Jump to content

Featured Replies

On 9/15/2018 at 4:52 PM, KJP said:

 

If something happens, yes.

 

 

 

And based on the above information as well as our discussion in the Cleveland Random Questions and Nautica threads, a 2.25-mile city-owned right of way starting at the original mouth of the Ohio & Erie Canal would approximately comprise the following....

 

43982646184_d9c55788ce_b.jpgB&O-cityowned-row by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr

 

Although I'm pretty sure that the CSX-owned tracks just north of its movable bridge below I-490 are still used by either CSX or CROW to shuttle cars between the Cleveland Works on the East Bank and CSX's West 3rd Street Yard on the West Bank, it is possible to build a passenger-only track for CVSR across the unused track space across the movable bridge to avoid these freight moves. Furthermore, CSX left an unused track between its West 3rd Yard and Steelyard Commons for CVSR to use someday. That track still remains as of July 2017 GoogleEarth images. The rails may still be OK to use, everything below them probably need to be replaced. CSX still uses the track along the river south of West 3rd Yard and the Jennings Crossing of NS, to a wye-track called Willow. Just south of this wye is where National Park Service ownership begins. A little more than a mile south of that is where CVSR operations begin.

 

With Breen Technology center moving, this is the perfect opportunity for CVSR to make this a reality.  

  • 6 months later...
  • Replies 655
  • Views 57.4k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Most Popular Posts

  • Let's make it happen!     

  • CSX makes CVSR downtown extension infeasible By Ken Prendergast / January 19, 2025   Except for one brief instruction, property-owning freight railroad CSX Transportation didn’t participat

  • CVSR pursues Downtown Cleveland link with CSX By Ken Prendergast / June 8, 2025 On March 16, family, friends and colleagues of Thomas V. Chema received horrible news. The 78-year-old leader of civic

Posted Images

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to resume train rides this fall

 

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/09/cuyahoga-valley-scenic-railroad-to-resume-train-rides-this-fall.html

 

“VALLEY VIEW, Ohio -- Choo, choo! The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad will be chugging along again this autumn, starting on Oct. 1.

The railroad is resuming its service to park visitors, after being closed since April 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, train rides will be available for the railroad’s “Fall Flyer” program, which runs twice a day Thursdays through Sundays through the month of October. Tickets will be on sale starting Sept. 8, at cvsr.org or by calling customer service at 330-439-5708.”
 

And yes, Polar Express is on. 

 

 

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

  • 4 weeks later...
On 9/26/2020 at 3:06 PM, skiwest said:

It's a shame CVSR has not yet been extended to downtown. ?

 

It's under active consideration again, but not so much by CVSR. ? 

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

31 minutes ago, KJP said:

 

It's under active consideration again, but not so much by CVSR. ? 

 

19C76970-0408-41C4-90C1-7AADEAF3578C.gif

My hovercraft is full of eels

I figure with the towpath coming close to completion in Cuyahoga county the natural step is to work on getting the train connected downtown as well.  The track and facilities are mainly there.  It is similar processes and planning to the towpath in acquiring the right of ways and finishing up the infrastructure needs and improvements for a passenger train.   
  The new Cleveland Cliffs company is now a bigger player in this regard.  

  • 3 weeks later...
On 9/28/2020 at 11:32 AM, audidave said:


  The new Cleveland Cliffs company is now a bigger player in this regard.  

How does Cleveland Cliffs fit in with the CVSR extension?  (I haven't  looked at this thread in awhile, so just asking).

 

On 9/28/2020 at 10:08 AM, KJP said:

 

It's under active consideration again, but not so much by CVSR. ? 

Why is CVSR not so much considering it?  ? 

1 hour ago, gildone said:

How does Cleveland Cliffs fit in with the CVSR extension?  (I haven't  looked at this thread in awhile, so just asking).

 

Cleveland Cliffs now owns the railroad that was owned by ArcelorMittal. Not sure what other infrastructure they own in the flats. But as a Cleveland company they would be much more hospitable to working out a deal than a Luxembourg company. It looks like it is called the Cleveland Works Railway. 

7 hours ago, gildone said:

How does Cleveland Cliffs fit in with the CVSR extension?  (I haven't  looked at this thread in awhile, so just asking).

 

 

Not sure yet. Probably too soon to say. There are some who have a goal to turn the rail operations in the industrial Flats over to the two short lines here... The Cleveland Works Railway (aka The CROW) and OmniTrax. The Class 1s (NS & CSX) may be willing to do that as long as they get to take over the delivery of freight trains to and from the Flats. That could be the vehicle for allowing CSX to relinquish ownership of the Valley Line north of Independence.

 

7 hours ago, gildone said:

Why is CVSR not so much considering it?  ? 

