- Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
-
Valley Scenic Railroad Locale Cuyahoga Valley National Park
from Independence,
Cuyahoga County to
Canton, Stark County,
OhioDates of operation 1972 or 1973–Present Predecessor Chessie System Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge) Length 51 miles (82 km) leased from National Park Service and via trackage rights over Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway Headquarters 1664 Main Street/Route 303, Peninsula, Summit County, Ohio Website http://www.cvsr.com/ Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is a Class III railroad [1] and steam-powered[2][3] excursion trips through Peninsula, Ohio in the Cuyahoga Valley, primarily through the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park.[4]
Contents
History
CVSR Brecksville Station, set against the scenic Route 82 bridge over the Cuyahoga River Valley, is one of several stations modeled after historic train stations within Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
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
CVSR engine 365 sits at the Canton Lincoln Highway Station.
Flood damage to CVSR tracks north of Bath Road.
Cuyahoga River flooding CVSR tracks north of Vaughn Road.
CVSR staff load and transport bikes with a Bike and Hike ticket.The CVSR has had a few accidents in recent history including most recently hitting a car at a crossing. One person died after being hit by the train 1822 during a Polar Express excursion.[7][8]
On June 18, 2009 a car 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. Needless to say, this person should have paid more attention.[9]
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 (in 2008), CVSR operates on weekends in January through May and September, and Wednesday through Sunday in June through August and October. One train makes (3) daily round-trips from Independence to Akron, which takes about 3 hours (1½ hours one-way). During Summer (June, July, August); CVSR operates a second connecting train which makes (2) daily round-trips from Canton to Akron, which also takes about 3 hours (1½ hours one-way).
Scenic excursions
CVSR offers scenic trips along the path of the Valley Railway.
Train to Canton
In summer 2003, CVSR began service between Akron and Canton. CVSR provides service between Akron Northside Station and Canton Lincoln Highway Station. Passengers will have approximately 4½ hours to visit some of the city's unique attractions, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton Classic Car Museum, McKinley Museum and National Memorial.
Flooding
Unfortunately, flooding caused by heavy rains in July 2003 damaged the tracks throughout the park and forced the cancellation of these runs for the remainder of the 2003.
Stations
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Legend
Rockside Station Canal Visitor Center Station 
State Route 82 Brecksville Station 
Chippewa Creek 
Cuyahoga River 
Boston Mills Historic District Interstate 271 Ohio Turnpike Cuyahoga River 
Boston Run Peninsula 
State Route 303 Cuyahoga River Furnace Run Indigo Lake Yellow Creek Botzum Sand Run Akron, Ohio State Route 261 State Route 8 State Route 18 Interstate 76 State Route 764 U.S. Route 224 State Route 241 State Route 619 U.S. Route 62 State Route 687 Canton Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's current "flag stop" passenger stations:
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad - Stations Coordinates Elevation
A[›]Name Address
[10][11]NearbyB[›] Points of Interest 41°23′34″N 81°37′52″W / 41.39278°N 81.63111°W 598 feet (182 m) Rockside Station 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio 44131 GCRTA Routes 35 and 77F bus connection; Eleven Mile Lock 39; Thornburg Station (food) 41°22′24″N 81°36′59″W / 41.37333°N 81.61639°W 611 feet (186 m) Canal Visitor Center Canal Road & Hillside Road, Valley View, Ohio 44125 Canal Visitor Center, Twelve Mile Lock 38 41°19′9″N 81°35′17″W / 41.31917°N 81.58806°W 635 feet (194 m) Brecksville Station 13512 Station Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141 Station Road Bridge; Pinery Dam & Feeder, and Lock 36; Whiskey Lock 35 41°15′47″N 81°33′40″W / 41.26306°N 81.56111°W 663 feet (202 m) Boston Mill Station 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264 Boston Store Visitor Center, Boston Lock 32, Lonesome Lock 31, Wallace Lock 33, Boston Mills Ski Resort, food 41°14′32″N 81°32′57″W / 41.24222°N 81.54917°WCoordinates: 41°14′32″N 81°32′57″W / 41.24222°N 81.54917°W 693 feet (211 m) Peninsula Depot 1630 West Mill Street, Peninsula, Ohio 44264 Peninsula Visitor Center, Peninsula Lock 29, Peninsula Feeder Lock 30, Deep Lock 28 and Quarry, food 41°11′39″N 81°34′45″W / 41.19417°N 81.57917°W 739 feet (225 m) Indigo Lake Riverview Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264 [12] Hunt Farm Visitor Center, Beaver Marsh, Pancake Lock 26, Johnny Cake Lock 27 41°11′21″N 81°34′55″W / 41.18917°N 81.58194°W 741 feet (226 m) Howe Meadow 4040 Riverview Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264 Hunt Farm Visitor Center, Everett Road Covered Bridge 41°9′34″N 81°34′31″W / 41.15944°N 81.57528°W 754 feet (230 m) Botzum (Indian Mound) Station 2912 Riverview Road, Akron, Ohio 44313 Niles Lock 24, Mudcatcher Lock 25 41°5′22″N 81°30′54″W / 41.08944°N 81.515°W 885 feet (270 m) Akron Northside Station 27 Ridge Street, Akron, Ohio 44308 Mustill Store, Quaker Square, National Inventors Hall of Fame a.k.a. Inventure Place 40°48′5″N 81°23′16″W / 40.80139°N 81.38778°W 1,029 feet (314 m) Canton Lincoln Highway Station 1315 Tuscarawas Street West, Canton, Ohio 44702 McKinley Memorial Mausoleum, Canton Museum of Art, First Ladies National Historic Site (former)
