Erosion Concerns Sidetrack CVSR Again

Erosion issues have once again knocked the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad out of service.

On Friday the CVSR said it has suspended all operation after receiving the results of soil monitoring along its track.

“Ongoing geotechnical soil monitoring in recent weeks identified increasing erosion along the 26-mile scenic and educational railway in Cuyahoga Valley National Park,” the railroad said in a statement.

The tourist railroad had been planning to resume operating its National Park Scenic on March 3 after suspending it last October.

During November and December the CVSR operated some trains between Rockside Road in Independence and the Fitzwater maintenance facility.

Passengers who purchased tickets for cancelled trips may contact the railroad for refunds.

The CVSR’s statement, which also was issued with the National Park Service, hinted that restoration of service may take several weeks.

The statement said officials are hoping to retore operations along the 26-mile former Baltimore & Ohio line by summer. The tracks run alongside the Cuyahoga River for much of that distance.

“We are going to do everything we can to allow the train to return to normal operations as soon as possible,” Cuyahoga Valley National Park Superintendent Lisa Petit said. “We ask for continued patience while we complete construction projects to stabilize the tracks near the river. In the meantime, we appreciate CVSR’s flexibility in adjusting operations.”

Steamtown Buildings Closed Due to Lack of Heat

Some buildings at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania, have been closed due to lack of heat.

The issue was described as due to a mechanical failure of the boiler system that park staff are seeking to address. The National Park Service The park said the building will be closed until heat can be restored.

The closures will not affect Santa Train and North Pole Limited excursion trains, which will operate as scheduled.

Affected buildings include the visitor center, theater, history museum, and technology museum. The roundhouse, railroad yard, and grounds remain open. Also closed is the Electric City Trolley Station and Museum.

Portable restrooms have been brought to the park because there is no public access to heated restrooms or running water.

Erosion Issues Prompt Cancellation of CVSR Fall Flyer and National Park Scenic Trips for Awhile

Erosion issues continue to plaque the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, prompting it to cancel all National Park Scenic and Fall Flyer excursions for this weekend.

In a notice posted on the railroad’s website and its Facebook page, the cancellations were attributed to the National Park Service closing portions of the tracks used by CVSR trains “due to significant erosion from the Cuyahoga River.”

The Cleveland Dinner and Event Train will run as scheduled tonight (Oct. 14). Also still operating this weekend is a special CVSR members-only event.

The CVSR notice said the Park Service regularly inspects the railroad tracks, particularly near the Cuyahoga River.

The statement indicated that the erosion areas are the same as those that last spring shut down the line from about the Columbia Run picnic area north of Boston Mill to Akron.

Park Service officials have hired an engineering firm that is reviewing how to address the area where erosion has been a problem.

CVSR’s statement suggested that train cancellations are might continue beyond this weekend.

“The modifications to operations will remain in place while NPS and CVSR wait for additional information and explore options for returning to normal,” the statement said.

No North Pole Adventure trains, which will begin running Nov. 11, have been cancelled but CVSR said some trips may be modified.

It is the second consecutive weekend in which the CVSR has cancelled trips.

The weekend of Oct. 7-9 saw all Fall Flyer excursions cancelled and some National Park Scenic trips were scrapped on Oct. 7.

Those cancellations were attributed to maintenance issues with CVSR’s motive power fleet.

Earlier this week, the CVSR posted another notice on its Facebook page acknowledging, “the CVSR is a preservation railroad that provides a traditional rail experience through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park; many of our cars were built in the 1940s and 1950s.”

The loss of excursions in October will be a major blow to a tourist railroad that suffered significant revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic when dozens of trips were cancelled.

October is one of the railroad’s busiest months as passengers flock to CVSR trains to see fall foliage.

NKP 765 Won’t See Akron in May

There will be no steam excursions from Akron in May and resumption of Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad service to the city is not expected until July.

The change in operating plans was prompted by erosion of the bank of the Cuyahoga River to within three feet of the tracks north of Boston Mill.

The National Park Service, which owns the tracks, is overseeing a riverbank stabilization program to shore up the bank.

The erosion occurred in early March following heavy rains. Since then CVSR has been operating only from Rockside Road station in Independence.

The steam excursions, to be pulled by former Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765, will now operate out of Rockside Road for all trips.

