INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — If you had plans to take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) in the next two months, you'll more than likely need to reschedule.
According to the CVSR's website, the trains will be shut down from Friday, March 8 through Thursday, May 2 due to "a comprehensive initiative to upgrade operational tools and refine procedures."
CVSR says those customers who have purchased tickets for rides or onboard events from March 8 through May 2 will be notified of the cancellations and offered a full refund for their purchase.
In a media release, CVSR also cited improvements being made to radio communications, operating management software and onboard camera systems as reasons for the suspension of rides for two months.
"Earlier this week, we received the much-awaited funding and trustee approval to move forward with these enhancements. We understand that the decision to suspend operations will cause disappointment to some of our scheduled passengers, for that we are truly sorry, however, it’s never too soon to make continued improvements when safety is concerned.” said CVSR President/CEO, Joe Mazur.
CVSR says all of the enhancements are aimed at "reinforcing safety and service standards," adding that they will also "elevate the overall travel experience for passengers."
The railroad has been met with numerous challenges over the past few years after shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as from erosion concerns near the path of the tracks.