Chessie the Railroad Kitten

As the 20th century progressed, the automobile made an increasing impact on the ridership of American railroads.  More Americans turned to the highways rather than the railways.  Marketing departments tried various methods to entice the people back on the passenger trains.  
One tactic was to create mascots which would advance the prospect of speed, comfort and reliability.  Many railroads created soon to become famous celebrities like Phoebe Snow on the Lackawanna RR, Chico on the Santa Fe, and Dashing Dan on the Long Island RR.
One railroad, the Chesapeake and Ohio RR presented a kitten as a marketing tool.  The Slogan “Sleep Like a Kitten” was the mantra.  Much energy was focused on the idea that comfort was paramount on the C&O passenger trains.
Check out the video below for more details on Chessie and how her presence affected the railroad over the years.

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