Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
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Headquarters | 1664 Main Street/Route 303, Peninsula, Summit County, Ohio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Cuyahoga Valley National Park from Independence to Akron OH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dates of operation | 1975–Present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Predecessor | Chessie System | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Length | 26 miles (42 km) leased from National Park Service[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Website | http://www.cvsr.org/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is a Class III railroad [2] operating diesel-electric and steam-powered[3] excursion trips through Peninsula, Ohio in the Cuyahoga Valley, primarily through the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park.[4]
History
Based on a track bed and rails originally laid down around 1880, right-of-way ownership transitioned over the years from Valley Railway to Cleveland Terminal & Valley Railroad (CT&V), to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, to the Chessie System. Currently, the National Park Service own the rails and right-of-way within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. CVSR co-operates with Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway (WLE) on operation of the railroad track south of CUVA to Canton. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad operates their excursion trains in co-operation with both the NPS & WLE.[5][6]
The history of trains in the Cuyahoga Valley stretches back more than 100 years. In 1880, the Valley Railway began operations, transporting coal to Cleveland, Akron, and Canton from the Tuscarawas River Valley and providing passenger service along the way. After a decade of operation, the Valley Railway became part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In the 20th century, competition from automobiles, trucks, and buses caused the decline of both freight and passenger service. Interest in the line was renewed in 1972 as a scenic excursion route and the Cuyahoga Valley Preservation and Scenic Railway Association was born.
Accidents
The CVSR has had a few accidents in recent history including most recently hitting a car at a crossing. A person died in 2004 after being hit by train 1822 during a Polar Express excursion.[7][8]
On June 18, 2009, an automobile collided with a weekday train at an ungated crossing with no warning lights. The driver of the car was not expecting the train as he thought it only ran at weekends.[9]
On July 13, 2012, a southbound CVSR train struck an eastbound car at the Portage St. crossing in northern Stark County. The elderly female driver was killed.
On November 1, 2015 a pedestrian was killed by the train in a collision in Peninsula, OH.[10]
Today
Originally known as the Cuyahoga Valley Line, the scenic railroad now operates as Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR).
Future
Several Ohio and Erie Canal-oriented organizations in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and Summit County are pushing for extension of CVSR operations farther North along the Canal corridor into Cleveland. Some other organizations have been researching the feasibility of commuter rail operations between Akron-Canton and Cleveland.
From the current CVSR Rockside station, (other railroads') existing tracks follow the West Bank of the Cuyahoga River to along: Valley Belt Road, Bradley Road, Jennings Road, Steelyard Drive, Holmden Avenue, Quigley Road; Crossing over the Cuyahoga River on the railroad draw bridge near Quigley and West 3rd., then follow the east bank of the Cuyahoga River to Canal Road near Commercial Road, ending up along Canal Road between Ontario Avenue and West 2nd. Street.
One of the big issues to be resolved would be scheduling and controlling access since the tracks through Cleveland and Newburgh Heights are used by freight train traffic, and much of the route above is single track with limited sidings.
Schedule
CVSR's schedule varies with seasonal demands. Currently, CVSR operates on Saturdays in January–February, Saturdays and Sundays in March–April, Fridays-Sundays in May and Tuesdays-Sundays in June through October. In November, the scenic train runs on weekends only due to The Polar Express. One train makes daily round-trips from Independence to Akron, which takes about 3 hours (1½ hours one-way).
Operations
CVSR offers a variety of trips throughout the year.
National Park Scenic[11]
National Park Scenic excursions allow passengers to ride throughout the entire route as well as get on and off at various stations along the way.
Steam in the Valley
Typically each year CVSR hosts visiting steam-powered equipment. Examples of such equipment include Ohio Central No. 1293, Viscose No. 6, and Nickel Plate Road No. 765.[12]
The Polar Express
Around mid-November and continuing through mid-December, the CVSR provides special Polar Express themed excursions both during the day as matinees and in the evenings. The excursions are only offered out of Rockside and Akron Northside stations. Children (and even adults) are encouraged to ride in their pajamas. Elves greet passengers at the door and help them find their seats. While underway, the elves read the story of the Polar Express, serve hot chocolate and cookies, play games, and sing Christmas songs. Both trains eventually end up at the "North Pole". On the return trip, each child gets a surprise visit from a very important jolly fellow.
