Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is a Class III railroad operating diesel-electric, and steam-powered excursion trips through Peninsula, Ohio in the Cuyahoga Valley, primarily through the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Akron, Ohio.
Based on a trackbed and rails laid initially 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 owns the rails and right-of-way within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. CVSR co-operates with Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway (WLE) to operate the railroad track tracks south of CUVA to Canton. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad operates its excursion trains in co-operation with the NPS & WLE.
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 were born.
Accidents
The CVSR in Akron, OH 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 RS18U 1822 during a Polar Express excursion. On June 18, 2009, an automobile collided with a weekday train at an ungated crossing with no warning lights. The car driver was not expecting the train as he thought it only ran at weekends. On July 13, 2012, a southbound CVSR train struck an eastbound car vehicle at the Portage St. crossing in northern Stark County. The elderly female driver was killed. On November 1, 2015, a pedestrian was killed by FPA-4 6780 when it was still numbered 800 in a collision in Peninsula, OH.
Operations
National Park Scenic
National Park Scenic excursions allow passengers to ride throughout the entire route and get on and off at various stations along the way. Bed Bug Exterminator Akron
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.
The North Pole Adventure
These excursions are only offered out of Rockside station and Akron Northside station. Children (and even adults) are encouraged to ride in their pajamas. Elves greet passengers at the door and help them find their seats.
Check out other attractions like Dr. Robert Smith House