Santa’s New Sleigh ?
Who needs Reindeer and a Sleigh when you have the “OX” and a heavy duty tow truck? Here we see the “OX” on its way down Interstate 71 enroute to the Northern Ohio Railway Museum. Notice that Santa is poking up through the access hatch to the roof platform and he's checking his list! So are you on the good list or are you getting coal?
The boxmotor “OX” was built for a Michigan Interurban line in 1924. In 1929 it was purchased by the Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company and numbered 1078. It ran between Cleveland, Akron and Canton on that line hauling freight. In 1932 after the abandonment of the Northern Ohio, the car was acquired by the Cleveland Interurban Railroad (Shaker Rapid). It was renumbered to 78 and served as a work car on the line. Eventually it was renumbered “OX”. Despite our whimsical image, it does have a historic holiday connection. For many years the car brought Santa Claus to the annual Shaker Square holiday lighting ceremony. Shaker Square is a major stop on the Shaker Heights Rapid Transit, today the Blue and Green lines of the Cleveland RTA rail system. F.Y.I. the original image is from the March 5, 2010 move of the OX from Cleveland. She was the last car moved from the former LSE/Trolleyville Collection.
In 2011 the "OX", as well as the load on the flatcar, will play a pivotal role in a major project at the Northern Ohio Railway Museum. Stay tuned in 2011 for more detailed info.
May everyone have a safe and joyous Christmas. May all of our railway preservation efforts continue forth with safety and success in 2011.
Steve Heister
Northern Ohio Railway Museum
http://www.northernohio.railway.museum
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