 

Because CVSR is more of a Akron-centric railroad. CVSR is willing to consider it but not to initiate it. Thankfully they won't have to. I wish I could reveal more but suffice it to say the gears are starting to turn again. Hopefully this time it will lead somewhere. Stay tuned.

 

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

It seems to me that CVSR is primarily funded and directed by old school industrial company sponsorships:  Goodyear, First Energy, and Timken, I can mainly think of. 

 I can see the industrial flats companies of Cleveland wanting to be a part of this same type of sponsorship and direction. That would be Sherwin-williams and Cleveland Cliffs in my mind.  Another interested player would have to be Dan Gilbert since he owns Tower City, the Cavs, and the Casino.  I don’t doubt that there are many more interested parties in NOACA, Downtown Cleveland Partnership, city, county, port, CLE Metroparks, etc that can help grease the wheels to get this moving past Independence. 

   Who knows maybe its RTA that is wanting to put a rapid line to Independence instead. 

    

  • 1 month later...

Unfortunate but understandable

 

 

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

  • 3 weeks later...
On 11/18/2020 at 12:20 PM, KJP said:

Unfortunate but understandable

 

 

 The link is broken.  What did it say? 

 

1 hour ago, gildone said:

 The link is broken.  What did it say? 

 

 

I don't know. I shared the news just in case someone might be interested.

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

1 hour ago, KJP said:

 

I don't know. I shared the news just in case someone might be interested.

Funny, on the desktop it's just a link.  Via my phone the Twitter post is visible. 

  • 4 months later...

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad starts running again on May 1.

https://www.cvsr.org/

 

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

I had a thought on the CVSR of yet another benefit if we can get it extended to downtown Cleveland.  The Boston Mills CVSR station is right across the street from the Boston Mills ski area.  They could create a "ski train" - early morning and late evening runs on weekends to cater to any downtown skier (or person with RTA access) who doesn’t want to drive.  I'm picturing how great it would look for a group decked out with ski gear at the foot of the Terminal Tower, just waiting to head out for a nice day on the slopes.

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

  • 3 weeks later...

The Ohio & Erie Canalway Association is optimistic.  If you zoom into downtown Cleveland in the map at their website, it already shows the CVSR going all the way to downtown Cleveland.  See the red line in the legend and on the map below:

 

image.png.fc4cf95420292280fca7151129fbeb1b.png

Edited by gildone

  • 2 weeks later...

And now we have another USA Today poll to vote for. Go CVSR!

 

 

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

  • 1 month later...

I like toy trains. 
 

 

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

  • 1 month later...

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad announces ‘North Pole Adventure’ Christmas train program
 

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/08/cuyahoga-valley-scenic-railroad-announces-north-pole-adventure-christmas-train-program.html

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) has revamped its “Polar Express” train rides, launching a new Christmas-themed program for the 2021 holiday season called “North Pole Adventure.”

The family-friendly program will run from Nov. 5 through Dec. 19, offering plenty of holiday fun for those who board the trains. North Pole Adventure builds off of CVSR’s past festive train rides, the Polar Bear Unlimited and The Polar Express. This year, the program is presented by Meijer and b.a. Sweetie Candy Company.

 

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

Hey! To get to the North Pole you gotta go through downtown Cleveland first, right? 🙃

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

  • 1 month later...

Old school on the CVSR
 

 

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

2 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Old school on the CVSR
 

 

 

Those used to roar by my Lakewood address a couple dozen times per day.

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

7 minutes ago, KJP said:

 

Those used to roar by my Lakewood address a couple dozen times per day.

Way before you were born, I assume?  😀

14 hours ago, Cleburger said:

Way before you were born, I assume?  😀

 

Yup. About 10 years before I was born and about 40 years before I moved to Lakewood. 

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

20 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Old school on the CVSR
 

 


And the follow up of this beauty leaving Akron. I like how you can also see those sky observation cars a few cars back. 

 

 

 

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

It would be great if CVSR had one of these in inventory full time.   Great tourist draw.  

  • 3 weeks later...

I was running on the towpath yesterday evening and saw a self propelled single railcar in the Peninsula area. Not sure if it's what I've heard called a DMU on here, but it was a neat sight. Didn't know they had one.

Edited by STRIVE2THRIVE

9 minutes ago, STRIVE2THRIVE said:

I was running on the towpath yesterday evening and saw a self propelled single railcar in the Peninsula area. Not sure if it's what I've heard called a DMU on here, but it was a best sight. Didn't know they had one.

If CVSR gets extended to downtown, I’d love it if they just ran a single car DMU back and forth between Terminal Tower and the Steelyard. How great would it be if there was a direct connection between those two every 10 or 15 minutes?

