Here is a reprint of the CVSR center-spread of...

 

 

All Aboard Ohio's Summer 2010 issue of the Ohio Passenger Rail News

 

http://freepdfhosting.com/28f3340500.pdf

 

 

It has a lot of info and photos of CVSR and what is going on. Feel free to share it with others!

Scenic railroad is engineering a record year

Polar Express, other special events fueling boom in ridership. 2010 attendance of 180,000 expected

 

By Bob Downing

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Monday, Nov 22, 2010

 

Ridership on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is on track for a record year.

 

Through Oct. 31, the popular tourist railroad through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park had recorded 143,561 passengers for the year.

 

That number will surge in coming weeks, as about 32,000 passengers are expected on the Polar Express, the popular holiday-themed trains, from Akron, Canton and Independence into the Cuyahoga Valley.

 

That means the railroad is looking at a new attendance record of about 180,000 passengersin its 38th year.

 

Full story & graphics at: http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/109814494.html

This sidebar article was just as impressive to a capital investment guy like me. Since 1990, CVSR has benefited from $30 million in federal funds. A big reason why CVSR carries more passengers in Ohio than Amtrak is because it gets much more federal capital improvement funding than Amtrak does here in Ohio....

 

Rockside project next on improvement list

By Bob Downing

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Published on Monday, Nov 22, 2010

 

 

...Since 2006, the park service has spent nearly $9 million on capital improvements for the railroad.

 

The list includes $2.1 million to upgrade signals, $1.1 million for improvements at the Rockside Station in Independence (a project that will get under way in January), $437,000 for an excavator-mower, $373,000 for a handicapped-accessible car and $333,456 for a new audio tour available on the trains.

 

About $994,000 is earmarked for replacing a trestle over Sand Run in Northwest Akron. Design work is under way.

 

That $9 million total includes federal stimulus funds funneled through the park. It provided $2.4 million to convert nine miles of jointed rail to smoother-riding welded rail, plus another $440,000 to replace aging ties between the rails.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.ohio.com/news/first/109814579.html

The Polar Express was indeed a hard ticket to land.  First couple dates we wanted to go were all booked up and this was like a month ago...

Just found this. Some terrific wintertime scenes, especially the "pacing and plowing" shots near the end.....

 

I love the shot of the guy who almost get plowed over!  LOL

Enjoyable video. I like the sound of vintage Alco 4-stroke engines. When an Alco is under load it puts out a plume of black smoke that's equal to that of a steam locomotive.

BTW, much has been made (including by me) of the barrier that exists at the Jennings Crossing where CSX/NS freight lines coming down the Big Creek valley cross the CSX-only valley line that CVSR wants to use to reach Steelyard Commons. The thought has been that CVSR will have to build an elevated Jennings Crossing at great expense ($25 million to $50 million). But that may not be the case. CVSR is looking at this technology used by New Jersey Transit for its RiverLINE which uses lightweight equipment that isn't compatible with heavy freight trains. So where the RiverLINE intersects with freight tracks where time separations aren't possible, those crossings are protected by transponders in the RiverLINE trains that interact with these trackside devices that automatically stop the trains if a trackside signal is ignored by the engineer.....

 

 

It's a magnetic inductive automatic train stop device made by General Railway Signal of Rochester, NY. It's a more advanced version of the mechanical automatic train stop devices used on subway systems in New York City, London and elsewhere. So the next steps would be extending the National Heritage Corridor north to downtown Cleveland, having the National Park Service acquire or gain access to CSX right of way, and then plan for and pursue capital improvements to the rail corridor.

Here's another way for CVSR to get into Tower City but without having to cross active freight tracks at-grade at Jennings Crossing or using an active CSX right of way from Jennings Crossing north through Steelyard Commons and traveling across CSX's Cuyahoga River movable bridge. This alternative requires more track construction, but does not intersect at-grade with any freight lines, can share access routes with Amtrak to Tower City, and with a station stop at East 55th would stop in the backyard of the proposed fast-bike Velodrome arena. However it misses much of the Cuyahoga valley, Steelyard Commons whose developer offered to build a CVSR station, and is 1 mile longer than the valley route. You decide which is better....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, comparing the downtown access options.....

