorm.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O No. 8 snow plow. (1931-1937) was acquired from 

Rockland, Thomaston & Camden Street Railway in 1931.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

W&F No. 2 snow plow in front of the Fairfield car barn,

circa 1903. No. 2 was built by the Waterville and Fairfield

Railway. It is said that the plow blades were fabricated at

the Maine Central Railroad shops in Waterville.

Photo in Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Nos. 2, 50, 54, 56, 52, and line car No. 33 at

the Fairgrounds, each awaiting its turn to be scrapped - 1937.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O Nos. 40, 2 snow plow and inside Fairfield carbarn

after the carbarn survived a fire on January 21, 1936.

Edwin"Bill" Robertson/George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Shoveling out the snow in front of the Oakland carbarn.

Photo looking toward Main Street.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

WF&O end of the line at the Oakland carbarn.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Interior of the WF&O Oakland carbarn circa 1937.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

Waterville & Fairfield Railway No. 1 June 23, 1888.

The first horsecar to operate between Fairfield and Waterville.

Theodore F. Stephens is seen here as the driver of the first car.

He was operating the controller of the last trolley for a portion

of the final trip from Waterville to Fairfield departed at

12:40 a.m., on October 11, 1937. A couple of hours later,

the regular operator of the trolley, Ernest J. King, returned

the trolley to the Fairfield carbarn, thus ending service.

Buses began service at 5:15 a.m.

George E. Cantara Photo in

Foster Leavitt, Sr.'s Photo Album Collection No. 7.

Courtesy of Mike Leavitt.

These next few photos of WF&O are in the Edwin "Bill" Robertson Collection that I have in my possession.

(Circa 1930-1937)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View

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 first 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

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive