Narcissus Restoration Update - Mid-September 2016

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers

wire-brushed the iron carlines before painting with rust inhibitor

primer. The remaining ash wood roof ribs will be removed,

assessed, replaced, or repaired, sanded, primed, stained/painted,

and reinstalled. PWM

Narcissus with most of the ash wood roof ribs removed. PWM

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers
remove nails and prepare ash roof ribs for sanding and repairs.
PWM

Donald Curry, the lead restoration technician for the Narcissus
restoration, is measuring the "bow" in each of the ash wood roof
ribs. Some have become too "flat" and may not be reused.
The weight of the two trolley pole bases flattened some ribs
too much to reuse, and, perhaps, when a camp for more than 30
years, snow accumulation caused some roof ribs to flatten
too much? When the time comes, new ash ribs will be cut
and steam-bent to the proper bow to replace the flattened
or unrepairable ribs. PWM

Each end of each ash roof rib was stamped with markings
when removed. These markings identify the rib number
and the end on the left/right side of the roof. There are
more than sixty ribs. Here you see the nail holes that will be
filled and sanded before the top is primed and
the sides and bottom stained. PWM

A few of the ash wood roof ribs, waiting to have the repaired nail
holes sanded. You can see the ID letters/numbers on these ribs by
looking near the screw holes. PWM

The roof ribs of Ashwood after repairs and sanding. PWM

Roof ribs, each with its "bow" measurement. You may 
notice an end or two that have not been sanded. These were left
as found and will be documented as such in the archival record
of the Narcissus. PWM

Ribs before receiving stain/primer.
PWM

The stained portion of some ribs. PWM

The gray primer has been applied to the ends and tops of the ribs.
The ends are exposed to the elements and will be painted the same
color as the exterior of the Narcissus, Pullman Green. The tops
will accept the nails when the roof boards are reattached. PWM

Volunteer Jim Mackell, making the "blanks" of extensions necessary

to replace those that are missing on the Narcissus. DGC

You can see how one extends from the top of the arch to the right.
There is also one that extends from the top left of the arch.
Similar to each arch. Each extension has a series of complicated cuts.
One cut that allows the back top edge to fit behind the large letterboard.
One cut that allows us to meet and accept the extension next to it
 One cut to accept the vertical sheathing that fits between the
arch and the extension (see above as darker boards that
become shorter as they approach the top of the arch). One cut to
accept and blend into the top of the arch. PWM

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers sanding roof
boards. Vintage poplar will be used to make the tongue-and-groove
roof boards to replace any missing or unusable roof boards. See below
PWM

Volunteers Jim Mackell and Dick Avy are "grooving" the 

vintage poplar for tongue-and-groove roof boards. DGC

The Narcissus has about half of the original interlocking tiles in place
down the center of the passenger compartment. There are also
many of the original tiles in the smoking compartment.
Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers are vacuuming
the floor before applying layers of materials to the tile to protect it
from foot traffic. PWM

A sheet of plexiglass is in place so that the
tile can be seen. PWM

The Narcissus tile has a neat history. See below PWM

The tile was patented in 1894 by Frank Furness.
Research is done by Donald Curry

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers with the Narcissus
project table at Seashore Trolley Museum's Members' Day event. PWM

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers enjoy a ride
on the 1907 Twin City Rapid Transit No. 1267. PWM

From the Twin City Rapid Transit, Thornton Academy Residential Life
student volunteers will transfer to the 1914 Cleveland Railway No. 1227.
PWM

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers enjoy a ride on
the 1914 Cleveland Railway No. 1227. PWM

Seashore Trolley Museum volunteer operator John Middleton is
91 years old, and is explaining to two of the Thornton Academy
Residential Life student volunteers, and he was an aerospace engineer

 (I like to say John is a rocket scientist :) and designed testing
equipment that landed safely on the surface of the moon! This
life lesson teaches that volunteers at the Trolley Museum come
with a wide variety of professional skills. PWM

Volunteer John Middleton operating the 1901 Connecticut Company

open car No. 303 - Thornton Academy Residential Life student

volunteers enjoy a ride to the Pumpkin Patch. PWM

Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers enjoy a
ride on the 1901 Connecticut Company open car No. 303. PWM

Ad in Classic Trains Magazine 8-2016
PWM

Ad in Trains Magazine 8-2016
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

