Original 1912 Right Side Sill Removed from the Narcissus

The thirty-seven-foot long, right side sill

of the 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban,

No. 14, Narcissus has been separated from

the channel steel beam that runs the full length of

the passenger compartment. Photo by PWM

     The image above: The southern yellow pine sill and its channel steel beam partner were detached from the passenger compartment as a set and laid down with the exterior of the sill "facedown" on sturdy supporting blocks. The channel steel beam was then separated from the sill, exposing the inner sides of both the sill and the channel steel beam. The heavy channel steel beam was then flipped and its inside was moved toward the passenger compartment of the Narcissus. This image shows the inside face of the side sill facing up and the exposed rusted flat "backside" of the channel steel beam. 

     The Narcissus is currently being restored at the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. The Narcissus, along with nine other historic Maine railway vehicles, has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. The Narcissus was built in 1912 at the Laconia Car Company Works in Laconia, NH. The original order was placed in April, the same month the Titanic set sail and sank, and when Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, first opened. Portland-Lewiston Interurban passenger service commenced on July 2, 1914. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.

     The Portland-Lewiston Interurban ended electric railway service, eighty-five years ago on June 28, 1933. J. Henri Vallee purchased the body of the Narcissus, minus all the mechanical and electrical components, in the late '30s for use as the family summer camp in Sabattus, Maine. The Narcissus arrived at the Seashore Trolley Museum on October 31, 1969. Forty-nine years later, we are making major progress in the restoration of this historic Maine transportation icon. This blog post shares information about the single most challenging phase of the restoration to date, the replacement of the southern yellow pine side sills and the channel steel beams that the side sills are encased in.

With the right side sill removed, inside facing up, and

separated from the rusted channel steel beam, the magnitude

of the years of wood decay is clearly evident. Many years

ago a repair was attempted at this point in the sill

which proved less than adequate. Notice the "patches" of

layered rust Photo by PWM

Jones & Laughlin, the name of the company that

made the channel steel originally for the Laconia

Car Company Works is clearly visible on the

inside of the channel steel beam. Jones &

Laughlin was also clearly visible in the

steel I-beams that run down the center

of the forty-seven-foot-long interurban,

Narcissus. Photo by PWM

Below is an edited video of the sill & channel removal created by Ernie Eaton

This bucket contains many patches of layered rust

from the steel channel. Photo by PWM

The thickness of the layers of rust attached to or

that fell from the channel steel was remarkable.

Photo by PWM

Water damage took its toll on places along the

thirty-seven-foot southern yellow pine side sill from the right

side of the Narcissus. Photo by PWM 

There are places on the channel steel that rusted

away totally. Photo by PWM

This a classic case where looks can be deceiving. Early in the

assessment processes, there was speculation that the sills/

channel steel beams were in remarkably good condition and

may only require relatively minor repairs. At worst, the

channel steel beams might need to be replaced.

Photo by PWM

As the assessment process advanced, evidence started

building in favor of the need to examine the sills and channel

beam much more closely.

As various metal components were being removed, 

the evidence clearly pointed to the need for a more aggressive

examination of the channel steel beams and sills.

Photo by PWM

Here, volunteer, Tom Hughes is digging deeper into the

buildup of rust along the length of the right side channel

steel beam and the flooring of the smoking compartment.

Photo by DGC

More tell-tail signs that there were "issues" that warranted

further inspection. Only by removing the side sill and

channel steel beam could a truly proper assessment be done.

Photo by PWM

View of the ends of the right sill and the channel

steel beam at the No. 2 end. photo by PWM 

Remarkably, only along a short segment of the

edge of the floorboard base in the smoking

compartment is there any wood damage. And

the damage is minimal. Notice how tight the

growth rings are seen on the end of the side sill

compared to the rings on the 4 x4s below the

sill. Finding old-growth southern yellow pine

to replace the two-side sill of the Narcissus

will be challenging. Photo by PWM 

The deterioration of the right sill in areas such as the one

seen above results in this sill being damaged to the point

where it cannot be repaired for use in the restoration of the

Narcissus. Sections of the sill that are in good condition will

be measured for possible use to replace deteriorated

vestibule crossbeams. Photo by PWM

Damage to the sill

areas has compromised the structural integrity of the sill.

Photo by PWM

The challenges to removing nuts and bolts that

have been in place for as long as one

hundred and six years were many. Various

means of removal were applied. 

Photo by PWM

Hundreds of nuts and bolts were removed.

The removal of most of the bolts securing the

side sills to the underframe required creativity

on the part of Ernie Eaton, the lead restoration

technician. He fabricated a bolt removal

device that would feature a 20-ton hydraulic

jack. This specialty tool proved very effective.

Photo by PWM

.

