September 7, 200717 yr Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Press Release For Immediate Release – Friday, September 7, 2007 Steve Wait, President & CEO, (330) 657-1900, or [email protected] Steve McNeill, Director of Marketing (330) 657-2642, or [email protected] Historic Steam Train Once Again in the Valley! Thursday, September 20, 2007 historic steam locomotive ride through the Cuyahoga Valley Peninsula, Ohio - Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad will be running a special steam locomotive through Cuyahoga Valley National Park on September 20, 2007. It will be the first time in seventeen years a steam train has rumbled along the Valley tracks. The historic steam locomotive, the OC 1293, one of the last ever made, is a former Canadian Pacific 4-6-2, built in 1948. The 80-ton coal-fired antique giant and her crew were generously donated for CVSR’s use by the Ohio Central Railroad System, with the connecting delivery donated by Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway. This three and one-half hour roundtrip tour will depart from the Rockside Station in Independence at 5:00 p.m. and travel through Cuyahoga Valley National Park to Akron Northside Station. Narrators will highlight the history of Cuyahoga Valley transportation and various points of interest along the route. In addition, a box dinner will be provided. The train will then make the return trip back to Rockside Station. Photo opportunities will be available. Seating is limited. Pricing: $195.00 Executive Class (St. Lucie Sound) $140.00 First Class (Lounge Car) $110.00 Historic Coach (not climate controlled) $85.00 Vintage Coach $50.00 Vintage Coach (CVSR members at the Brakeman level or higher. Limited to 4-tickets) For tickets and more information please call (800) 468-4070 or visit www.cvsr.com.
January 4, 200817 yr Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad PO Box 158, Peninsula, OH 44264 www.CVSR.com Phone: 1 (800) 468-4070 Fax: (330) 657- 2080 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Friday, December 21, 2007 Contact: Kelly Steele: Associate Director of Marketing (330) 657-1915 / [email protected] A Cure for Cabin Fever – Climb Aboard Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad This Winter! Peninsula, Ohio – Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) is excited to announce a cure for Cabin Fever this January and February. Starting January 12, 2008, Cabin Fever Trains will depart on Saturdays from the Northside Depot in Akron at 10 am and 1 pm and Sundays from the Rockside Depot in Independence at 10:15 am and 1 pm. The trips will run until February 24, 2008. Starting March 1, 2008, a regular weekend schedule will be announced. Each excursion will be a 1 hour and 45 minute round trip allowing riders the opportunity to see the beauty of Cuyahoga Valley National Park in winter. A special narration on the historical significance of the area and the 33,000 acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park will be included each trip by a National Park Ranger. All tickets are only $10. CVSR is a private sector, not-for-profit 501 ©(3) volunteer supported organization operating in partnership with Cuyahoga Valley National Park and is dedicated to the preservation of passenger rail transportation in Cuyahoga Valley and the historic Ohio & Erie Canalway. CVSR is entering its 35th year of excursion rail service. Tickets for Cabin Fever can be purchased in advance by calling 1-800-468-4070 or in person, ½ hour prior to departure at the depots. Information on all CVSR trips can be found at www.cvsr.com. ###
January 11, 200817 yr Cuyahoga Valley National Park News Release For Immediate Release - Friday, January 11, 2008 Mary Pat Doorley, (440) 546-5995, cell (440) 343-7355, or [email protected] Volunteers Needed for Train Programs Brecksville, Ohio - Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) is seeking enthusiastic volunteers interested in sharing the wonders of the national park with Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) riders. Volunteers must be outgoing, reliable, friendly and have a willingness to learn. Training will be provided for these exciting volunteer opportunities. Rail Rovers - Climb aboard CVSR and visit with passengers as they journey through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Distribute brochures, share information about the valley, and answer questions as you enjoy this historic railroad. Hours are flexible. Student Explorer Program - Retired teachers and those who love working with students are needed to educate students about the resources of CVNP. Programs involve hands-on activities and riding the train through the national park. Volunteers must be available weekday mornings. Canal Camp - Retired teachers and those who love working with students are needed to educate students about the resources of CVNP. Assist in the operation of a historic lock, participate in historic games, and enjoy a train ride. Volunteers must be available weekday mornings during the summer. Contact Park Ranger Pamela Machuga at (330) 657-1914 or [email protected] for more information regarding these opportunities. CVSR is a non-profit organization that runs historic, educational, and recreational train excursions through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, between Independence, downtown Akron, and downtown Canton. For more information about CVSR, contact (800) 468-4070 or visit www.cvsr.com/. CVNP encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural activities in one setting. For more information about the park, visit www.nps.gov/cuva/ or www.dayinthevalley.com/ or call (216) 524-1497 or (800) 445-9667.
