The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad said today (Nov. 18) it would cancel its remaining Polar Express excursions this year due to increasing COVID-19 cases in Northeast Ohio.
The cancellation takes effect for all trips scheduled between Nov. 19 and Dec. 20.
Passengers who held tickets for the canceled trains will receive refunds although the railroad also is asking for donations to its annual fundraising campaign in order to offset the financial losses incurred from canceling Polar Express trains.
A CVSR news release noted that the Polar Express is the railroad’s largest fundraiser.
It also said those holding tickets could opt to receive CVSR gifts cars in lieu of a cash refund.
It is the second time this year the CVSR has suspended service due to the Pandemic.
In March the CVSR suspended operations in the early weeks of the pandemic and didn’t resume running until Oct. 1.
In a statement, CVSR President Joe Mazur said the Polar Express cancellations were prompted by a concern for the health and well being of CVSR passengers, personnel and the community.
Polar Express trips had begun on Nov. 6. In normal years, the CVSR shuts down for about a month once the Polar Express trips have ended.
It is unclear when it will resume operations or on what scale. In the past, the National Park Scenic resumed operating on weekends in mid to late January.
Tags: COVID-19 pandemic, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, CVSR Polar Express trains, Polar Express trains, The Polar Express
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