Bike Aboard
For $5 a bicyclist may ride the train one way from any one of CVSR's 9 stations. The bike is loaded onto a re-purposed baggage car and bikers are seated in a car directly following it. Similar programs are in place for hikers, runners and passengers with kayaks for a slightly different price. The Bike Aboard program is only offered from May through October.[13]
Train to Canton
In summer 2003, CVSR began service between Akron and Canton. CVSR provided service between Akron Northside Station and Canton Lincoln Highway Station until 2013.[14] Canton service ended due to lack of ridership and poor track conditions.
Stations
Stations [15] |
Address [16][17] |
Elevation[A] | Nearby[B] Points of Interest | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rockside | 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio 44131 | 598 feet (182 m) | GCRTA Routes 51C (Rockside Rd) and 77F (Brecksville Rd) bus connection; Eleven Mile Lock 39; Thornburg Station (food) | |
Canal Exploration Center | Canal Road & Hillside Road, Valley View, Ohio 44125 | 611 feet (186 m) | Canal Visitor Center, Twelve Mile Lock 38 | |
Brecksville | 13512 Station Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141 | 635 feet (194 m) | Station Road Bridge; Pinery Dam & Feeder, and Lock 36; Whiskey Lock 35 | |
Boston Mill | 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264 | 663 feet (202 m) | Boston Store Visitor Center, Boston Lock 32, Lonesome Lock 31, Wallace Lock 33, Boston Mills Ski Resort, food | |
Peninsula Depot | 1630 West Mill Street, Peninsula, Ohio 44264 | 693 feet (211 m) | Peninsula Visitor Center, Peninsula Lock 29, Peninsula Feeder Lock 30, Deep Lock 28 and Quarry, food | |
Indigo Lake | Riverview Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264 [18] | 739 feet (225 m) | Hunt Farm Visitor Center, Beaver Marsh, Pancake Lock 26, Johnny Cake Lock 27 | |
Howe Meadow stop[19] | 4040 Riverview Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264 | 741 feet (226 m) | Hunt Farm Visitor Center, Everett Road Covered Bridge | |
Botzum | 2912 Riverview Road, Akron, Ohio 44313 | 754 feet (230 m) | Niles Lock 24, Mudcatcher Lock 25 (Station located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) | |
Big Bend | 1337 Merriman Road, Akron, Ohio 44313 | 782 feet (238 m)[20] | ||
Akron Northside | 27 Ridge Street, Akron, Ohio 44308 | 885 feet (270 m) | Mustill Store |
Equipment
Locomotives
Manufacturer |
Model |
Description |
---|---|---|
ALCO American Locomotive Company | Alco C420 | Road/Switcher |
ALCO American Locomotive Company | ALCO RS-3 | Road/Switcher |
Budd Company | RDC-1 | Rail Diesel Car |
Budd Company | RDC-9 | Rail Diesel Car |
MLW Montreal Locomotive Works | MLW C-424 | Road/Switcher |
MLW Montreal Locomotive Works | MLW FPA-4 | Passenger |
MLW Montreal Locomotive Works | RS-18 | Road/Switcher |
Cars
Number |
Name |
Type |
Heritage |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | St. Lucie Sound | Observation/bar/sleeping/lounge car | ex-Florida East Coast Railway | Acquired 1995. Features etched glass. Used in charter trains. |
89 | Lonestar | Dining car | Rebuilt by CVSR | Rebuilt in 1993 from circus train car. Originally built for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and named "Shenango". |
105 | ADA Car | Demotorized Budd Rail Diesel Car RDC-3 combine | Acquired 2008 and used for handicapped accessibility. | |
110-114 | Lightweight coaches | ex-Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway, exx-New Jersey Transit Rail Operations, exxx-Penn Central Transportation Company, née-Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway | Built 1939 Budd Company. Acquired 1994. Streamlined. Car 110 is the only car in service, but NOT in regular service. As of 05/28/2014 | |
161-169 | Coaches | ex-MARC Train | Leased from METRO Regional Transit Authority. | |
688 | Head end power car | ex-Amtrak | Rebuilt by Amtrak from a 1951 troop kitchen. Has two Detroit Diesel 271 engines and two 375-KW generators. | |
727 | Fort Mitchell | Combine car | ex-Central of Georgia Railway | Acquired 1995. Used for handicapped accessibility. |
1105 | Silver Bronco | Dome car | This car was originally built for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad named as the Silver Bronco for use on the California Zephyr. The car later saw service on the Rio Grande Zephyr until 1983. | Acquired 2011 and was originally named as the Emerson until 2015. |