February 12, 200817 yr Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chuck Glazer (216) 583-4944 Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to honor retiring U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula at All Aboard Ball AKRON (February 11, 2008) – The fourth edition of Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s (CVSR’s) All Aboard Ball, to be held Saturday, May 3, will pay tribute to Rep. Ralph Regula, who will be retiring from Congress after 36 years. Regula co-sponsored the legislation that created Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and he and his wife, Mary, have had lifelong devotions to the national park system, CVSR and the Ohio & Erie Canalway. In keeping with CVSR’s efforts to celebrate the region’s rich tradition of industrial achievement and transportation resources, this year’s All Aboard Ball will be at Williams Aviation FBO at Akron Fulton International Airport. The black-tie affair will be held in the aviation firm’s 200,000-square-foot hangar, also near the landmark Akron Airdock for blimps. Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic has agreed to be the event’s honorary chair. He has been mayor since 1987 and overall has devoted 33 years to public service. He and his staff were instrumental in bringing this year’s All Aboard Ball to Akron. Last year the All Aboard Ball was held at Dock 32 of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority on Lake Erie. In 2006, revelers gathered at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s Rail Shop. The debut ball was held at Heidtman Steel Company on Independence Rd. in Cleveland. The All Aboard Ball raises funds to help keep CVSR running and making its trips and events affordable to the thousands of families and individuals who ride it. CVSR serves 127,000 passengers annually with its vintage fleet of locomotives and coaches, its service throughout the Cuyahoga Valley and its unique events like wine-tasting trains, “The Little Engine That Could™ I Think I Can™ Rail Tour,” “Day Out with Thomas™” and “The Polar Express™.” CVSR presently runs along a 51-mile route from Canton, through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, to Independence. One of the oldest, longest excursion railroads in the nation, CVSR plans to extend its route through Cleveland’s Industrial Valley to a station at Tower City. About 400 guests, among them top industrialists and philanthropists, are expected at this year’s All Aboard Ball. CVSR’s luxury private railcar, the St. Lucie Sound, will be parked on tracks near the hangar and open for tours, and trolley service will be available. Corporate and personal sponsorships for the event start at $2,500 and include a table of eight guests. Individual tickets are $250. For reservations or further information, please contact the CVSR office in Peninsula, Ohio at 1-800-468-4070, extension 3099. The All Aboard Ball’s committee represents a cross-section of Cleveland business and civic leaders, including Mayor Plusquellic as honorary chairman, Greg Glenn, group vice president, Heidtman Steel Products, is chairman and Gregory G. Kruszka, retired senior vice president of operations, Ridge Tool Co., is vice-chairman. The All Aboard Ball committee also includes Siegfried F. Buerling, director of properties, emeritus, Western Reserve Historical Society; Peter Buerling, manager, information technology, First Energy Corp.; Charles Arnout (Arnie) de la Porte, consul, Kingdom of the Netherlands; John P. Debo Jr., superintendent, Cuyahoga Valley National Park; Jon T. Elsasser, senior vice president and chief information officer, The Timken Company; Richard M. Enty, retired planning team leader, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority; Charles T. Glazer, director of communications, North Central Sub-Area, Ernst & Young LLP; R. Thomas Green Jr., chairman emeritus, Oglebay Norton Co.; Mary Beth Holdford, manager of corporate social responsibility, ArcelorMittal USA; Connie Krauss, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce; Thomas J. Jackson, M.D.; Wendy Schweiger, vice president, Edward Howard; and George R. Snider, retired president and CEO of SRA International, Inc. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is a private-sector, volunteer-supported, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of passenger rail transportation in the Cuyahoga Valley and the Ohio & Erie Canalway. -0-
April 11, 200817 yr Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad PO Box 158, Peninsula, OH 44264 www.CVSR.com Phone: (800) 468-4070 Fax: (330) 657-2080 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Friday, April 11, 2008 Contact: Kelly Steele, Director of Marketing (330) 657-1915 / [email protected] All Aboard for Bike Aboard! Take a ride on Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for just $2! Peninsula, OH. – Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) and Cuyahoga Valley National Park in partnership announce the launch of Bike Aboard! service for 2008. Bike Aboard! allows cyclists to bike the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in one direction and ride the rail in the other for just $2. This initiative, new in 2007, allows everyone the ability to become a fitness commuter and ride their way to better health. Riders can choose how far they want to go. New in 2008, CVSR is offering a one-train schedule. Bikers can be aggressive and ride the Towpath Trail from Independence to Akron, or stop at any of the 6 stations in between, then return by rail to see more of the park. The new schedule conveniently adds more times, including a 5:10 p.m. departure northbound out of Akron, so bikers and passengers on CVSR’s regular excursions have more options than ever. For Bike Aboard!, bikers pay as they board, no guaranteed seats, no reservations necessary – complete flexibility. Bike Aboard! service is offered weekends in April and May – with the exception of May 17, 18, 24 and 25 to clear the tracks for A Day Out With Thomas™, “The Great Discovery Tour 2008”, a special event held at the Boston Mills Station. Service will then resume Wednesday through Sunday starting June 4th and will run through the end of August, weekends in September, and again five days a week in October. CVSR is a private sector, not-for-profit, 501 ©(3) volunteer supported organization operating in partnership with Cuyahoga Valley National Park. CVSR is dedicated to the preservation of passenger rail transportation in Cuyahoga Valley and the historic Ohio & Erie Canalway. CVSR is entering its 35th year of excursion rail service. Service is offered weekends in March, April and May, September, November and December; Wednesday through Sundays in June, July, August and October. More information about all of CVSR’s excursions and events can be found at www.CVSR.com or by calling 800.468.4070.
April 13, 200817 yr I saw on the website that Bike Aboard is $2, but the fee to go from Rockside Road to Akron, Canton, or Peninsula without a bicycle is $15 one-way.