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 captivate, fascinate, and then generate 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 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

Narcissus Restoration Update - August 2016

The Narcissus with all of its roof boards removed. Each of the ash

roof ribs will be inspected, and if necessary, removed, repaired,

and/or replaced. Most are in very good shape. All original steel

screws will be replaced with stainless steel screws. The roof

boards were in varying degrees of condition. Some were missing,

some had water damage, some had critter damage, some needed

repairs, and then returned to service. August 15, 2016, PWM

Critters gnawed their way through the roof boards, entered the

comfy confines of the Narcissus, and set up a multi-family

housing complex. August 14, 2016. PWM

Many of the original steel nails from 1912 had lost their ability to

properly hold the roof boards securely to the roof ribs, so that at

some point in years past, galvanized nails were nailed next to every

original nail on every roof board. This double-nailing made it twice

as difficult to remove the roof boards without further damaging

the original poplar tongue-and-groove boards.

August 13, 2016. PWM

The 1912 Narcissus on August 15, 2016. Looking rather skeletal, 

like, following the removal of all its roof boards. It looked much

different a week earlier, as it had many restored components put in

place for the annual fundraising event weekend to benefit the project.

The 2016 Teddy Roosevelt event was a great success. All the guests

who attended throughout the three days were treated to a glimpse

of just how truly beautiful the Narcissus will be when its restoration

is complete. August 15, 2016. PWM

On the right side of the Narcissus (with the number 2 end on the

left,  affectionately called the "Teddy End," Theodore Roosevelt

was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, with the

thirteen ornate leaded-stained glass clerestory windows, temporarily

in place for the 2016 Teddy Roosevelt Days event weekend.

To the right, you can see the large leaded stained glass

"eyebrow" window in place in the smoking compartment.

August 4, 2016. PWM

The left side of the 1912 Narcissus (number 1 end on the left) on

the evening of August 4, 2016. PWM

Donald Curry, Lead Restoration Technician on the Narcissus

restoration, during the early stages of assembling the various

components necessary to enclose the right side of the smoking

compartment on the number 1 end. August 1, 2016.  PWM

Interior of the right side of the smoking compartment at the number

1 end. Restored original mahogany sash passenger windows with

their polished original brass hardware. Original Santo Domingo

mahogany pieces that were restored 15 to 20 years ago were removed

from storage for use to enclose the window openings. August 4, 2016.

PWM

Right side smoking compartment with restored windows and sash

in place on August 4, for the Narcissus fundraising event weekend

Teddy Roosevelt Days 2016. From this vantage point, you can see

through the smoking compartment to view the large leaded stained

glass "eyebrow" on the left side and the pair of restored leaded

stained glass windows in the clerestory. On the exterior, you can

see the top of the eyebrow is held in place with a restored

exterior poplar frame and by the faceboard between the

restored mahogany passenger window sash. Also, the vertical

tongue-and-groove sheathing is in place surrounding the double

sash/eyebrow assembly. August 4, 2016. PWM

The right side of the Narcissus smoking compartment was prepared

specifically for guest photo opportunities during the benefit event. In
the background of this image is the number 1 end vestibule. One can 
see the original bulkhead window sash with brass hinges (left and right),

the center train door, the large window sash on either side of the train

door, and the lower panels below the sash. These are all original

mahogany components of the Narcissus. August 5, 2016.

Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson 

Original poplar tongue-and-groove vertical sheathing for the number

1 end dasher, repaired, primed, and ready for finish coats of Pullman

Green. August 8, 2016. PWM

Original poplar tongue-and-groove vertical sheathing for the number

1 end with finish coats of Pullman Green. August 12, 2016. PWM

A few of the original poplar exterior arch halves were repaired,

primed, joined together, and ready for finish coats of Pullman

Green. Each of these is over one of the large leaded stained glass

"eyebrows" above the double sash

passenger windows. August 13, 2016. PWM

A few of the original poplar exterior arch halves after their finish

coats of Pullman Green. Each of these is over one of the large

leaded stained glass "eyebrows," above the double-sash passenger

windows. August 19, 2016. 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

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 captivate, fascinate, then generate 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 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

The 2016 Narcissus Benefit Event Weekend, Teddy Roosevelt Days, a Success :)

Dan and Rose Vallee are together once again in the Narcissus.