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

In the old days, they were called Rail Diesel Cars or RDCs. Today, they're called Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs). And yes, CVSR has several of them but I don't know how many are operable.

 

Why not run the RDCs/DMUs all the way to Rockside? Or Akron....

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

  • 1 month later...

Secretaries Haaland and Buttigieg Announce Partnership to Increase Access, Enhance Visitor Experience at National Parks
 

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/secretaries-haaland-and-buttigieg-announce-partnership-increase-access-enhance

 

I’m wondering if this can be leveraged in support of extending CVSR to downtown Cleveland. What would be better for enabling access to the National park. 

 

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg today announced new initiatives that will increase access, support jobs, and enhance the transportation experience on public lands across the country. At an event in Washington, D.C., the two Secretaries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will strengthen the Departments’ coordination regarding infrastructure investments and the deployment of innovative technologies at National Park Service-managed sites. 

The MOU outlines priority initiatives – including innovative technology pilots, shared mobility integration, the electrification of major transit fleets, and additional electric vehicle charging stations – which will guide the Departments’ efforts to build world-class transportation systems that provide enhanced access for car-free trips, interpretation, education, and enjoyment opportunities to visitors who want to experience public lands. 

“As our national parks and public lands experience a surge of visitation, we must be innovative in our approaches to welcome people from every zip code, while also ensuring that we pass on these natural and cultural resources to future generations.   Through this partnership with Transportation, our teams can advance the intersection of transportation innovations and access to public spaces,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “When we talk about and plan around access, we must do so with an eye toward equity. I look forward to working closely with Secretary Buttigieg and his team to ensure that sustainability and equitable access to parks and public lands remain hallmarks of our work.” 

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

  • 3 weeks later...

Bucket list item… Polar Express with the family

tonight.  Pretty near to be able to ride a train through a National Park. 

917BA7F3-BE67-4A7A-92FF-D52B58B8AC94.jpeg

E297CB77-3673-46AC-A105-C59E1A0D02C8.png

1 hour ago, MuRrAy HiLL said:

Bucket list item… Polar Express with the family

tonight.  Pretty near to be able to ride a train through a National Park.

 

How was it? We're going Sunday.

On 11/17/2021 at 5:57 PM, Boomerang_Brian said:

Secretaries Haaland and Buttigieg Announce Partnership to Increase Access, Enhance Visitor Experience at National Parks
 

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/secretaries-haaland-and-buttigieg-announce-partnership-increase-access-enhance

 

I’m wondering if this can be leveraged in support of extending CVSR to downtown Cleveland. What would be better for enabling access to the National park. 

 

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg today announced new initiatives that will increase access, support jobs, and enhance the transportation experience on public lands across the country. At an event in Washington, D.C., the two Secretaries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will strengthen the Departments’ coordination regarding infrastructure investments and the deployment of innovative technologies at National Park Service-managed sites. 

The MOU outlines priority initiatives – including innovative technology pilots, shared mobility integration, the electrification of major transit fleets, and additional electric vehicle charging stations – which will guide the Departments’ efforts to build world-class transportation systems that provide enhanced access for car-free trips, interpretation, education, and enjoyment opportunities to visitors who want to experience public lands. 

“As our national parks and public lands experience a surge of visitation, we must be innovative in our approaches to welcome people from every zip code, while also ensuring that we pass on these natural and cultural resources to future generations.   Through this partnership with Transportation, our teams can advance the intersection of transportation innovations and access to public spaces,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “When we talk about and plan around access, we must do so with an eye toward equity. I look forward to working closely with Secretary Buttigieg and his team to ensure that sustainability and equitable access to parks and public lands remain hallmarks of our work.” 

 

Is there another park that comes this close to a major city?

IIRC, one of the main reasons the park was designated is because Ohio didn't have any parks at the time.

23 minutes ago, E Rocc said:

IIRC, one of the main reasons the park was designated is because Ohio didn't have any parks at the time.

That would make sense. its still the only one we have. Although I am surprised Serpent Mound isnt made into one.

48 minutes ago, E Rocc said:

 

Is there another park that comes this close to a major city?

IIRC, one of the main reasons the park was designated is because Ohio didn't have any parks at the time.

 

Saguaro National Park is even closer to the city of Tucson than Cuyahoga Valley is to Cleveland.  Gateway Arch is now a national park for some reason and it's right in the city of St. Louis.  Miami is close to Everglades and Biscayne National Parks.  Part of Indiana Dunes National Park is in the city of Gary, IN and there's rail nearby the entire park.  I'm guessing the intent of the partnership to increase access is to address parks like Rocky Mountain and Glacier that are super crowded and car-dominated, but hopefully Ohio can get something out of it too.