May 15, 200817 yr Look which one came in at 10th in the nation..... http://www.americasbestonline.net/index.php/pages/trainexcursions.html Top Ten Train Excursions in the USA Top 10 Railroad Excursions 1. GrandLuxe's National Parks of the West American Orient Express travels through the region’s most scenic lands along the legendary northern transcontinental rail route blazed by the Northern Pacific railroad. Your rail journey is the ideal way to see the Pacfic Northwest and the magnificent Rockies, including stops at four National Parks: Glacier, Mt. Rainier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. 2. Alaska Railroad All along the magnificent journey from Seward to Fairbanks, through stunning scenic wild and panoramic vistas, guests are showered with thought-provoking commentary delivered by life long Alaskan tour guides. But you can't beat the sweeping views of Denali, award-winning glimpses of color-brushed tundra, and chance glances at moose, bear, eagles, and the occasional fox. As you can imagine, the train's grand picture windows come in handy for, well, superb pictures. 3. White Pass & Yukon Route - Skagway, Alaska Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. The WP&YR climbs nearly 3000 feet in just 20 miles and features steep grades of up to 3.9%, cliff-hanging turns of 16 degrees, two tunnels and numerous bridges and trestles. See the steel cantilever bridge which was the tallest of its kind in the world when it was constructed in 1901. Experience the breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites from the comfort of our vintage passenger coaches. 4. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Durango was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1879. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. This historic train has been in continuous operation for 126 years, carrying passengers behind vintage steam locomotives and rolling stock indigenous to the line. 5. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy scenic train journeys across fertile valleys, into tunnels and through river gorges in a spectacular region called The Great Smoky Mountains. This section of western North Carolina offers a wide array of ever changing vegetation and fantastic landscapes. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is truly spectacular with 53 miles of track, two tunnels and 25 bridges. Choose from a variety of round trip excursions departing from depots in Dillsboro and Bryson City. 6. Shasta Sunset Dinner Train - Mount Shasta, Californa The Shasta Sunset Dinner Train operates over the historic McCloud Railway, with roots back to 1897 and the early logging days of Siskiyou County. Built over the southern flank of 14,162-foot Mt. Shasta to connect the bustling company town of McCloud with the outside world, then as now, forest products from the region's rich timber belt were the railroad's mainstay. Steep grades, sharp curves and a unique "switch back" were features of the original construction "over the hill" that dinner train guests experience today. 7. Napa Valley Wine Train - Californa The Napa Valley Wine Train's 3-hour-long, 37-mile round-trip between Napa and St. Helena, passengers can choose to enjoy a gourmet meal prepared on board for an additional charge. They can also sample several of the region's wines available at the wine bar located in one of the lounge cars. The train offers optional stops for tours of Domaine Chandon Winery in Yountville or Grgich Hills Cellar in Rutherford for an additional fee. The train hosts several special events throughout the year including murder mystery dinner theatre, family fun trips, vintner's luncheons, appellation dinners and holiday excursions. 8. Grand Canyon Railway - Arizona In 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway brought interested travelers from all over the world to stand on the rim and ponder the feeling that touches all of humanity in a similar manner when they gaze upon the canyon. Grand Canyon Railway was the lifeline to Grand Canyon National Park in the early 20th century. It was the railroad, along with the Fred Harvey Company, that commissioned and built most of the historic structures that still exist along the South Rim. The historic train almost faded into history itself when passenger service to Grand Canyon National Park stopped in 1968 as train travel gave way to the popularity of automobile travel. But like any legend it refused to die. As fate would have it, Grand Canyon Railway was reborn in 1989 when entrepreneurs Max & Thelma Biegert brought the Grand Canyon's train back to life. Today, Grand Canyon Railway carries more than 230,000 people by rail to Grand Canyon National Park each year. The Railway also offers vacation packages that include train travel, stays at Williams and Grand Canyon hotels, RV park stays and much more. 9. Mt. Rainier Railroad Dining Co. - Washington This excursion train travels to the large trestle at MP 59, near Divide, WA, for an 18 mile trip lasting 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Trains depart from our Mineral, WA restoration facility, and are powered by one of our steam locomotives unless otherwise noted on the schedule page. During the ride you'll travel through forests and past the town of Mineral. You'll also cross several small trestles over mountain streams. On the afternoon run you'll also cross a large timber trestle. At Divide you'll have a view of Storm King Mountain. Steep grades mean you'll get the chance to see the steam locomotive working hard. 10. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad On Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad you will experience the fun and adventure, the romance and nostalgia of riding the train on one of the oldest, longest, and most scenic excursion railways in the country. Enjoy an unforgettable journey through the heart of beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park, along the Cuyahoga River and the historic Ohio & Erie Canalway between Cleveland and Akron, and on to Canton. Honorable Mention Railway Excursions Alaska Central Railroad Wasilla, AK Classification: 7.5 " gauge railroad Location: The railroad is located in Wasilla, Alaska, about 50 miles north of Anchorage. It can be found between the Wasilla Airport and the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry. Comments: The Alaska Central Railroad is the operating division of the Alaska Live Steamers, Inc. Verde River Canyon Excursion Train 300 N. Broadway Clarkdale, AZ 86324 Telephone: (520)639-0010, (800)293-7245 Classification: Diesel excursions Location: 2 hours north of Phoenix. Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway Company P.O. Box 310 Eureka Springs, AR 72632-0310 Telephone: (501)253-9623 Email: [email protected] Classification: Steam excursions with dinner train operations Location: 299 North Main Street Highway 23 Reader Railroad P.O. Box 507 Hot Springs, AR 71902 Telephone: (501)624-6881 Alternate telephone: (501)685-2692 Classification: Excursions Arkansas & Missouri Railroad 306 East Emma Springdale, AR 72764 Telephone: (800)687-8600 Alternate telephone: (501)751-8600 Email: [email protected] Classification: Diesel excursions Location: Depot at corner of Emma at Railroad tracks in Springdale, Arkansas. This is the northwestern part of the state, in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Comments: AKA Scenic Ozark Railway Journeys. Twice a week excursions through the Boston Mountains from Springdale and Van Buren, Arkansas. Operates April through mid Noverber. Alco locomotives and turn of the century passenger cars, some with air conditioning, all heated and openable windows during pretty (most of the year) weather. Through Winslow Tunnel (1768 feet long) and over high trestles with abundant scenery and wildlife along the line to see. Snacks available, no meals served. Roaring Camp Railway P.O. Box G-1 Felton, CA 95018 Telephone: (408)335-4484 Classification: Diesel excursions Location: Six miles north of Santa Cruz, on Grahm Hill Road, at the Felton Depot. Comments: Trains to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and return. Spring through Fall operation. Fillmore and Western Railway 351 Santa Clara Avenue Fillmore, CA 93015 Telephone: (805)524-2546 Alternate telephone: (800)773-8724 Email: [email protected] Classification: Diesel excursions Location: On state route 126 between I-5 and US 101. Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad 56001 Yosemite Highway 41 Fish Camp, CA 93623 Telephone: (209)683-7273 Classification: 3 foot gauge steam railroad California Western Railroad P.O. Box 907 Fort Bragg, CA 95437 Telephone: (707)964-6371 Alternate telephone: (800)777-5865 Classification: Steam and diesel excursions Location: Highway One & Laurel Street. Railtown 1897 Historic Park Sierra Railway Company; P.O. Box 1250 Jamestown, CA 95327 Telephone: (209)984-3953 Classification: Steam and diesel excursions Location: 5th Avenue and Reservoir Road. Comments: This is the Sierra Railway that is often used on television shows and in the movies. Railtown 1897 Historic Park Page (unofficial) Travel Town Museum 3900 West Chevy Chase Drive Los Angeles, CA 90039 Telephone: (213)662-5874 Classification: Museum with diesel excursions Location: At the NW corner of Griffith Park. Comments: Operates the Crystal Springs & Cahuenga Valley Railroad. McCloud Railway Company and Shasta Sunset Dinner Train P.O. Box 1500 McCloud , CA 96057 Telephone: (916)964-2142 Fax number: (916)964-2250 Email: [email protected] Classification: Excursions and dinner train Location: Trains load at Main Street, McCloud, CA across from the Post Office Comments: Weekend diesel excursions California State Railroad Museum/Sacramento Southern Railroad 111 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814-2265 Actual location: Old Sacramento, California Telephone: (916)445-7387 Email: [email protected] Classification: Museum with steam excursions Location: Second and "I" Streets. Bay Area Electric Railroad Association - Western Railway Museum 5848 State Highway 12 Suisun City, CA 94585 Telephone: (800)900-7245 Alternate telephone: (707)374-2978 Email: [email protected] Classification: Museum with diesel excursions Location: On route 12 between Fairfield and Rio Vista. Comments: Owns 22 miles of former Sacramento Northern Railway trackage. Operates streetcars and interurbans on weekends (Wednesdays thru Sundays from July 4th to Labor Day) on a 6 mile line. Operates diesel excursions trains in Spring and Winter from Rio Vista Junction to Dozier station. Reservations are required for the excursion trains. 800 number is for reservations only, please. Niles Canyon Railway P.O. Box 2247 Fremont , CA 94536-0247 Actual location: Sunol, California Telephone: (510)862-9063 Email: [email protected] Location: Station is in Sunol, one mile west of Interstate 680 on California Highway 84. Comments: Current schedule: First and Third Sundays, 10 am to 4 PM, year around. Trains leave every 45 minutes. Additional running schedule: Every Sunday in April, and night trains Saturday and Sunday the first three weekends in December. Night train tickets are sold in advance. Six miles of rail have been replaced on the historic right-of-way first used by the Central Pacific in the 1860's. (The line was abandoned by Southern Pacific in the mid 1980's.) Round trip takes approximately 1 hour (plus). Currently (5/96), 2-6-2T Quincy #2 is being used, along with the California Western M-200 "skunk" motorcar. Plans (someday) are to extend into the town of Niles, and eastward to the town of Pleasanton. Railroad is staffed entirely by volunteers -- always can use more help! Calico & Odessa Railroad P.O. Box 638 Yermo, CA 92398 Telephone: (619)254-2252 Classification: Excursions Yreka Western Railroad P.O. Box 660 Yreka, CA 96097 Telephone: (916)842-4146 Alternate telephone: (800)973-5277 Email: [email protected] Location: Off I-5 exit for Central Yreka. Located within the scenic and cultural attractions of Southern Oregon and the Shasta-Cascade Wonderland, 35 miles south of Ashland, Oregon, and 35 miles north of Mount Shasta in Northern California. Railroad and Train Links European Rail Travel - Index Rail Travel Center Home Page Amtrak TrainWeb Classic Rail Cars & Rail store Train Forums TrainBoard.com TrainBoard.com: Discussion forums and message boards for everything railroading. Mountain State Rails A forum community studying and discussing all aspects of West Virginia railroading. Trains.com Forum Forum from Trains Magazine. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 16, 200817 yr Long time and no news on the expansion into Steelyard and DT Cleveland. Does anyone have an update?