CUVA/WLE
branch and yardOverview Type Scenic Passenger Railway System Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Locale Independence and Valley View, Cuyahoga County;
Akron and Peninsula,
Summit County; Canton,
Stark County, OhioTermini Rockside Station, Independence, Cuyahoga County and
Canton Lincoln Highway Station, Canton, Stark County, Ohio
Akron Northside Station,
Summit County, OhioStations 10 Services 2 Operation Opened 1972 or 1973 Owner Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Operator(s) Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Character Class III railroad Technical Line length 51 miles (82 km) Track length 51 miles (82 km) No. of tracks 1 to 3 Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Standard gauge Highest elevation 571 feet (174 m) Equipment
Locomotives
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad - Locomotives Manufacturer Model Description ALCO American Locomotive Company Alco C420 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 MLW Montreal Locomotive Works MLW FPA-4 MLW Montreal Locomotive Works RS-18 Road/Switcher Cars
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad - 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. 110-114 Lightweight coaches ex-Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway, exx-New Jersey Transit Rail Operations, exxx-Penn Central Transportation Company, nee-Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Built 1939 Budd Company. Acquired 1994. Streamlined. 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. 2914 Coach ex-New York Central Railroad Built 1948 by Budd Company. 3450 Baggage car 6217 Coach ex-Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Built 1947 by Budd Company. Acquired 1996. 8700 Dining car ex-Amtrak, nee-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. Used for passengers' bicycles. 5 Boxcars 2 Flatcars Management
- C. Arnout De La Porte, Chairman
- Steven W. Wait, President/CEO
- Andrew R. Tyson, Treasurer
- Leslie Hoffman, Financial Director
- Larry Blanchard, Director of Operations[14]
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
- ^ "Roster of Equipment". Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. http://www.cvsr.com/equipment.php.
- ^ "Steam Returns to the Cuyahoga Valley". Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. http://www.cvsr.com/pages.php?alias=steam.
- ^ "OHCR 1293 - Steam Locomotive". Steam Division, Ohio Central Railroad System. http://www.ocsteam.com/1293/index.html.
- ^ "CVSR". Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. http://CVSR.Com/.
- ^ "Recreation - CVSR". Cuyahoga Valley National Park, National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. http://www.nps.gov/archive/cuva/planavisit/todo/recreation/cvsr.htm.
- ^ "Partnerships - CVSR". Cuyahoga Valley National Park, National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. http://www.nps.gov/partnerships/cuyahoga_valley_scenic_railroad.htm.
- ^ "Railroad Safety Statistics 2004 Annual Report" (PDF). Federal Railroad Administration, United States Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on 2008-04-22. http://web.archive.org/web/20080422002918/http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/Objects/bull2004-book.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- ^ "Railroad Safety Statistics 2005 Annual Report" (PDF). Federal Railroad Administration, United States Department of Transportation. http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/Objects/bull2005-book.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-28.[dead link]
- ^ CR Rae (June 19, 2009). "Train accident in Springfield Township". The Suberbanite. http://www.thesuburbanite.com/communities/x998774530/Train-accident-in-Springfield-Township. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
- ^ "Directions". Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. http://www.cvsr.com/directions.php.
- ^ "Cuyahoga Valley National Park - map" (PDF). National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. http://www.nps.gov/carto/PDF/CUVAmap1.pdf.
- ^ "Domestic Names - Search". United States Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/.
- ^ "Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad - Equipment Roster". http://www.cvsr.com/roster.aspx.
- ^ The Pocket List of Railroad Officials. UBM Global Trade. 2010. p. D-16.
General references
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Park Service.
External links
Categories:- Heritage railroads in Ohio
- Greater Cleveland
- Transportation in Cuyahoga County, Ohio
- Transportation in Summit County, Ohio
- Visitor attractions in Cuyahoga County, Ohio
- Visitor attractions in Summit County, Ohio
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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