 

Looks like we need an alternatives analysis! I imagine the Park Service would prefer to stay in the valley, tho...

If CSX doesn't want to play ball, the NPS can't make them -- and that assumes the NPS even gets the National Heritage Corridor designation extended northward. This option gets around CSX and creates a funding partner with Amtrak by sharing the capital and operating costs of getting back into Tower City.

In theory I support this, but reality teaches me that opening the gates to the gorgeous national park to even more visitation could/would eventually compromise the bio-integrity of this green treasure. I mentioned this way up thread.

 

This may sound callous, but until people learn how to respect such places more, including their own property, (meaning in part not pitching crap on the ground) maybe we should just keep the park secluded. In a perfect world where we would revere such natural treasures the way the characters on Avatar did, or even a fraction of what those characters understood, I see some potential negative invasion into the system if more easy access is given.

 

I truly hope I am wrong, as I actually like the idea of the extension and support it....and I know many of you will disagree with what I am saying, but working in State Parks and around such related environments for many, many years has taught me a big lesson when they're over promoted and given over-easy access to every idiot under the sun. Increased funding won't fix behavior, or lack there-of, even if it is just a few who do so. A few bad apples spoil a bunch as the saying goes.

 

So unless this park, at the same time, prepares itself with a staff team and enforcement system of the park rules and Ohio state laws regarding such...along with educational components of proper stewardship.... (and based on the current models we have which lack due to lack of staffing/resources--and are the first entities to get cut when cuts are made) Well, just ask places like Yosemite or Hawaii what happens. Even if they did prepare, less encroachment is always the best thing for such buffer zones which help keep our air and water cleaner and offer a place of solitude amidst the concrete oceans.

 

And, Ohio is special because we are near the bottom in available public lands like CVNP....yet near the top in visitation, which obviously says something about the demand for such, and that until we set aside more lands...maybe its not a great idea to overstuff them with more and more people.

 

Sadly, state leaders too often, fail to recognize the need for. As one who once walked many trails on a daily basis in many parks for litter clean-ups, one gets a hard core slap of reality about saturation of visiting and making parks too user friendly.

 

Again, I hope I would be wrong, but I doubt it...and I don't mean to be the turd-in-the- punchbowl about this but we need to recognize and be prepared for this sort of thing if we want to preserve the alluring integrity of these places that attract people in the first place. People who respect and cherish them.... and who take pride on our region's natural heritage and why it is so valuable beyond monetary views, will understand where I am coming from. (and actually, keeping them as pristine as possible DOES have money value, but that is another story, another day in itself)

 

I know intrinsically, this extension can be a good thing, but some of this I point out is just the annoying inconvenient truths.  I would just hate to see our gems end up looking not-so-nice once you get there...and are not quite as nice looking as they were in photos. We should strive to make it the other way around.

 

 

By the way, I posted this thought not to start some "I'm right...you are wrong pissing match" I posted it merely to offer a point of view that often gets neglected, but nonetheless is important to consider so I would appreciate respect to it without condescending/nasty remarks or those that get personal. Nothing I wrote is personal, all rhetorical, so I appreciate the same.

My point of view is that trains have been a part of the valley since 1880 and the valley has remained largely unspoiled. Cars in larger numbers are new to the valley, and are the threat to the valley. I believe National Parks exist to balance protection of a natural resource while also allowing Americans to enjoy that natural resource. Limiting capacity for more cars in the Cuyahoga Valley is one way to protect this natural resource. Expanding rail access is one way to allow Americans to enjoy it as they have since 1880.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park News Release

For Immediate Release – Monday, January 3, 2011

Mary Pat Doorley, (440) 546-5995, cell (440) 343-7355, or

[email protected]

 

                 

Volunteers Needed for Train Programs

 

Brecksville, Ohio – The National Park Service is seeking enthusiastic

 

volunteers interested in sharing the wonders of Cuyahoga Valley National

 

Park (CVNP) with riders aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR).