August 15, 200816 yr Passed along from a friend at CVSR...... Please take a look at the link below of a first-time special CVSR e-Bay auction item. Please encourage all your friends and associates to view and bid this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is only a 10-day item (maximum time for eBay) so please get the word out ASAP to as many as possible. For those of you unfamiliar with e-Bay, simply scroll down to view the entire listing. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270265617701 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 18, 200915 yr http://www.ohio.com/news/47212367.html Railroad tourists can tune in to sites thanks to GPS By Bob Downing Beacon Journal staff writer POSTED: 12:44 p.m. EDT, Jun 08, 2009 There's something new aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. ......... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 12, 201014 yr Some old stale news from the CVNP. The signal gate updates took place last Fall. I believe that all road/train intersections in the park have lit up signal gates that close for trains. I'm not sure what that does for allowing higher speeds with those in place.. http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=4771 Alternative Transportation Program Launched Cuyahoga Valley National Park hosted the national announcement for the new Alternative Transportation In the Parks and Public Lands program (ATTPL) program on Monday, August 28th, at the Peninsula Depot Visitor Center in the village of Peninsula. Deputy Interior Secretary Lynn Scarlett and Federal Transit Administrator James S. Simpson made the announcement joined by U.S. Senator Mike DeWine and Representative Ralph Regula. The grants are part of a program to promote alternative transportation in national parks and public lands. A total of $20 million will pay for 42 projects in 21 states and Puerto Rico. Over the next four years, a total of $97 million in grants will be awarded. The goal of the ATTPL program is to reduce pollution and congestion and preserve parklands and wildlife areas while increasing access for visitors, including the disabled. ATTPL was established under Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy of Users of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU). Cuyahoga Valley will receive nearly $900,000 to make improvements to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Funding will allow for the purchase of a railroad maintenance vehicle and a second accessible railroad passenger car. It also includes design funds to rehabilitate existing rail and upgrade and/or install new railroad gates and signals. "We're excited to be included in this first phase of grants," said Cuyahoga Valley National Park superintendent John P. Debo, Jr. "We look forward to many more in the future." Cuyahoga Valley National Park was chosen for the announcement because of the number of grants that it was awarded and the diversity of projects that will be funded, Scarlett said. Other grants were awarded to Acadia National Park in Maine to purchase eight propane buses and two vans with trailers for visitors' bicycles. In Grand Canyon National Park, the money will be used to rebuild a shuttle-bus transfer area. Americans should be free to enjoy our national parks without having to worry about being stuck in traffic," Simpson said. "These grants will give travelers more ways to view America's true splendor. Immediately following the announcement everyone was invited to ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The speakers, most attendees, and some media participated in the ride hosted by the National Park Service, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association. Following the event, Scarlett spent time with Debo and the park’s non- profit friends group, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association (CVNPA). Scarlett met with CEO Deb Yandala, board president Dick Ainsworth, and select board members to discuss CVNPA initiatives in the national park as well as special projects.
July 12, 201014 yr I was surprised to see the trains cruising along at 40 mph over much of the route, compared to 15 mph previously. And the station activity at trains times in Akron is very impressive. Lots of passengers, bicycles, connecting Akron Metro buses, station-area development and more coming (10-story Marriott hotel!). It's probably the most vibrant, active railroad station in Ohio. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 12, 201014 yr This is another one of those "gems" that we in Cleveland don't seem to be able to take advantage of (Akron can and did). Having downtown rail access to a National Park would be huge. There are only a handful of places in the world where you can do this. Add the Zoo via tram or cable car and it would probably generate enough interest in downtown living to justify an apartment/condo development at Tower City or the Scranton Peninsula.
July 12, 201014 yr I've been impressed with the number of people I find on the train; I've been riding it basically every weekend for the past month and a half, ever since I bought my new bike, because of CVSR's Bike Aboard! program (one-way trip for $2.00 if you're boarding a bike). Two weekends ago, I actually biked from downtown Akron with my backpack empty, filled it up with stuff at Szalay's farm market just south of Peninsula, and hopped on the CVSR from Peninsula to come home. I've been meaning to try at least one of their Grape Escape and Ales on Rails programs, too. Happy hour on the train is surprisingly good ($2.50/bottle, with a haphazard but generally decent selection, not just macrobrews, though they have those as well). I actually know the train announcer (the sunny girl who speaks over the loudspeaker from the cafe car). Definitely one of Akron and the Valley's hidden gems (both the Towpath Trail and CVSR).
July 12, 201014 yr This is another one of those "gems" that we in Cleveland don't seem to be able to take advantage of (Akron can and did). Having downtown rail access to a National Park would be huge. There are only a handful of places in the world where you can do this. Add the Zoo via tram or cable car and it would probably generate enough interest in downtown living to justify an apartment/condo development at Tower City or the Scranton Peninsula. I agree it would be huge, but the cost of extending CVSR north from Independence to Tower City will be equally huge. The biggest costs are: 1. possibly buying the CSX right of way outright south of Big Creek and an easement north of Big Creek; 2. elevating the CVSR tracks over the CSX and NS tracks coming down the Big Creek valley into the steel mills; 3. providing a crossing of the Cuyahoga River below I-490, which could include only a new track over the existing double-track wide lift bridge that has only one track on it; 4. Tower City station -- this is going to be an expensive station owing to gradient differences between the CVSR track level and the Tower City parking lot level (cost-sharing with the new casino might be possible). The Akron North Side station didn't have these access issues, but getting CVSR into the new intermodal station in the heart of downtown does have some large access costs. My guess is that's a long way from ever happening since downtown Akron seems to be expanding toward the CVSR, not the other way around. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 12, 201014 yr I don't believe connecting the two stations in downtown Akron is at all vital since the one is just a bus station. It may be called an Intermodal but I don't see passenger trains stopping there for another 5 years if that. Those trains will likely be coming from Kent. If they want to hop on a train that takes them some place else, they can take a bus or walk to Northside.
