News Release
CVSR/Fred Stuckmann
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Contact: Pamela Barnes, 440-241-5857
Contact: Lynee Bixler, 234-759-0097
BRECKSVILLE, Ohio - Beginning today, March 3, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) is suspending its modified train operations and spring activities in the park. Ongoing geotechnical soil monitoring in recent weeks identified increasing erosion along the 26-mile scenic and educational railway in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The tracks, originally built in 1880 for the Valley Railway, are used for scenic and educational rides through Cuyahoga Valley and do not operate for commercial train service.
During routine monitoring of the tracks in October 2022, engineers found instability at a site four miles south of the Fitzwater Maintenance Yard and determined the safest option was to suspend train operations beyond that point while further testing and analysis was completed. Since October, CVSR has offered modified programming operating on a limited section of track while additional assessments were underway.
“We are going to do everything we can to allow the train to return to normal operations as soon as possible. We ask for continued patience while we complete construction projects to stabilize the tracks near the river. In the meantime, we appreciate CVSR’s flexibility in adjusting operations," said Cuyahoga Valley National Park Superintendent Lisa Petit.
With the aid of a recently installed advanced stability monitoring system, the NPS had hoped that regular train service could safely resume starting March 3. However, data associated with the monitoring system led to the decision to forgo all use of the tracks until repairs are made.
“The CVSR team is fully committed to keeping the train running. Our staff and volunteers have successfully overcome numerous obstacles over the past few years. I continue to be amazed at their resourcefulness. I am hopeful that we have a solution soon,” said Joe Mazur, CVSR President and CEO.
While the NPS and CVSR seek action to keep the train running, safety remains the number one priority. The NPS and CVSR are currently exploring various options to safely restart train operations by summer. Suspended CVSR programming includes the Cleveland Dinner & Events Train and the National Park Scenic Excursion. All ticket purchases will be automatically refunded within 5-7 business days to the original form of payment.
The National Park Service and CVSR, a non-profit volunteer supported park partner, work together to manage, and safeguard the historic locomotive fleet and tracks. The NPS owns and preserves the 26 miles of tracks, while CVSR owns and maintains the locomotive and passenger fleet.
CVNP encompasses over 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural resources in one setting. For more information, visit us at www.nps.gov/cuva on Facebook ,Twitter or Instagram, or call 440-717-3890.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) is a private sector, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer supported organization operating in partnership with Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) and is dedicated to the preservation of passenger rail transportation in Cuyahoga Valley and the historic Ohio & Erie Canalway. CVSR has been providing excursion rail service for 50 years. For more information about the railroad, visit www.cvsr.org.
-NPS-
Last updated: March 6, 2023