 

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 CVNP. 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 children 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

      children 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 330-657-2752 or 800-445-9667.

Construction closes Rockside train station

CantonRep.com staff report

Posted Jan 05, 2011 @ 12:11 PM

   

Beginning Saturday and until early summer, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) Rockside Boarding Station in Independence will be closed for construction.

 

CVSR temporarily will relocate operations from Rockside Station to Canal Visitor Center and Brecksville Station for regular excursions and to Brecksville Station for special events and school groups. The construction will include the expansion of the boarding station and parking lot to better serve the visiting public.

 

 

Read more at:

http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x1599393987/Construction-closes-Rockside-train-station

Awesome. The project is in the PD's circulation area, yet the Akron and Canton papers -- and not the PD -- have reported on this project. I guess if it doesn't run on rubber tires and pavement, or burn a shitload of oil, it ain't worth mentioning.

Yeah.  God forbid the PD should acknowledge that demand for train travel on a local scenic railroad is rising so much that more parking and better infrastructure is needed. But then they'd probably send Brent Larkin to report on it as a "boondoggle" and the incoming Governor would declare it "dead". :roll:

 

Seriously, this is great news for the CVSR.  :clap:

Some folks still don't realize the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs year-round. From November to May, it runs two trains in each direction on Saturdays and Sundays between Rockside in Independence to the Akron Northside station. Since January however, the Rockside station has been closed while nearly $1 million worth of improvements are made to it. So the northernmost station is the Canal Visitors Center on Hillside Road, about 1 mile south of Rockside.

 

Here are some photos from this past weekend in Peninsula when a 9-car train pulled into the station. Apparently many people do know the trains run year-round, as every car on the train had a decent crowd aboard. At the end are a couple of pictures of the Rockside station construction work in progress.

 

 

Waiting for a northbound train in Peninsula....

 

 

 

Here comes one of two northbound trains that day, led by a reconditioned FL9 that used to haul trains in and out of Grand Central Terminal in New York City powered by electricity from a third rail or by diesel. Note the new crossing at State Route 303. There are always lots of new track, infrastructure and other capital improvement projects happening along the CVSR....

 

 

 

CVSR/National Park Service is also replacing the remaining sections of jointed rail with continuous welded rail....

 

 

 

Passing a set-out car at Peninsula....

 

 

 

Lots of kids and smiles on that train!....

 

 

 

And a few getting on/off at Peninsula, one of the most charming towns in Ohio, and with some of the best passenger rail service in Ohio....

 

 

 

Getting ready to depart....

 

 

 

A B&O Alco PA locomotive bringing up the rear as the train heads north out of Peninsula....

 

 

 

When the construction is done, the trains will end up here at Rockside Road in Independence. Someday soon, these trains could arrive at a station in the basement of the Phase II Horsehoe Casino in downtown Cleveland. For now this is the northernmost station. You can see workers laboring in the background to expand the parking area....

 

 

 

If you couldn't see them in that last photo, here's a zoom view....

 

 

 

Thanks for riding with CVSR today. Stop back next weekend. You can buy tickets online or on the train, including an all-day pass or a Bike Aboard one-way ticket at www.cvsr.com

Cross-posted from the CAC commuter rail thread.... The bridge to be replaced for $625,000 is a short span over the Little Cuyahoga River, next to Market Street in the old Goodyear complex area in East Akron. It's a small deck maybe 5-10 feet above the stream. An Akron Metro RTA representative said the bridge could last until 2013 before it needs to be replaced, but the agency will replace it after CVSR's Canton trains stop running for the season Nov. 1.

 

BTW, I drove down to the Akron All Aboard Ohio meeting last night via the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and could see the $2.8 million worth of work being done by NPS to lay new welded rail and install new crossties and road crossing surfaces from Akron northward to Peninsula. The sections that have been completed were straight, level and well-tamped. The track looked smooth enough to allow a passenger train to cruise at 60 mph.

 

From a railroad design perspective, the track is now a work of art. It may be in its best condition in the rail line's 130-year history -- or at least since its earliest years.

