Cleveland Area Trolley Treasures Saved

Northern Ohio Railway Museum acquires rare Cleveland Trolleys

     The Northern Ohio Railway Museum has acquired five cars and other historic items from the auction of the dissolving Lake Shore Electric Railway Museum. One other rare Cleveland car was acquired from a museum in Maine. The Museum’s bid was part of a bid made by a consortium of electric railway museums that placed a single joint bid.

     The following cars that fill critical gaps in the Museum’s interpretive plan were acquired and will be staying in Ohio:

     # 1225 Among the best of the preserved Cleveland streetcars in existence. It was built in 1914 in Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood by the Kuhlman Car Company.

     # 2318 Built in 1918 by Kuhlman; this car is an unpowered trailer that was pulled by a regular streetcar such as 1225. At one time Cleveland had hundreds of these cars and was known for its unique motor-trailer trains. Only a few cities nationwide used this concept. This is one of only two remaining cars of this type.

     # 303 This 1923 built car was known as a smoker on the Shaker Rapid, since they had a separate smoking compartment. Their lower operating cost contributed greatly to the Rapid surviving the Great Depression. These cars ran on the Rapid until 1954 during off peak times.

     # 172 Built in 1970 by legendary car builder Pullman Standard for the Cleveland Transit System. This “Airporter” car was purchased in response to ridership increases on the Rapid due to the 1968 Airport Rapid Transit extension. This car is the largest car from the auction at 70 ft long.

     "0X" A former Northern Ohio Traction & Light freight motor. This 1924 Cleveland built car from Kuhlman, is the last operating piece from the network of interurban railways that once served Cleveland, Akron and Canton. From 1932 to 1980 it served the Shaker Rapid as a work car. It was the car that brought Santa Claus to the Shaker Square holiday lighting ceremony for many years.

     # 518021 A 1914 wooden caboose from the Norfolk and Western Railway.

     Terms of the sale require the museums to remove the cars and other items from LSE facilities by the end of the year. It can cost between three and seven thousand dollars per car to move a rail car to the museum. The Museum is still soliciting funds to pay for the moving expenses.

     We know these are trying economic times, and money is tight. However we ask that you consider a donation to keep Ohio's trolley heritage in Ohio as an investment in this state's entertainment and educational resources. Any donation, large or small, is greatly appreciated. Please send all contributions to Northern Ohio Railway Museum noting "Trolleyville cars" on the check memo line. And please, don't forget to ask your employer about matching your donation and doubling your contribution to NORM!

     The mission of the Northern Ohio Railway Museum is to collect, preserve, restore, display, and operate streetcars and other electric railway equipment for the education and enjoyment of the public. The museum owns forty-two acres of land in southern Medina County, including two miles of the former Cleveland and Southwestern interurban railroad. At this site the museum has built over a mile of track and three large buildings to house its collection of historic trolleys, interurbans, and rapid transit cars, most from the northern Ohio area.

     We thank you for your time and hope you share our passion in preserving a part of Ohio's heritage for future generations. If you have any questions, please contact us at the phone number or email address below.

Walt Stoner, President

Northern Ohio Railway Museum
P.O. Box 458
Chippewa Lake, Ohio 44215
330-472-6487
Email: wstoner001@neo.rr.com

October 23, 2009

Remember "All donations are tax deductible."