Lake Shore Electric Railway 171

One of the first lines to call itself an interurban, the Lake Shore Electric operated between Cleveland and Toledo, OH. Lake Shore Electric operated through cars between Cleveland and Detroit, MI using the Detroit Monroe & Toledo Short Line (later, Eastern Michigan – Toledo Railroad) beyond Toledo. No. 171 is one of 12 “Big Steel” cars built by Jewett Car Company in 1918 shortly before Jewett’s demise in 1919. At 61 feet long, these Jewett cars were among the longest interurban coaches. In 1932, the Lake Shore’s traffic was hurt by the abandonment of its connection to Detroit. No. 171 turned over in a spectacular accident, but was repaired and returned to service only a few months before Lake Shore Electric ended passenger service in May 1938. The Lake Shore Electric was Cleveland’s last interurban railway. Lake Shore’s Jewett cars were the system’s flagship cars. No. 171 is a prime example of large steel interurbans purchased by larger systems to replace or supplement early 1900s wood cars. Later, smaller fast and nimble streamlined, lightweight cars with low operating costs like Seashore’s CRANDIC No. 118, Lehigh Valley Transit No. 1030 and Philadelphia & Western No. 208 would operate on the few systems purchasing new cars. After 1938, many Lake Shore Electric cars found uses as residences and sheds throughout northern Ohio. No. 171 became a diner at Monroeville, OH. Lake Shore Electric has scrapped No. 171’s wheels, brake, motor and control equipment as well as most interior fittings. One of the longest interurban cars in our collection fulfilled a dream of Seashore founder and long-time president Ted Santarelli. Ted had traveled in Ohio during the 1930s, and found this system connecting Toledo and Cleveland inspiring. In 1987, the body of number 171 turned up at the estate sale of the diner’s owner, and Ted eagerly sponsored its acquisition by Seashore. Some preliminary work was done to stabilize the car, but Ted passed away before he could initiate a full restoration program. Fundraising for the car in Ted Santarelli’s memory amounts to nearly $40,000. A side note - The name Lake Shore Electric was the inspiration for the name Sea Shore Electric Railway, the first name adopted by our organization.