I sure hope All Aboard Ohio is being active with Gilbert and other City officials about getting space reserved in the Tower City/casino development for a CVSR right-of-way and terminal and not simply hope that he/they do the right thing.

Is that a challenge or a question?

Here's an article in the Scene.  Apparently a certain someone was interviewed by Scene about the event in Akron..

 

Improved Rail Service in NEO Could Happpen, But Not Soon

 

When millions of dollars in federal money earmarked for Ohio inter-city rail fell apart last year, the dreams of train-loving commuters looked dead on the tracks. Now a new plan has emerged that could lead to rail service between Akron and Cleveland someday.

 

According to transportation planners and rail advocates, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad line — best known as a pleasant recreational outing and not a very good way to actually get anywhere — has the potential to be used for regular commuter service.

 

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2011/05/10/improved-rail-service-in-neo-could-happpen-but-not-soon

 

I'm guessing the quote of not looking at "transportation options anytime soon" meant exclusively expanding rail to downtown Cleveland.    It kind of feels even though they keep improving the rail system, they aren't expanding their rail options in Summit or Stark anytime soon either.  I'm half thinking if they were worried about funding issues they could put a proposal on the ballot.  I feel its a fairly progressive county that would vote for something that is well thought out and logical.  That's what ballot proposals should be for.  Perhaps a half cent sales tax increase for 3-4 years for 6 built multi modal stations and 2-3 trainsets in Summit County: CAK airport, Goodyear campus, merriman valley, cuy. falls, hudson, maybe a south arlington or even a stop in Belden Village south of the airport.  The track is there fairly unused.  Synching up the various bus routes that are on the routes in these various areas would make this a home run. 

I'm guessing the quote of not looking at "transportation options anytime soon" meant exclusively expanding rail to downtown Cleveland.   

 

I only took it to mean the Tower City expansion, which is probably a realistic opinion, but awfully discouraging nonetheless.

I sure hope All Aboard Ohio is being active with Gilbert and other City officials about getting space reserved in the Tower City/casino development for a CVSR right-of-way and terminal and not simply hope that he/they do the right thing.

 

All Aboard Ohio always needs help.  Are you volunteering to help with this? 

PRESS RELEASE

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

PO Box 158, Peninsula, OH 44264

(800)468-4070  / www.CVSR.com

Fax: (330) 657-2080

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Friday, June 17, 2011

Contact: Kelly Steele, Director of Marketing

(330) 657-1915  / Cell: (330) 201-1736

[email protected]

 

    “These Wheels Must Turn” Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Embarks On

              Campaign to Cover Rising Fuel Costs for 2011

 

Peninsula, OH – Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR)  has announced a

campaign to start June 15, 2011 to help the 501c3, not-for-profit

organization cover the rising diesel fuel costs being faced this season.  “

These Wheels Must Turn –with your help, we can keep chugging along” will

add nominal fees as a fuel surcharge to the railroad’s ticket prices for

daily scenic trains, the Bike Aboard! program and special events.

 

“We as a community organization have exhausted every effort to conserve

fuel and not have to turn additional costs over to our passengers.

However, now facing at least a $300,000 deficit in our 2011 budget with the

rising diesel fuel costs, we have no choice but to add a few dollars to the

ticket fees so that Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad can continue providing

the extensive service we do in Cuyahoga, Summit and Stark counties,”

explains Steve Wait, President and CEO.

 

CVSR has not increased base ticket prices for the daily scenic excursions

or Bike Aboard! in 5 years.  The fuel surcharges that will be added are: $2

to the Adult Scenic Excursion ticket, $1 to the $2 Bike Aboard! Ticket and

$3 for special events and charters.

 

“Should the fuel prices come back down, we will gladly take the surcharge

off,” assures Wait.

 

CVSR is in its 39th year of providing passenger rail service through

Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Ohio & Erie Canalway.

Scenic Excursion Trains operate Wednesday through Sunday,  June through

October and weekends November to May.  The National Park Scenic allows

passengers to travel through Cuyahoga Valley National Park during a three

hour round.  Passengers can choose to stay on board, or hop off to visit

attractions, shops, and venues in Peninsula, Akron or Canton.

