Car 1203 was built for the Cleveland Railway Co. It has a low step height from the street for easier boarding. In 1920 it was upgraded for use on the Shaker Rapid. Among its improvements was electric heat which replaced a coal stove. 1203 has had its notable moments.
Cleveland Interurban Railroad 1203 was one of the first three cars leased from the Cleveland Railway Company and was the first car to run in revenue operation on the Moreland (Van Aken) line in 1920. In 1930, after 16 years of combined service the car was returned to the CRC where it was placed in storage. A short time later the Northern Ohio Traction & Light Company went out of business, leaving riders along its route to the south of the city stranded. On April 1, 1932 the CRC placed car 1203 back in service along with 1200, 1204 and 1206 for trial run over a former Northern Ohio Traction Miles-E.93rd-Bedford route to test out the feasibility of running service to Bedford. Unfortunately, riders were few and the trial was discontinued after only nine days. The cars were returned to the dead storage line once again. 1203 was refurbished and returned to service on the Shaker in 1940 as number 3 and ran in regular service until replacement by PCC cars. Its final assignment on the line came in the mid-1960’s when it was moved to the end of the Van Aken line and used as a trash car.
NORM acquired the car in 1968 and did a cosmetic restoration to its 1930 sunburst paint scheme. It ran along with two other 1200s on fan trips on the Shaker and Cleveland rapids from 1969 to 1971. The car was moved to Trolleyville in 1974 and finally to our museum campus in 1979.
| Builder | Kuhlman Car Company |
| Type | Electric Street Car |
| Description | Single End Double Truck Arch Roof Low Floor Center Door |
| Year Built | 1913 |
| Retired | 1957 |
| Acquired | 1968 |
| Seats | 59 |
| Length | 51′ 0″ |
| Width | 8′ 5″ |
| Height | 11′ 8″ |
| Weight | 50,000 |
| Trucks | Brill 51E1 |
| Motors | |
| Control | WH HL-15E1 |
| Brakes | WAB |
| Compressor | Nat BB2 |