2001 Lionel Train Tender

Description

Chessie, the adorable sleeping kitten whose silhouette appears on the C&O Railway emblem, was the star of the company’s calendars and advertising for more than 40 years. But the story of Chessie is less clear. According to one charming legend, an engineer on the line once found a stray kitten asleep in his cab. The little kitten, given the nickname of Chessie, slept the entire trip and eventually became the railway’s mascot. Another story explains that in 1933, a company executive came across an image of a kitten sleeping on a pillow. He suggested using the phrase “Sleep Like a Kitten” to promote the railroad’s new cooling system, called “air-conditioning”. Regardless of her true origin, one little gray kitten played a memorable role in railway history. This ornament is hard to find!
Made of die-cast metal.

The wheels turn.

This Hallmark Keepsake Ornament complements the Chessie Steam Special Locomotive in the 2001 Lionel Train Collector’s series.

Size: 3 1/2″ L

Artist: N/A