 

Bike Aboard! allows bicyclists to bike the Towpath Trail in one direction,

then flag the train down and ride the rail back to where they started now

for just $3.  Special events offered by CVSR include wine-tasting

excursions, Steam in the Valley, Murder Mysteries, The Polar Express™ and

more.

 

For more information, please visit www.CVSR.com.

Railroad cancels some service, but not Canton to Akron 

By Lori Monsewicz

CantonRep.com staff writer

Posted Jun 23, 2011 @ 08:14 AM

   

ALLIANCE — Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is canceling all train services in Cuyahoga Valley National Park starting today, until further notice. The train will continue to provide service from Canton to Akron.

 

The cancellation is due to the construction of track work on the Valley Railway, which is causing excessive delays in the train schedule, negatively affecting visitor services.

 

Read more at: http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x539092490/Railroad-cancels-some-service-but-not-Canton-to-Akron

They had cancelled all trains north of Akron yesterday too. The reason cited by a CVSR representative at the station I visited was that the excessive heat had caused sun/heat kinks in the rails. The ironic thing is that the National Park Service just installed 9 miles of continuous welded rails this past winter and spring. While CWR incurs less maintenance costs and a smoother ride than bolted stick rail (also caused jointed rail), it can be vulnerable to sun/heat kinks when there aren't sufficient expansion joints (such as every thousand feet or so).

 

But there was a sign at the station that train service would be halted today due to construction. But I don't think yesterday's cancellation was planned.

Any news on the restoration of service north of Peninsula?  When they first cancelled, they were hoping for Aug 1, which is today.  How is the Rockside Station construction coming?

 

Found this on CVSR's website today.  Looks like  as of today the train is operating between Brecksville and Akron.  I know CVSR is primarily an all-volunteer organization, but they need to issue a press release:

 

Departures starting August 3rd will be out of Brecksville and travel to Akron!

Brecksville Station: 9:20 am, 1:05 pm, 4:25 pm

Peninsula Depot:  9:40 am, 1:20 pm and 4:45 pm

Akron Northside: 10:40 am and 2:25 pm

 

All Aboard Ohio has issued a press release.....

 

Ohio's busiest passenger railroad service, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, is steadily returning to its normal operating schedule. As of Aug. 3, trains once again began originating from the Brecksville depot on Station Road, off Riverview Road and State Route 82. Soggy weather last spring delayed replacing aging, high-maintenance jointed rails with smooth, seamless welded rails. The work is being done by National Park Service-hired contractors. The NPS owns the tracks north of Akron, and Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority owns the tracks south of Akron. For much of the summer, six trains per day (Wed-Sun) operated normally between Peninsula, four trains per day (Wed-Sun) between Akron and Canton.

 

Here are the post-Aug. 3 southbound departures:

 

Brecksville Station: 9:20 am, 1:05 pm, 4:25 pm

Peninsula Depot:  9:40 am, 1:20 pm and 4:45 pm

Akron Northside: 10:40 am and 2:25 pm

 

For schedule details, see:

http://www.cvsr.com/TrainSchedule.aspx

You can also PURCHASE tickets and day passes online.

 

Consider taking CVSR to the Pro Football Hall of Fame events in Canton on Saturday where CVSR passengers can ride the 801 downtown loop bus for free: http://www.sartaonline.com/801.html

 

There is also connecting bus service that is free for CVSR passengers visiting Downtown Akron destinations:

http://www.akronmetro.org/SharedFiles/Download.aspx?pageid=76&fileid=239&mid=118

 

All Aboard Ohio understands that service north of Brecksville to the Rockside station in Independence will be restored as soon as the $1 million construction of the expanded Rockside Station is completed. For more information, contact CVSR at 800-468-4070.

 

Akron-Peninsula service had resumed July 13 after being suspended June 23 due to a program to rebuild the NPS-owned tracks. The $3.35 million project includes laying nine miles of welded rail, installing new crossties, putting down new ballast and rebuilding the crossing with Ohio Route 303.