July 12, 201014 yr BTW, I encourage everyone to join us for our July 24 CVSR ride, meeting and luncheon. If you are not a member, the event registration also includes a one-year membership in All Aboard Ohio! PLEASE NOTE the train departs Brecksville at 9:20 a.m., so kindly get there by 9 a.m., if you are boarding at that location. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 12, 201014 yr I like the idea in theory...but as a former employee in the arena of state/national parks, I can tell you to be careful for what you wish for. There is such a thing as "loving it to death" Ask Hawaii parks about this...and until we can afford to hire more park personnel to deal with the influx, I don't know that I would want to make it so overly easy for everyone to visit the place because with the current lack of environmental regard for places like Edgewater (which is right under our nose)...and a growing area in the metro-parks, this is sure to bring increased trash/litter and other problems that will surely undermine the whole allure and appeal the park has in the first place. Like RTA and how many come to their defense with the "lack of funding" argument, please afford the same consideration for our national/state/local park systems..because when it comes time for cuts, these are the first things to get attacked in the budget. And, I can tell you right now that they are in no position to suddenly welcome increased influx into the park when it comes to cleaning up after messes or keeping track of other related issues that accompany such visitation numbers. So, I pose the question of what do you want these parks to look and feel like when you go...especially when you are taking out-of-towners? Like the RTA track right of way along the trails....tattered with trash and maybe other things? Until we can work more on raising awareness of litter being serious issue in our state costing millions, then I will settle for limited access by bike trail. Those who hike/bike are the least likely to destroy such a place. I will almost guarantee that the more access you give to this place, the dirtier it will become. So let's try and focus, again, on quality...instead of quantity. This is all just something to think about if you want to preserve the integrity of these places and have them looking better in person than they do on the post card...instead of the other way around. I have seen the above happen. There needs to be a balance in visitation and staff to handle it...and staff who actually WILL. (current issue at Edgewater)
July 12, 201014 yr This is why there is a new federal funding program called "Transit in the Parks" to increase the availability of transit to National Parks so they don't become clogged with cars. The CVSR extension to downtown Cleveland is an eligible project for funding from this program. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 12, 201014 yr ^ Funding programs will not simply or suddenly prevent or fix this unique and specific problem if geared only toward cleaning up the mess with more hired staff, either... It needs to be spent very cautiously and wisely to not treat the symptom of the problems I pose, but to prevent them all together.......to promote a different cultural mindset towards the issue via more education/awareness/prevention and law enforcement. Please, I won't argue with you on railroad issues; I hope you will grant me the same consideration of what I know about parks and their staff and maintenance issues, having worked in and around them..and volunteered for a long time. CVNP is not necessarily clogged with cars...weekend are busy, but during the week, it is a great place..peaceful and beautiful, and hardly a plastic bottled water bottle on the ground, or McDonald's trash pitched out of the car window! .
July 12, 201014 yr But I will argue with you on whether there is a problem and I don't see that problem with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, even though it is one of the nation's busiest. I think the railroad extension to downtown Cleveland is a great way of increasing the number of visitors to the park in a sustainable way. We can discuss general concerns about the park, but that's not relevant to the topic of this thread. I'm sure there's a CVNP thread around here somewhere, and if there isn't, I encourage you start one. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 12, 201014 yr How often do you visit this park? The point is that increased influx of visitation will bring the problems that right now, you may not see; a lot more than just litter. I would love to be able to address this issue in person as it is too long to do it on this forum. But I just wonder....Why is more always better? Why does every place have to become a "Disney Land" of sort? The reason there are a lot of visitors, most of who are the kind CURRENTLY who respect the place, are because it is sandwiched between two large metros. If you start training everyone in....and make it some touristy attraction where anyone and everyone comes, you WILL spoil the place in many ways. I will bet a thousand dollars on that. I want to add that Ohio is near the bottom in such national park space made available and near the top in visitation and/or demand. The visitation issue of our parks getting highly visited is because the available space is actually disproportionate to our population...and you want to start funneling in more via rail? This will only add to the already existing visitors because it is unlikely those who are currently going by car (from all over) will not just jump on the rail and leave the car at home. Here is a more wise approach and priority to this overall issue statewide......How about us working as a state to add more preserved areas first? This way, there will be a little more room for more visitation. It is about balance and right now, the populations that visit our state, local, and national park areas in Ohio is disproportionate to the available space and demand for more space. Bottom line, just funneling in more visitors or making it overly easy for access, given our current public land available/visitor ratio... I give the place two years before I will guarantee that you will see the signs of exactly what I am talking about here. I thought we LOVED these places and cherished them. If we do, then let's start treating them this way with respect and consideration and not loving them to death. Like I have written to the state to promote more rail spending... How about we accompany this by suggesting that we set aside more public land instead of seeing it become McMansionville....and such can even help preserve urban cores in the long run, by forcing urban growth to stay near the cores. I know a host of people who have worked in the park areas who would understand totally where I am coming from on this one. I hope they are not the only ones who do.
