A Thursday Afternoon Trip on the CVSR

The National Park Scenic arrives at Rockside Road station

Passing the Silver Solarium at Fitzwater Yard

The Baltimore & Ohio tribute FPA-4 is shown at Fitzwater sporting its original roster number.

Ursula and I had an enjoyable trip on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad on Thursday afternoon.

She had made a pound cake using peaches from a peach tree in our yard and we took a slice of that along with some Gatorade to drink as we waited in our car in the parking lot of the Rockside Road station in Independence.

The northbound National Park Scenic arrived just after 12:30 p.m. It took a while for the incoming passengers to detrain since it was a large group of elderly folks. Still we had plenty of time to board in an orderly fashion.

I had purposely ordered two window seats for us. They were on the side of the train facing west. 

The train departed exactly at 1 p.m. The crew members and the passengers were all very friendly.

Our car host was very enthusiastic but didn’t have a clue of so many things.

When we passed under the Ohio Route 82 bridge in Brecksville a passenger asked what bridge that was. He referred to it as I-271.

The word “Scenic” in the name of the railroad is definitely accurate. The majority of the route is appropriately scenic.

There are other tourist railroads that have scenic in their name and obviously it has no business being named as such.

There are many locations seen from the train that I’ve seen so many times in past years. However, I still enjoy those vistas each time.

When we arrived in Akron I asked the ladies across from us if they would like to swap sides with us for the return trip.

They were both from out of state and thought that was an excellent idea. We happily swapped sides.

The return trip was just as enjoyable and we arrived back at Rockside Road station on time.

I’d like to ride a winter trip someday. I did that once many years ago with my brother and

nephew but I don’t think that train went the entire route.

Article and Photographs by Edward Ribinskas

CVSR Hosting Slate of October Theme Trains

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is offering a variety of theme trains in October, including the return of the Fall Flyer.

The Fall Flyer is a two-hour excursion that will operate on a non-stop schedule to enable passengers to view the fall foliage colors of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The trains will operate every Saturday and Sunday during October and offer upper dome car and luxury seating options.

Tickets range from $25 to $35 per person depending on the class of service selected.

Departures from Rockside Road station in Independence are at 2 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Departures from Akron Northside station on Sundays will be at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Other theme train experiences being offered during October include a series of two-hour Family Fun Loops excursions that have various themes designed to appeal to children.

Tasty Treats will depart Rockside Road station on Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. and from Northside station at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 6.

Passengers will be able to decorate and of course eat cupcakes. Tickets are $25 for those who want to decorate and eat cupcakes and $15 for those who don’t want a cupcake.

Another set of Family Fun Loop trips will feature pumpkin decorating with arts and craft supplies.

Those trains depart Rockside Road on Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. and from Northside station at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 20. Passengers are encouraged to come wearing Halloween costumes.

Tickets are $30 per person for decorators and $20 per person for helpers, who will not receive a pumpkin.

Super Royal Halloween trains will leave on Oct. 13 at 3:30 p.m. from Northside station and Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. from Rockside station.

The trips will feature story telling, singing and a treat with a princess. Onboard will be Warrior Woman, Patriotic Hero, La Princesa, and Amulet Princess.

Tickets are $35 per person and the event is recommended for all ages.

The Family Fun Loops trips will wrap up with A Very Beary Costume Party.

The rides will feature instruction on how to decorate a stuffed animal. All participants will receive a bear and dress it in a costume.

Trains depart on Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. from Rockside Road station and on Oct. 27 at 3:30 p.m. from Northside station.

Tickets are $30 for builders, which includes a stuffed animal, and $20 for helpers.

Also slated for October are night excursions that will depart Rockside Road station at 7:30 p.m. on every Friday of the month.

Recommended for ages 3 and older, these excursions feature a two-hour train ride.

Trivia games will be held onboard led by a host with prizes awarded to the top three teams.

On Wednesdays in October the CVSR will host Read Aboard outings leaving at 9:45 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. from the Peninsula depot.

Recommended for ages 3 and up, children under the age of 2 do not need a ticket but must sit on a parent’s or guardian’s lap.

Tickets range from $8 to $10. Aboard the train during the two-hour ride there will be a story time and craft and activities.

On all of the October theme excursions beverages, snacks and merchandise will be for sale in the concession car.