 

In 2010, CVSR carried 189,000 riders, compared to the 147,000 passengers who got on/off Amtrak trains at Ohio stations in 2010 (although about 750,000 people traveled through Ohio on Amtrak trains last year but did not get on/off in Ohio). Although Cleveland-area rail rapid transit services typically carry about 7 million people per year, it is not a railroad service.

 

Ken Prendergast

Executive Director

All Aboard Ohio

12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505

Cleveland, OH 44107

(216) 288-4883

[email protected]

www.allaboardohio.org

Well done. Thanks, KJP.

 

 

 

CVSR has restored full service all the way to the north end of the line as the expansion of the Rockside station in Independence has FINALLY been completed.

 

The Akron-Canton trains ended their season Aug. 28.

 

Schedule details are here:

http://www.cvsr.com/PlanYourVisit.aspx

I posted a series of photos of three newly rebuilt/relocated/expanded Cleveland train stations which opened this year at:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,26251.msg576090.html#new

 

Among those stations is the newly expanded Rockside station.....

 

 

 

Outstanding!  Might finally get to do the full trail from Akron to Rockside this weekend and Bike Aboard home; did that twice last summer but haven't gotten to do it yet this year.  Hopefully the weather this weekend cooperates.

When the weather is nice and warm, train time at Rockside Road station in Independence, OH is almost always a busy time! Earlier this evening I paid a visit to the station to capture the scene. To view it, go the Ohio Photos section....

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,26409.0.html

 

 

Here's a few scenes......

 

 

 

Cross-posted from the Cleveland-Akron-Canton commuter rail thread. Good news from the FTA.......

 

http://fta.dot.gov/documents/FY11_Discretionary_Programs_Combined_by_State.pdf

 

Akron (METRO Regional Transit Authority)

Project:  Akron North-South Corridor Alternatives Analysis

Grant Amount:  $270,000

 

The study seeks to provide public transit service to an under-served area where it is difficult to provide bus service due to uneven terrain and roadway connectivity issues.  The study area includes an eight-mile railway corridor of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad extending from Merriman Valley through downtown Akron and on to south Akron.  In addition to the railway corridor itself, the primary study area would also include the area within approximately a half mile distance of the corridor on both sides.  Further, important roadway or bus transit services that intersect with, or connect, to the railway corridor would be included in a secondary study area.  The study would evaluate the potential for transit options to expand transportation choices, improve transit connections, and provide job access between three distinct districts within the city of Akron: Merriman Valley, downtown Akron, and south Akron

 

To be cross-posted to the Akron-Canton Random Development thread as well:

 

http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/news_releases/Display.asp?RecNum=467

 

The City of Akron proposes to construct a pedestrian/bicycle trail connecting the Ohio and Erie Canal towpath trail to the Northside Train Station. The trail will start at the Beech Street Trail Head and connect to the train station on Ridge Street. The trail will span Howard Street utilizing a pedestrian bridge.

 

Proposed Improvements: The planned bikeway will be a 10 foot wide ADA accessible asphalt trail with 2 foot wide shoulders meeting the widths established on other Akron area trail sections. The asphalt trail will be placed on a 304 limestone base. The pedestrian bridge will be a through truss prefabricated steel bridge similar to other towpath trail bridges in Akron. Appropriate trail signage, pavement markings, and transition areas will be included along the length of this trail.

 

==============

 

This project is an excellent idea.  Despite being one of the busiest stops (if not the busiest) along the CVSR route, the Akron Northside station is the only one I know (besides the less-used Canton station) that is not connected directly to the Towpath.  The distance between the two is not massive, but it is currently a very inconvenient stretch to cross (requiring one to go either up and then down, or down and then up, a fairly steep hill from the point closest as the crow flies from the Towpath to the station).  Experienced cyclists used to riding on roads with traffic and who are in good enough physical shape that hills are not serious obstacles won't be deterred, but beginning cyclists, families with younger children, and some older cyclists probably find it a bit much.  Many pedestrians likely feel likewise.