July 12, 201014 yr Because we live in America, where consumption is king. But like I said before, and which you ignored, that is outside the topic of this thread. For the second time, discuss general park issues and concerns in the CVNP thread. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 12, 201014 yr I just don't like the darned-if-you-don't, danged-if-you-do logic of EC's post. If the current visitors are responsible, well, don't encourage anyone else to come, because the new ones will be different and irresponsible. If the current visitors are irresponsible, well, don't encourage anyone else to come, because the new ones will be the same: irresponsible. As I said earlier, I only started biking in the park less than two months ago. Am I unwelcome? Should I have been discouraged from coming in until more space could be designated for preservation elsewhere in the state (where I'd probably never go, since it's not located on a convenient bike trail that goes right by my apartment)? Obviously, there are differences in degree. But the part of the trail I bike on the weekends could easily handle several hundred more people per day, and while there were a lot of people on the CVSR, it could easily have held 100 more, maybe even 200. I don't think that there is any risk of the place becoming "Disneyland" anytime soon.
July 12, 201014 yr ^ Sorry, but both of you may not like what I say...but its just an inconvenient truth, and denial is a tough place. Its a fact, buy it Landon, you'll sleep better! KJP...your vision of America is not mine, so spare speaking for all.
July 12, 201014 yr Actually, I think it's a convenient fiction, not an inconvenient truth, so we'll have to agree to disagree--but you won't get any apologies out of me for trying to bring more people into the park, whether by bike, rail, car, horse, camel, helicopter, parachute, hang glider, or transporter ray.
July 12, 201014 yr Personally I'd rather see more of the kind of visitors that like to take transit to the park and less of the kind that prefer to drive to the park.
July 12, 201014 yr ^ Sorry, but both of you may not like what I say...but its just an inconvenient truth, and denial is a tough place. Its a fact, buy it Landon, you'll sleep better! KJP...your vision of America is not mine, so spare speaking for all. Who said it was my vision? So spare me from putting words in my mouth. I'm not going to have a debate with you here about whether consumption should continue to be the M.O. in America. I've informed you to stay on topic and discuss those other issues elsewhere in appropriate threads. If you can't limit this discussion to CVSR, then I'm going to delete those messages. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 13, 201014 yr ^ Sorry, but both of you may not like what I say...but its just an inconvenient truth, and denial is a tough place. Its a fact, buy it Landon, you'll sleep better! KJP...your vision of America is not mine, so spare speaking for all. Dude, you need to lighten up.
July 13, 201014 yr ^ Sorry, but both of you may not like what I say...but its just an inconvenient truth, and denial is a tough place. Its a fact, buy it Landon, you'll sleep better! KJP...your vision of America is not mine, so spare speaking for all. Who said it was my vision? So spare me from putting words in my mouth. I'm not going to have a debate with you here about whether consumption should continue to be the M.O. in America. I've informed you to stay on topic and discuss those other issues elsewhere in appropriate threads. If you can't limit this discussion to CVSR, then I'm going to delete those messages. Granted. And I would greatly appreciate it if you would sometimes allow for the fact that someone (anyone) else may be a bit more in tune with a given issue than you...and if you would not request to stay on topic in such a dismissive way that makes what I say seem insignificant. Thank you. Now, the issue I made to the idea of transit reaching the park was simply that available park lands and management staff and funding, versus demand at this particular time, cannot handle the extra influx..and that a good idea is to first promote for more setting aside of public land. (although in theory, I would support nearby rail access) End of story. That was not so off topic. If people would try to see the validity, any...in that idea, instead of defending something that can result in what I described, then we would not have these huge debates. Its all about keeping an open mind and taking on board another idea that may sometimes be out of the mainstream or against the grain. Excuse me for having the "selfish interest" of wanting to preserve the quality experience and integrity of the parks, one of our most valued assets!
July 13, 201014 yr Personally I'd rather see more of the kind of visitors that like to take transit to the park and less of the kind that prefer to drive to the park. Exactly.
July 13, 201014 yr Personally I'd rather see more of the kind of visitors that like to take transit to the park and less of the kind that prefer to drive to the park. Exactly. Most of the people biking in the park took cars to one trailhead or another--you can watch them loading and unloading at basically any trailhead you pass. Not everyone lives on the route. (I'd guess that that applies to a fair number of the runners along the Towpath Trail, too.) The CVSR's Bike Aboard program, and the generally well-maintained trail, make the park one of the best biking spots in Northeast Ohio. (The conspicuous and pungent exception is the part by the compost plant, but I digress ...) I hardly blame people for driving their bikes here to take advantage--nor the state for providing many different car access points into the park. The CVSR couldn't exist if demand were as dispersed as EC would like. It would be a ghost train. I think the fact that we have more demand, in terms of visitors-per-square-mile or whatever metric you care to use, for our state parks (and this one in particular) is a good thing, particularly for CVSR.
July 13, 201014 yr That is why we need to bring the CVSR into Terminal Tower. The whole park now becomes foot accessible to everyone living downtown and withing walking distance of the Rapid. Ski train in the winter too!
July 13, 201014 yr Would that it could, but Terminal Tower has been made almost inaccesible due to the construction of the current Federal Building. The CVSR was working with the State of Ohio at one time to access The Flats, but I don't know how far they got on that.
July 14, 201014 yr Would that it could, but Terminal Tower has been made almost inaccesible due to the construction of the current Federal Building. The CVSR was working with the State of Ohio at one time to access The Flats, but I don't know how far they got on that. The new Federal Building is on the far end of where CVSR needs to come into the Terminal from. Why is this a problem?
