PENINSULA, Ohio — There is some long-awaited good news for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR).
CVSR is set to resume its National Park Scenic and its Explorer excursions starting on May 5. The trains will run from Akron Northside Station to Peninsula.
“We are so excited for May 5 and to hear the whistle in the Valley again! Staff and volunteers have been working diligently to make this happen," CVSR President and CEO Joe Mazur said in a statement to 3News. "It hasn’t been easy. The logistics of establishing a train maintenance shop in Peninsula has had its challenges, but it will be well worth it when we see the smiles of our guests.”
The CVSR says despite the high cost of installing infrastructure and maintenance facilities to operate out of Peninsula, the cost of tickets will remain the same as last season. They add that because the new route limits kayaking possibilities, the Explorer program will best serve bikers, runners, and hikers and will cost $5.
CVSR's resumption announcement comes amid erosion issues that have plagued the railroad for more than a year.
Most recently, CVSR announced in early March that it would be suspending its train operations and spring activities in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park due to increasing erosion. "Ongoing geotechnical soil monitoring in recent weeks identified increasing erosion along the 26-mile scenic and educational railway in Cuyahoga Valley National Park," CVSR stated in a March 3 release.
Things began to brighten for CVSR on March 27 when an independent engineering firm deemed the tracks "safe for equipment-only (no passenger) crossings." Twelve railcars and three locomotives were safely moved from the Fitzwater Maintenance Yard in Valley View to Peninsula. That success helped pave the way for the resumption of service.
CVSR says there will be plenty of parking in Peninsula at the Lock 9 and overflow parking lots. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is also working to secure additional parking near the station. Ample parking is available at the Akron Northside Station.
Two dome cars will be made available for seating. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) car will be part of the train to accommodate guests in wheelchairs.
CVSR adds that plans are in the works for special events, including the Cleveland Dinner Train, Murder Mystery, and Family Fun Loop activities.
Find out more about the National Park Scenic excursions, including how to purchase tickets by clicking here. Tickets range from $13 to $38 and passengers can board at either the Akron Northside Station or Peninsula for the two-hour trip through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Learn more about the Explorer program here.