This is truly a loss.  Steve Wait was the President of the Wheeling & Lake Erie prior to joining the CVSR and he successfully brought a professional railroader's perspective with him, making an already good rail tourism operation much better and growing ridership. He will be greatly missed.

 

 

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

PO Box 158

Peninsula, OH 44264

800.468.4070  Fax: 330.657.2080

www.CVSR.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Thursday, November 17, 2011

Contact:

Kelly Steele-Moore:  Director of Marketing

(330) 657-1915  /  [email protected]

 

 

 

Steven Wait to Retire as President and CEO of Cuyahoga Valley Scenic

                                Railroad

 

Peninsula, OH. – Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s president and CEO, Steven Wait,  has announced his intention to retire in April 2012.  Wait, 59 years old, had led the Scenic Railroad since November, 2006.

 

During his tenure with CVSR, Wait expanded the visibility of the organization, increased ridership levels over 70 percent and stabilized its financial condition.

 

Board of trustees chairman George Snider said, “Steve has helped CVSR become one of America’s largest and most respected excursion railroads.

The Board plans to conduct a nationwide search for his successor.”

 

Senior- level executives interested in applying for the position can submit their resume to [email protected].

 

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad provides transportation to and within Cuyahoga Valley National Park under a joint operating agreement.  Park Superintendent Stan Austin commented:  “Steve Wait's vision and commitment to improving visitor safety, accessibility and responsiveness to customer needs has enabled the National Park Service to provide improved services to the public. His collaborative and cooperative spirit has benefited us all.

We are saddened by Steve's resignation but know that we have a partner for life as a park steward and a friend"

 

 

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 along the historic Ohio & Erie Canalway.  Scenic train excursions are offered twelve months of the year, along with a variety of special events, including The Polar Express™, Day Out With Thomas™, wine-tasting and beer tasting excursions, Bike Aboard!, and more.

 

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 (330) 657-2752.

 

                                    ##

Steve Wait has turned CVSR into something truly special and one of the nation's most heavily used scenic railroads. He has gotten good community, corporate and National Park Service support. I think the NPS-owned rail infrastructure is in the best condition its been in possibly since the line was built in the 1880s. It has even caused spin-off developments around some of its busier stations like Akron Northside and Peninsula. The equipment is in pretty good shape and its reputation in the community is at an all-time.

 

Admittedly CVSR has some challenges, including:

 

+ on-time performance of its trains being hurt by cumbersome loading-unloading practices that were institutionalized when CVSR didn't carry so many passengers.

+ the lack of through rail service or a dedicated bus connection to downtown Cleveland.

+ some of its equipment is aging and needs replacement.

+ the Canton line (owned by Akron Metro RTA) is decaying and CVSR is its biggest customer. There are no freight customers on that line south of US224.

 

Also, CVSR board member Rich Enty had to leave their board Nov. 8 as he was named Akron Metro RTA's new Planning Director where he will oversee the bus system planning, as well as commuter rail planning for which Metro just got $270,000 in federal funding. He previously oversaw Rapid transit, bus and commuter rail planning at GCRTA. He's a good guy and a good friend. I'm sure he'll do great at Akron Metro RTA.

Well the study that looks at using Akron rail for METRO's use will be a little more than $330k with matching local funds involved.  The packet for December is out now on AMATS website.  Here is what it says for those that don't wish to download the pdf from the site:

 

METRO requests the addition of $270,000 in FTA Section 5339 Alternatives Analysis

Program funds to FY 2012 of the TIP in order study rail public transportation in the City

of Akron. The total project cost $337,500, with METRO contributing $67,500 in local

funds.

The study seeks to plan for the provision of public transit service via rail service in the

City of Akron. The study area is comprised of an eight-mile railway corridor of the

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad extending from the Merriman Valley through

downtown Akron on to southeast Akron. In addition to the railway corridor, the primary

study area includes a band approximately one half mile distance on either side of the

corridor.