July 14, 201014 yr The CVSR trains are proposed to someday reach Tower City, and it is physically possible for them reach it. CVSR found the most cost-effective to do this is to put the train station on the CSX right of way between Canal Road and the river and then build a vertical structure with an elevator and stairwell, then a horizontal walkway over to the parking lot/RTA track level for Tower City. I suggested a more expensive idea that would put the train station on the parking lot/RTA track level for Tower City. The reason why this is more expensive is because it requires building a new access track up the hill from the CSX tracks up to RTA track level, basically on the alignment of the old W&LE up to its pre-1929 station located on Ontario just northwest of Eagle. I developed this diagram showing how a Tower City station would still be possible with access via CUT's east approach.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 14, 201014 yr It could either greatly aid it or completely eliminate it from future consideration. These site plans of the Tower City Convention Center site show how the CVSR station could be incorporated into the design for a major facility above it (be it a convention center or a huge new casino).... Detailed station view of the one above.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 15, 201014 yr Would that it could, but Terminal Tower has been made almost inaccesible due to the construction of the current Federal Building. The CVSR was working with the State of Ohio at one time to access The Flats, but I don't know how far they got on that. As I understand it, CSX is the hold up right now (I'm not being critical) because of their concerns about liability. I seem to recall reading that somewhere a month or two ago.
July 15, 201014 yr Correct. I had dinner this evening with one of CVSR's former board members who's still actively involved. He said CSX is the hold up. They won't even come to the table to discuss the extension without money on the table to show that CVSR is serious. Problem is CVSR doesn't have any money. The option being considered now is to extend the national park designation northward along the Towpath Trail to at least Steelyard Commons. That could allow the Department of the Interior to acquire the most critical section of CSX tracks. There's also a secondary route option to downtown being considered -- via Scranton Peninsula. But describing this routing will require a map. Stay tuned.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 15, 201014 yr ...As promised. Here is an overview of the roughly eight miles of the Downtown Cleveland extension of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: And here's a detail of the routing options north of I-490. The originally proposed option, ending at Tower City, is still the leading option but requires the approval of CSX which isn't crazy about sharing a lift bridge over a navigable waterway with a passenger rail operator that doesn't have a huge amount of liability insurance (most railroads want them to have $500 million coverage). There was another railroad lift bridge immedialy next to this CSX lift bridge, and its on the north/west side of the CSX bridge which is a good location for CVSR as a passenger-only track will need to be built on this side of CSX to avoid interference with CSX operations at its Clark Avenue Yard. The other route option, to Settlers Landing, requires putting back about two miles of track on an alignment that, in some sections, hasn't had track on it for almost 30 years. Much of its ownership has been divided up among other users who have excavated it and regraded it. This route option also means restoring a substantial bridge structure over Scranton Road, including massive abutments that have largely been removed. And, for the crème de la crème, it requires restoring the mothballed Big Four railroad lift bridge next to the Carter Road lift bridge as well as putting back the railroad bridge over Carter Road next to the rowing society. For comparison of what this lift bridge might cost, restoring the Columbus Road lift bridge will cost $49 million -- for a bridge that's seen routine maintenance and active use. The Big Four lift bridge has been sitting there unused and rusting for 25 years. But this routing is an option that's being considered... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 15, 201014 yr Quick Quiz: What's the busiest railroad passenger station in the State of Ohio? If you include rail transit, then the answer is the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's Tower City Center Station which has several hundred rapid transit trains and 20,000 riders per day flowing through it. But we're talking railroads, the kind that are regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration, not the Federal Transit Administration which oversees Cleveland's rapid rail system. We often hear that Amtrak's station at Toledo's MLK Plaza is Ohio's busiest railroad passenger depot. With four daily Amtrak trains (28 per week), two daily Amtrak buses to/from Michigan and connecting TARTA buses, it certainly has the most vehicular activity. And it has the greatest ridership for any Ohio Amtrak station -- 54,488 in 2009 (http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/factsheets/OHIO09.pdf). But it just doesn't measure up to the king.... CVSR's Akron Northside train station. It has: > 10 daily scheduled arrivals and departures Wednesday through Sunday (six trains to/from Independence, four trains to/from Canton, yet doesn't count unscheduled special runs, fundraiser trips, etc.) for a total of 50 trains per week. > Approximately 75,000 riders on/off per year (based on personal observations, an average of about 50 people get on/off each CVSR train at Akron x 10 trains per day x five days per week x 30 weeks per year = 75,000). It may actually be more than 75,000 because CVSR regularly operates trains in winter, including its popular Polar Express. > CVSR's popular Bike Aboard program and at-station links to an Akron Metro RTA downtown circulator bus (which is copied by SARTA at Canton starting this summer) creates a great deal of station-area activity and intermodalism at Akron. > Station-area development: Akron's Northside Station has become a powerful draw for downtown real estate development. First was the Northside Lofts with Chrissy Hynde's VegiTerranean Restaurant and adjacent townhouse development in the last two years. Now comes a 10-story Marriott Hotel proposed next to the Akron Northside Station, which the hotelier views as the doorway to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park for its guests. I need to get a picture of CVSR's Akron Northside Station when a train is nearby and passengers are scurrying about. But this is what the setting for Ohio's busiest train station looks like between trains... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 15, 201014 yr KJP!KJP!KJP! Can we just elect you Transportation Emperor? Why, so some jackass can say "I have no clothes?" "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 15, 201014 yr KJP!KJP!KJP! Can we just elect you Transportation Emperor? Why, so some jackass can say "I have no clothes?" You have no clothes!
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