We’ve talked about some lines that illustrate the ubiquity of electric trolleys back in the day. Here’s another example, this one located just outside of Cleveland. The North Randall Race Track, 1908, was placed where it was, out in what then was the “boonies,” to be close to the planned route of an interurban line. When that line failed to materialize, the race track found itself without good access. So, the track’s owners took what, at that time, was the logical step of building a three and one half mile long trolley line, to connect with the nearest Cleveland Railway line.

The North Randall Railway opened in 1912. It owned no cars, and was operated under contract by the Cleveland system. On race days, through cars ran from downtown Cleveland. At other times, the line operated as a shuttle service, using an elderly Cleveland city car. Unfortunately, except for the race track business, the area offered few customers, and the line began to lose money. By 1925, roads had improved enough and enough people owned automobiles that the line was no longer necessary for operation of the race track. Thus, North Randall Railway was abandoned.

The picture, Columbus Metropolitan Library, shows a sister car to the one that ordinarily ran on the North Randall shuttle.