Married for 49 years, Dan first introduced Rose to his parents when

the elder Vallees were living in the Narcissus in Sabattus,

Maine. Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

This photo opportunity was prepared specifically for photo opportunities inside the right side of the

smoking compartment during the three-day event to benefit the Narcissus project. The restored original passenger windows in Santo Domingo mahogany sash, with restored original leaded stained glass eyebrow

above, also in an original mahogany sash. All the mahogany components seen here encasing the windows and the bulkhead frame (on the far left unfinished), including the brass hardware, which is original to the Narcissus. Notice the framed pictures of the 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, in the White House next to a 1914 image of the Narcissus in Gray :) 

The 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban, Narcissus, the night

before the Teddy Roosevelt Days benefit event. Guests will be

invited to investigate the beauty that we volunteers, or staff,

have at the Seashore Trolley Museum. A privilege to

experience daily.  All 26 restored stained glass clerestory windows

 (13 on each side) were in place for the event. PWM

The right side, at the number 1 end, smoking compartment

of the Narcissus. The large leaded stained glass "eyebrow,"

on high, above the double-sash passenger windows. Also in

place for event guests viewing, for the three-day benefit

event, is the vertical sheathing on each side working

its way into the vertices of the restored exterior poplar

arch halves. PWM 

Lead Restoration Technician, Donald Curry, leaning against a

window in the Narcissus, as Narcissus project manager, Phil

Morse chats with event guests inside the Seashore Trolley

Museum's Town House Restoration Shop. PWM

Captured, capturing, a special moment. The right side of the

Narcissus' smoking compartment was prepared specifically for

guest photo opportunities during the benefit event. In the

background is the number 1 end vestibule. One can see the

original bulkhead window sash with brass hinges (left and right),

the center train door, a large window sash on either side of the

train door, and lower panels below the sash. All original mahogany!

Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

Did I mention how popular this photo opportunity was?

Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

Left to Right - Narcissus project manager, Phil Morse, author,

Michael Canfield, Dan Vallee, and Seashore Trolley Museum

Library Committee member, Karen Dooks.

Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

Presque Isle Historical Society's display of the beautiful artifacts of

Theodore Roosevelt's. In the case on the left is TR's birch-bark

moose call he used while hunting in Maine in 1878 & 1879 with

Maine guides, William Sewall and Wilmot Dow. The mirror on the

wall in the back is the original buffalo horn mirror from TR's Elkhorn

Ranch in North Dakota. Sewall and Dow were hired as ranch hands

for the ranch in the mid-1880s. The Maine guides cut down trees

and built the Elkhorn Ranch, and lived in the ranch house with

their wives (and had children) and with TR. In the case on the right

is TR's single-action Colt 40-caliber long-barreled revolver used

 in the Dakotas. PWM

How cool is this shot? The reflection in Theodore Roosevelt's

Elkhorn Ranch mirror is one of the three men who used this very

mirror daily, for three years in North Dakota in the mid-1880s!

(L-R)  Theodore Roosevelt, Wilmot Dow, and William Sewall.

The image is from February 1879 in Maine.

TRC 520.12.015 PWM

Presque Isle Historical Society's Kimberly Smith introduces the

Roosevelt items to the guests assembled during the Friday

reception of Teddy Roosevelt Days event to benefit the Narcissus.

Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

Author Michael Canfield discussed many intriguing points

within his new book about TR, "Theodore Roosevelt in the

Field". I personally found the book very engaging and

enlightening, and strongly recommend it. PWM

Dan Vallee gave an extremely entertaining explanation of what

his life was like as he grew up living in the Narcissus in the 1940s,

50s, and 60s. Stories of living conditions, family members, and

life in general as told through a variety of personal stories.

Well Done, Dan! Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

Teddy Root Beer

Raffle prizes included a pine wood-barreled pen. The pine is

from a Narcissus clerestory, nailing roof rib. Also, an ash

wood-barreled pen was raffled off as well. PWM

An image that shows what the future has in store for us.

After seeing so many of the stained glass windows in place

in the Narcissus over the three-day event, my sense is

that the Narcissus is going to be even more beautiful when fully

restored. We dreamed it might be. Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

360-degree view of the reception set up just before guests arrive. PWM

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

We continue restoration work on the 191, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

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 captivate, fascinate, then generate 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 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