The layers of rust continued to build upon

the shaft of the body of the bolts, expanding

outward a little more each year, tightening 

its grip on the bolts housed in the sills, making

the bolts nearly impossible to extract by the

more conventional methods. 

If the bolt body twisted and snapped free, that was actually

preferable to most extraction alternatives. Photo EE

A small representation of the hundreds

removed. Photo by PWM

The left side sill seen here has had its bolts removed and is

ready to be detached from the passenger compartment with

its channel steel beam firmly attached.  Photo by PWM

The left sill side has many of the telltale signs

that the right sill had that led to an area with

major sill damage. We expect the same findings

on the left sill once removed and the channel

beam is removed. Photo by PWM

An interesting observation. The damaged areas

in the right sill were located in the area

 below where a double vertical stud was in

place, leading Ernie to surmise a steady water

flow along the inside of the vertical stud.

Further research and assessment to

follow. Photo by PWM

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

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

Portland Railroad - Westbrook, Gorham, & South Windham Revisited

 In preparation for the Westbrook electrification, four
double-truck open trolley cars were
built at PRR's own Bennett Street carhouse
shop on Munjoy Hill fin 1892 for use specifically in Westbrook.
Seen here is No. 77, one of the four open cars that were built in 1892.

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

 O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_040

     Photo and research resources used in this blog post are courtesy of Seashore Trolley Museum's Library; specifically from the O. R. Cummings Collection and Phil Morse (PWM), and O. R. Cummings books, "Portland Railroad" Part 1, 1957, and Part 2, 1959, and the Osher Maps Library at the Smith Center for Cartographic Education at University of Southern Maine Portland Campus, 314 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04101.

     Monument Square in Portland, Maine was the hub for all the early horse-drawn and electric railway systems running into and out of Portland. This blog features the high-speed, luxury interurban, No. 14, Narcissus of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI) that is now being restored at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. The Narcissus and nine other Maine vehicles used on electric railways have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. Though we are deep into the research of information and materials related to the PLI and the Narcissus for use in creating the interpretation portion of the Narcissus project, it's too hard to resist posting other interesting electric railway tidbits from Maine's transportation history. With that in mind,  from 1914 until 1933, the Narcissus, as a PLI interurban, operated in and out of Monument Square to pick up and discharge passengers. As we approach Maine's Bicentennial year (2020), this blog will release posts that relate to many electric railway operations throughout the State of Maine. One of the first in the series will be a more comprehensive look at the Portland Railroad. The 470 Railroad Club in Portland will host a public presentation on the history of the Portland Railroad beginning at 7 p.m. on October 17, 2018, at 75 State Street, Portland, Maine; the entrance to the meeting hall is on Gray Street between Gray & Park Street.

      This blog post will be a bit of a teaser for that presentation at the 470 Railroad Club next month (Oct. 2018) and will show a few images of the Portland Railroad system as it first serviced Westbrook, then later expanded to serve the communities of Gorham and So. Windham.

     Click Here to go to the post: Maine Bicentennial - Portland Railroad: A History of Public Transportation 1860-1941

     Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - Forest Avenue to Riverton Park Revisited

     Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - Congress St. Revisited: Monument Sq.-Union Sta

     Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - South Portland & Cape Elizabeth Revisited

     Click Here to go to the post: Portland Railroad - Munjoy Hill Revisited

     Click Here to go to the post: Trolleys Through Scarborough, Maine

     Click Here to go to the post: Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, West Falmouth, Maine

Stroudwater Village - horsecar trolley service starting in 

August of 1891. Stroudwater, like Deering, was originally

a part of Westbrook, and later annexed to Portland.

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

 O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_043

Stroudwater - August 31, 2018 - PWM

The church on the left is the same structure as the photo above.

     Westbrook, Maine - Late in 1891, the Portland Railroad was successful in receiving authority to build the Westbrook Extension. Two routes were considered; the first was extending the line from Stroudwater, along Westbrook Road to Westbrook. The second route and the one selected, extended from Woodford's Corner in Deering, through Woodford Street, and along Brighton Avenue to Cumberland Mills and Westbrook.  In June 1891, the Portland Railroad had electrified its Deering line.  The new Westbrook line extension would open as an electrified line on June 29, 1892.

The Westbrook line of the Portland Railroad was

electrified before the Munjoy Hill section in Portland.

Most of the early electric cars for Westbrook operations

were kept in the Beckett Street carbarn on Munjoy Hill.

Here is an image of horses towing an electrified

trolley from the Beckett Street carbarn on its way to

Monument Square. Monument Square was electrified and

the Westbrook-bound car could then be used on the Westbrook

line. This horse transfer took place in 1895.

Courtesy of  O.R. Cummings' book,

"Portland Railroad - Part 1" April 1957.

Postcard date-stamped July 10, 1911, showing a PRR trolley

car on Main Street in Westbrook, ME. The stone building on

the right is Walker Public Library at 795 Main Street.