Trips are scheduled for May 13-15 and 20-22. Schedules have been changed on the CVSR website to reflect the changes.

In a news release, CVSR said it is contacting those who purchased tickets for excursions from Akron’s Northside station.

Those who wish a refund of their fare must notify CVSR by March 29. Otherwise, the CVSR will rebook them on a trip from Rockside Road.

The 765 is owned by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and usually visits the CVSR in the fall.

The CVSR news release said the timeline of work for the riverbank stabilization program is still being worked out.

CVSR Suspends Service to Akron, Peninsula

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has cancelled its National Park Scenic train through May.

In its place, it will offer a replacement, the National Park Flyer, which will operate on Saturdays and Sundays for one-and-a-half hour trips from Rockside Road station in Independence. The Flyer will not operate to Peninsula or Akron.

The schedule change was prompted by erosion of the bank of the Cuyahoga River north of Boston Mill where the tracks run close to the river for a short stretch.

National Park Service officials said last weekend that erosion from recent rains has reached to within a few feet of the tracks used by the CVSR.

The Park Service owns the track, which passes through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Park officials said it will take weeks to complete work to stabilize the river’s banks where the erosion occurred near the Columbia Run picnic area just north of the Boston Mill ski resort.

In an email message distributed on Tuesday morning, the CVSR said the Cleveland Dinner  & Event Train will continue to operate on Fridays. Also still operating are such theme experiences such as Ales on Rails and caboose rides.

Trains depart from Rockside Road station on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. and noon. The dinner and event train departs Rockside Road at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays.

Steamtown Expanding Services

Steamtown National Historic Site is increasing visitor services starting this week when it implements summer hours of operation.

Starting June 26 the park will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The theater will show the 18-minute film Steel and Steam. The film following one man’s railroading career to illustrate the major changes in railroading in the early 20th century.

On July 7 the Steamtown History Museum will reopen, including a Railway Post Office car and an Erie Railroad business car.

Steamtown to Expand Access on July 8

Steamtown National Historic Site will expand public access on July 8. Access had been limited due to a COVID-19 pandemic stay home order issued by the state of Pennsylvania.

The park grounds, roundhouse, steam locomotive cutaway exhibit, and outdoor locomotive and rolling stock static exhibits will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

The park store will be open Wednesday through Sunday. Other exhibits remain closed and train rides are not being offered.

For more information, visit the Steamtown website.

Steamtown Excursions Canceled Through September

Steamtown National Historic Site has cancelled all scheduled excursions through Sept. 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Park Service said the decision reflected the lead time needed to perform maintenance on equipment that could not be completed this spring.

In a statement, the Park Service also said there remain “concerns about the practicality of implementing CDC, state, and local guidelines regarding COVID-19 mitigation.”

Steamtown Cancels Events Through Early July

The Railfest event that had been scheduled at Steamtown National Historic Site has been cancelled .

The event had been set for the weekend of June 13-14 at the park in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Steamtown also has canceled all excursions that were scheduled to operate through July 4.

A news release issued by the National Park Service said the staff will need eight to 12 weeks to meet Federal Railroad Administration regulations for operations once a reopening date is determined.

Tourist Railroads Shut Down, CVNP Trails Still Open

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to a host of closings, including tourist railroads and the Steamtown National Historic Site.

Steamtown said it will be closed until further notice but did provide a link on its website for a virtual visit.

Among the tourist operations that have suspended operations are the Nevada Northern Railway, Durango & Silverton, and the Aurora Winter Train of the Alaska Railroad.

Florida intercity passenger rail service Brightline said it will reduce service but is still offering 18 weekday trains and 14 weekend trains, while maintaining hourly service during commuter rush-hour periods.

Closer to Northeast Ohio, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has suspended operations into April.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park has closed its Boston Mill Visitor Center, but a notice on the park’s website indicates that trails and restrooms remain open.

All park programs scheduled in the coming days have been canceled.

Also closed are operations of the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park including the Trail Mix store in Peninsula, the Hines Hill campus and the Happy Days Lodge.

The closures, which will extend for the next eight weeks, include cultural arts events, performances, lectures and privately hosted events. Operations at the Environmental Education Center and Stanford House are also suspended.