Cleveland — Trolleyville Collection Up for Sale

Rail Transit Online, September 2009

An extensive collection of 29 vintage streetcars once on display at Trolleyville U.S.A. in Olmsted Township, Ohio, and now owned by the nonprofit Lake Shore Electric Railway Inc. is being offered for sale. After acquiring the cars, Lakeshore had hoped to build a museum and short operating track in Cleveland but the group was unable to raise the necessary funds.

"This economy has just killed us," Lake Shore Electric Treasurer Jim Martin told The Plain Dealer. "So we are liquidating and trying to sell the cars to appropriate museums around the country."

It's hoped a group of museums will form a consortium to buy the fleet, but bids will also be accepted for individual cars if that effort fails. An official of the Northern Ohio Railway Museum said it wants to buy six cars that once operated in Ohio but needs to raise an estimated $50,000.

Offers are due by Oct. 1 with a goal of raising about $300,000 which will be used to pay Lakeshore's debts. One car may be placed on static display in University Circle to honor Trolleyville founder Gerald E. Brookins, who acquired the vehicles.