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_030

Walker Library at 795 Main Street Westbrook.

Image from Google Maps 2018

The Westbrook line was busy in the early years

of operation and it was customary for several years for an open

trolley car such as No. 77 seen here, having a former open

horsecar trolley as a trailer to carry the increase in passengers.

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_057 

PRR No. 175 at the end of the line on the western end of 

Main Street in Westbrook. The trolley pole is set up for a return to

Portland c 1930 - Westbrook Tire Shop offering Fisk Tires

in the background - right. No. 175 was built for the PRR by

the J. G. Brill Co., in Philadelphia, PA in 1902.

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_039

Portland Railroad No. 155 is a 14-bench, double-truck

open trolley car built for the PRR in 1901 by the J. G.

Brill Co., in Philadelphia, PA. Seen here probably on the

Westbrook-Gorham line loading passengers for a lovely

summer trip to Portland.

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_061

A reprinted map, circa 1910, "Trolleying

Through the Heart of Maine." 

Distributed by the Portland Railroad

and the Lewiston, Augusta, and

Waterville Street Railway. Courtesy

Seashore Trolley Museum

Plate #9 -Portland, Westbrook. 

Gorham, and South Windham line.

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library

The Illustrated Atlas of Maine's Street and

Electric Railways 2015

     Gorham, Maine - Three years after the Portland Railroad (PRR) opened its Westbrook line, the PRR organized the Portland Extension Railroad in July 1895, to extend the line 4 miles to Gorham. Legal issues stalled plans until January 1901, when the PRR gained stock control of the Westbrook, Windham & Naples Railway. A route from Mosher's Corner to Gorham Village was laid out and construction began. On June 21, 1901, the first electric car entered the village, followed on June 26 by another car carrying a party of about 30 Eastern Starr members and one Railroad Commissioner. Regular service followed.

Central Square Gorham, ME - June 1901

Courtesy Osher Map Libray:

J. A. Waterman Glass Plate Negative Collection

Title: Construction at Electric Road 

Central Square, Gorham, ME - June 1901

Courtesy Osher Map Libray:

J. A. Waterman Glass Plate Negative Collection

Title: First Car on the Electric Road

Central Square, Gorham, ME

Image from Google Maps 2018

The home on the left is at 48 Main Street, Gorham 1904

Courtesy Osher Map Libray:

J. A. Waterman Glass Plate Negative Collection

Title: Main Street Winter 1904

  The home on the left is at 48 Main Street, Gorham, ME
Image from Google Maps 2018

Central Square, Gorham

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_060

Corner of Main and South Sts, Gorham, ME

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_044

A busy day in Gorham, ME as five 14-bench open trolley

cars, each with at least 75 passengers, are in line preparing to

leave Central Square.

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_058

     South Windham, Maine - The Portland Railroad had competitors for providing electric railway service to Westbrook, Gorham, and South Windham. These challenges were part of what caused delays in constructing the line. One of the competitors was the Westbrook, Windham & Naples Railway (first known as the Westbrook, Windham & Harrison Railway) first graded a right-of-way from Westbrook to South Windham in the fall of 1898; following the old Gorham Road from Westbrook to Mosher's Corner and then continuing on to South Windham. By early July of 1899, rails had been laid from Westbrook to Mosher's Corner and overhead was being erected. Early in August, the first trolley car was tested on the line. The grand opening in South Windham took place on August 17, 1899. Stock control of the Westbrook, Windham, & Naples Railway was achieved by the PRR in January 1901.

No. 3 was one of the two original closed trolley cars from

1899 by the American Car Company in St. Louis, MO for the

Westbrook, Windham & Naples Railway.  c 1899

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_051

No. 3 clearly had trouble staying on the tracks this day.

c 1899

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_052

An open trolley car in South Windham. The sign reads, J. H. 

Kilgore - Livery. 

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_049

Passengers traveling on trolley cars heading to and returning

from the Westbrook line (South Windham, Gorham, and

Westbrook) to access parts of Portland would travel

along Brighton Avenue to Woodford Street then

to Woodford's Corner. Seen here is the intersection of

Brighton Ave. and Woodford St where 

Woodford Street is on the left of the gas station. The trolley

is stopped on Brighton Ave. where Colonial Road

connects.

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_017

No. 158 in the snow with destination sign; South Windham

via Brighton Avenue. 158 was built in 1901 by the

J. G. Brill Co., for operation on the Westbrook line of PRR.

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_062

Half of the original electric trolley car fleet of the Westbrook,

Windham & Naples Railway. No. 4 open trolley car

and No. 1 closed trolley car with a trailer that was a

horsecar from the Boston West End system. 

The trailer was scrapped immediately following the PRR

takeover of the WW&N Railway. This image c 1900

Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:

O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_36_067

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

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