2914 | Coach | ex-New York Central Railroad | Built 1948 by Budd Company. NOT in regular service | |
3450 | Baggage car | ex-Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway | Built 1940s Budd Company. As of 05/28/2014 IS used in regular "Bike-A-Board" (copyright cvsr 2014), service. | |
6217 | Coach | ex-Seaboard Coast Line Railroad | Built 1947 by Budd Company. Acquired 1996. NOT used in regular service as of 05/28/2014 | |
8700 | Dining car | ex-Amtrak, née-Southern Pacific Transportation Company | Built 1950. Used on the Auto Train. Acquired 2002. | |
9084 | Baggage car | ex-Grand Trunk Western Railroad | Built by American Car and Foundry Company. Acquired 1992. As of 05/28/2014 is NOT used for the "Bike-A-Board" service. | |
5 Boxcars | ||||
2 Flatcars | ||||
Zephyr | four historic Zephyr railcars | four-car Zephyr train set consists of two Vista Dome cars, a sleeper car and a baggage car[21] |
Management[23]
- Joe Mazur, President/CEO
- Bobby Dinkins, Vice President of Development and Marketing
- Trevor Jones, Director of Finance
- Jeremy Schroeder, Director of Operations
- Eleanor Conner, Director of Events
See also
- ABC Railway
- ALCO RSD-5
- Heritage railway
- Cleveland railroad history
- List of crossings of the Cuyahoga River
- List of heritage railroads in the United States
- List of Ohio railroads
- List of Ohio train stations
- Ohio and Erie Canal
Notes
^ A: Elevation or Altitude approximations obtained through Wiki ToolServer GeoHack link to United States Geological Survey National Elevation Dataset:
Where "-Longitude" is the degrees in decimal with the "W" suffix replaced by a "-" prefix
"Latitude" is the degrees in decimal without the "N" suffix.
^ B: "Nearby" means within a mile walk or so, one-way.
References
- ^ https://s6d5h5k2.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-2021-CVSR-Strategic-Plan.pdf
- ^ "Roster of Equipment". Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09.
- ^ "Steam Returns to the Cuyahoga Valley". Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14.
- ^ "CVSR". Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
- ^ "Recreation - CVSR". Cuyahoga Valley National Park, National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. Archived from the original on 2008-06-21.
- ^ "Partnerships - CVSR". Cuyahoga Valley National Park, National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "Railroad Safety Statistics 2004 Annual Report" (PDF). Federal Railroad Administration, United States Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-04-22. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- ^ "Railroad Safety Statistics 2005 Annual Report" (PDF). Federal Railroad Administration, United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2008-07-28. [dead link]
- ^ CR Rae (June 19, 2009). "Train accident in Springfield Township". The Suburbanite. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
- ^ "Pedestrian killed by Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ https://www.cvsr.org/national-park-scenic/
- ^ https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2010/09/cuyahoga_valley.html
- ^ https://www.cvsr.org/bike-aboard/
- ^ https://www.cantonrep.com/article/20130708/NEWS/307089914
- ^ https://www.cvsr.org/stations/
- ^ "Directions". Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
- ^ "Cuyahoga Valley National Park - map" (PDF). National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-06-25.
- ^ "Domestic Names - Search". United States Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "Directions". Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Archived from the original on 2008-05-14.
- ^ "Cuyahoga Valley National Park - map". Summit County Engineer Viewer.
- ^ Hlavaty, Kaylyn (2018-09-13). "Historic railcars arrive from California as newest addition to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad". newsnet5. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
- ^ "Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad - Equipment Roster". Archived from the original on 2012-10-02. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
- ^ https://www.cvsr.org/board-staff/
General references
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Park Service.