Also mentioned in the packet further down was a potential study to look at using a former rail line,(?) or maybe existing one, through Tallmadge to connect University of Akron and Kent State University..  That was part of a "Connecting Communities" grant and only the highest two highest rated community plans got the grants.  That one was ninth or tenth..  Perhaps because there is currently no rail line being used by METRO so it is isolated, startup costs would likely be prohibitive for just that line running back and forth.  Make it part of a Summit County passenger rail system however and I would expect it probably jumps to the top of the list.

 

 

In addition to the railway corridor, the primary

study area includes a band approximately one half mile distance on either side of the

corridor.

 

 

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?action=post;msg=589725;topic=3566.240#ixzz1f9Z9tIbo

This struck me as odd.  I felt it was meant to figure out how a half mile on either side of the rail corridor would be affected.  Looking at the map, it occurred to me that there are other rail lines that this METRO line could potentially use besides the obvious rail line used by the CVSR that they own.  That led me to ponder whether METRO would use, or be allowed to use, the Northside station at all.  If they were able to cut over to the WL&E(?) near downtown Akron, METRO might be able to set up a separate station next to Luigi's on Northside.  It seems to me that line is lightly used although I think there is traffic late at night on that line..

Christmas came a month later to the passenger railroad Ohioans use most.....

 

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad gets $3.2 million to upgrade trains, facilities

Published: Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 5:25 AM    Updated: Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 7:22 AM

By James Ewinger, The Plain Dealer

 

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad got a $3.2 million grant Tuesday that will underwrite upgrades on the line.

 

The private, nonprofit rail line operates on 51 miles of track between Independence and Canton. Half that right-of-way is owned by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

 

Representatives of the railroad, the national park and the Federal Transit Administration made the announcement at a news conference Tuesday morning at the rail line's Rockside Boarding Station in Independence.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/01/cuyahoga_valley_scenic_railroa_2.html

 

 

 

Excellent!  Just shared this on Facebook, and can't wait to see the new upgrades.

BTW, a cool but unintended consequence of the pedestrian bridge is that it provides a civil pedestrian and bike link to the #35 RTA bus and the Towpath Trail (OK, that part was intended) to downtown Cleveland. It's not perfect as it's a bit of a walk to the bus stop, the bus takes an hour to get downtown, and the trail isn't yet finished all the way into downtown. But it's better than climbing up a grassy hillside and over a guardrail to Rockside Road, then over to the #35 bus stop!

A good friend of mine in regular contact with CVSR leaders for business reasons, told me that she learned that CVSR hopes to have service to Tower City Center within the next five years.

A good friend of mine in regular contact with CVSR leaders for business reasons, told me that she learned that CVSR hopes to have service to Tower City Center within the next five years.

 

Oh heck yeah. And perfect timing for the possibility that Dan Gilbert can work Phase II in concert with CVSR.

A good friend of mine in regular contact with CVSR leaders for business reasons, told me that she learned that CVSR hopes to have service to Tower City Center within the next five years.

 

Then can you tell me why they removed all mentions of it from their strategic plan? And they directed me to stop pursuing it on their behalf? And to delete any reference to it in marketing materials I've designed for them?

 

The National Park Service is cutting back CVSR's operating subsidy and is under some pressure to no longer seek such large capital improvement grants for CVSR. This last round of $3.2 million in grants for CVSR may be their last big money for a while. And they need roughly $20 million to improve the rail infrastructure to get downtown.

 

Sorry to burst your bubble. Maybe something has changed in the last few months. Can you find out more information?

^just out of curiosity... the NPS is under whose pressure to not seek such large capital improvement grants? 

 

^just out of curiosity... the NPS is under whose pressure to not seek such large capital improvement grants? 

 

 

My understanding is that other stakeholders within the CVNP and at other national parks want their share. CVSR's federal funding has come from the Federal Transit Administration's Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in the Parks program, which can be used for more than just bus and rail projects. It can also be used for trails, and there appears to be a larger constituency for the Towpath Trail than there is for CVSR -- notably for the trail's extension to downtown.

Posts involving the Route 82 bridge bomb plot were moved to the thread in the current events section......

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,27284.msg617308.html#msg617308