 

I suspect you're right that Cuyahoga Valley's designation was elevated because we didn't have any national parks.  The same thing happened in the last couple years with Indiana Dunes and New River Gorge in West Virginia.  Those states wanted to boost tourism and it's a very effective way to attract visitors.

14 hours ago, E Rocc said:

 

Is there another park that comes this close to a major city?

IIRC, one of the main reasons the park was designated is because Ohio didn't have any parks at the time.

The Mall in DC is also a National Park, in addition to what @acd mentioned 

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

  • 3 weeks later...

I like the sound of #1 on this list.  Does anyone know if there has been any recent developments on the talks of CVSR extending the line all the way to downtown?

 

Edited by jofrko14
Had to fix the link to the tweet.

@jofrko14 There is an effort underway to secure funding for planning to determine what is required for an extension and how much it will cost.

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

  • 4 weeks later...
On 4/20/2021 at 10:45 PM, Boomerang_Brian said:

I had a thought on the CVSR of yet another benefit if we can get it extended to downtown Cleveland.  The Boston Mills CVSR station is right across the street from the Boston Mills ski area.  They could create a "ski train" - early morning and late evening runs on weekends to cater to any downtown skier (or person with RTA access) who doesn’t want to drive.  I'm picturing how great it would look for a group decked out with ski gear at the foot of the Terminal Tower, just waiting to head out for a nice day on the slopes.

My dream for extending CVSR to downtown CLE:

 

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

  • 3 months later...

Fascinating interview on the Towpath Trail AND  Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RR.   The article does NOT have everything in the interview, so check out the audio if you have time. (Cross posted in Towpath trail thread)

Interesting note on CVSR - apparently there are track issues in Brecksville and they don’t even know if they’ll be able to run to Rockside Rd, so some big concerns there. He did also briefly talk about the desire to extend to downtown Cleveland. CVSR is last section of interview. 

 

Historic towpath trail continues to grow and connect Northeast Ohioans to recreational green spaces

 

https://www.ideastream.org/programs/sound-of-ideas/historic-towpath-trail-continues-to-grow-and-connect-northeast-ohioans-to-recreational-green-spaces
 

“And that attraction is the Towpath trail.

“On the program today, we look at its past and future, and ongoing efforts to make it even bigger than it is.

“We close the program by taking a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.”

 

Guests: 

- John Grabowski, Associate Professor of Applied History, Case Western Reserve University

- Mera Cardenas, Executive Director, Canalway Partners

- Daniel Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition

- Joe Mazur, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway

When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?

21 minutes ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Fascinating interview on the Towpath Trail AND  Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RR.   The article does NOT have everything in the interview, so check out the audio if you have time. (Cross posted in Towpath trail thread)

Interesting note on CVSR - apparently there are track issues in Brecksville and they don’t even know if they’ll be able to run to Rockside Rd, so some big concerns there. He did also briefly talk about the desire to extend to downtown Cleveland. CVSR is last section of interview. 

 

Historic towpath trail continues to grow and connect Northeast Ohioans to recreational green spaces

 

https://www.ideastream.org/programs/sound-of-ideas/historic-towpath-trail-continues-to-grow-and-connect-northeast-ohioans-to-recreational-green-spaces
 

“And that attraction is the Towpath trail.

“On the program today, we look at its past and future, and ongoing efforts to make it even bigger than it is.

“We close the program by taking a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.”

 

Guests: 

- John Grabowski, Associate Professor of Applied History, Case Western Reserve University

- Mera Cardenas, Executive Director, Canalway Partners

- Daniel Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition

- Joe Mazur, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway

 

There was a lot to like it this interview; interesting history of canal, park, and region more generally. 

 

There are erosion issues throughout the park, mostly affecting the towpath, here's a link to the parks full assessment of the impact. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/302e0fe1981b4fe1b115e98f6e5c3b3e?s=01

 

The small update of the Gorge Dam removal and extending CVSR into Cleveland are what really caught my attention. 

  • 2 weeks later...
8 minutes ago, GISguy said:

 

Going to try and actually make an effort to get a pic of it (and maybe race it on the bike) this weekend haha

I got a picture a few years ago.  Maybe I'll try to do a video this time.

Steam3.jpg

In the middle of racing it right now

 

 

 

3 hours ago, GISguy said:

In the middle of racing it right now

 

 

 

Who won?

1 hour ago, Luke_S said:

Who won?

If I stuck to the towpath I could've had it beat hahah the echo of the whistle was pretty awesome to chase! 

 

 

Screenshot_20220515-203806.png

Wow, that's some serious distance you covered! 

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

Create an account or sign in to comment

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.