masthead_preservation

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Alcos in National Park passenger service

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Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

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cuyahoga_inset typewriter or thousands of years Indians used the Cuyahoga River and Valley in northern Ohio as a north-south transportation corridor. Later the Ohio and Erie Canal provided the early settlers a slow, but easy way to move bulk goods and people. In 1880, the first steam engine chugged its way down the new Valley Railway, signaling an era of progress and prosperity for the Cuyahoga Valley residents. Primarily built to transport coal; from south of Canton to Cleveland's growing industries, the Valley Railway also served the farmers, merchants and factories along its route. Depots piled high with farm produce dotted the valley section of the railroad line.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

cvsx_state egyptian he Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad operates a 51-mile section of former Baltimore & Ohio trackage in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, southeast of Cleveland, Ohio. Original rails in the valley date back prior to 1900, including the Cleveland Terminal & Valley Railroad, but by 1915 the line was owned and operated by the venerable Baltirmore & Ohio lines. Passenger service on the line ended in the early 1960s, and the route was operated in freight service by successor Chessie System until 1985. Founded as a non-profit in 1975, today's Cuyahoga Valley Scenic leases the trackage from the National Park Service to provide seasonal tourist train service up and down the line using a variety of well-maintained first generation Alco power and single-level streamline passenger equipment. Online shops maintain the equipment.

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National Park map / web

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CVSX station map / RWH

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1988 tourist train guide ad / collection

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1998 tourist train guide ad / collection

Motive Power

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Cuyahoga Valley Scenic #1822

Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic #1822

  • builder:Montreal Locomotive Works
  • model:RS18u
  • type:B-B road switcher
  • built:1958, Alco #82460
  • series:351 produced 1956-68
  • engine:Alco 251A (12 cyl, 1800 hp)
  • notes:
  • blt Canadian Pacific #8779
    to Canadian Pacific #1822
    to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic #1822
    rebuilt 1984
  • builder
    cvsx1822b

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    cvsx1822c

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

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    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    cvsx4241_roster

    Cuyahoga Valley Scenic #4241

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    Cuyahoga Valley Scenic #4241

  • builder:Montreal Locomotive Works
  • model:"Century" C-424
  • type:B-B road switcher
  • built:1966, Alco #M3436-09
  • series:92 produced in Canada (1963-67)
  • engine:Alco 251B (16 cyl, 2400 hp)
  • notes:
  • blt Canadian Pacific #4241
    to Quebec Gattineau #4241
    to Buffalo Southern #4141
    to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic #4241
  • builder
    cvsx4241d

    Aug 2013 / RWH

    cvsx4241c

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    cvsx4241e

    Independence, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

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    Alco Century series diagrams / collection

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    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    cvsx4241h

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    cvsx4241b

    Aug 2013 / RWH

    cvsx4241f

    Independence, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    cvsx6771_roster

    Cuyahoga Valley Scenic #6771

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Cuyahoga Valley Scenic #6771

  • builder:American Locomotive Company
  • model:FPA-4
  • type:B-B cab unit
  • built:1959, Alco #83149
  • series:36 produced 1958-59
  • engine:Alco 251B (12 cyl, 1800 hp)
  • notes:
  • blt Canadian National #6771
    to VIA Canada #6771
    to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic #15
    to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic #6771
  • builder
    cvsx6771b

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    ltex1420_roster

    Larry's Truck & Electric #1420

    Boston Mill, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    Larry's Truck & Electric #1420

  • builder:Electro Motive Division
  • model:GP15-1
  • type:B-B light road switcher
  • built:Nov 1979, EMD #787249-59
  • series:310 produced 1976-82
  • engine:EMD 645E (12 cyls, 1500 hp)
  • notes:
  • blt Conrail #1643
    to Norfolk Southern #1420
    to Larry's Truck & Electric #1420
    leased to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic
  • builder
    ltex1420b

    Boston Mill, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    ltex1420c

    Independence, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    ltex1420a

    Independence, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    Rolling Stock

    Power Car #688

    ex Amtrak (1951) / Aug 2013 / RWH

    Baggage #3450

    Aug 2013 / RWH

    Coach #167 "Simon Perkins"

    ex Maryland Department of Transportation / Aug 2013 /RWH

    ex Maryland Dept of Transportation / Aug 2013 /RWH

    Observation "Emerson"

    Aug 2013 / RWH

    Coach #105

    Aug 2013 / RWH

    Coach #169 "Spirit of Summit"

    ex Maryland Dept of Transportation / Aug 2013 / RWH

    Locationstag_locations

    tag_pinPeninsula

    tag_quotes1

    Peninsula, a small town with a river running through it ... a little piece of green nestled quietly between Akron and Cleveland. In Peninsula, we make it easy to enjoy the simpler things in life; a walk through the woods, music on the porches on a sunny fall day, a piece of apple pie at a Farmers' Market. The tiny village on the Buckeye Trail tucked into the hills where the Cuyahoga River bends sharply to form a peninsula, retains much of its nineteenth century charm with its historic architecture, interesting shops full of art and collectibles, and a bike trail where donkeys once pulled canal boats alongside a crooked river. Take a stroll down historic Main Street, take a ride on a train or just sit and watch the world go by.

    Explore Peninsula

    peninsula_overhead

    Peninsula depot area overhead / Google Maps

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    tag_pin

    Click to see the Peninsula depot area plotted on a Google Maps page

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    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    peninsula2

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    peninsula3

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    peninsula4

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    peninsula5

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    peninsula6

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    tag_pinBoston Mill

    Boston Mill, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    tag_pin

    Click to see the Boston Mill depot plotted on a Google Maps page

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    Boston Mill, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

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    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

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    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    tag_pinBrecksville

    Brecksville, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    Brecksville, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    tag_pin

    Click to see the Brecksville depot plotted on a Google Maps page

    brecksville1

    Brecksville, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

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    Brecksville, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

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    Brecksville, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    brecksville4

    Brecksville, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    brecksville5

    Brecksville, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    tag_pinRockside

    Rockside, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

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    Fitzwater Maintenance Yard overhead / Google Maps

    tag_pin

    Click to see this location plotted on a Google Maps page

    Action

    action1

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    action2

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

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    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    action4

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

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    Boston Mill, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

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    Boston Mill, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    action8

    Boston Mill, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    action10

    Aug 2013 / RWH

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    Aug 2013 / RWH

    action12

    Aug 2013 / RWH

    action13a action13b action13c action13d

    Aug 2013 / RWH

    action9

    Aug 2013 / RWH

    tag_closeup Steam in the Valley

    tag_quotes1

    All Aboard Steam Locomotive No. 765

    Experience the magic of the historic Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765 this September at Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, located in Northeast Ohio. During this two and half hour round trip, passengers will have the opportunity to deboard the train at a secure location for an exclusive photo opportunity.

    Experience the sights and sounds as this 400 ton locomotive chugs through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We encourage guests to dress for the occasion in their best 1940s or 1950s look! Coach seating, open air cars, historic luxury first class, and dome observation cars are available.

    Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

    Nickel Plate Road #765

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Nickel Plate Road #765

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Nickel Plate Road #765

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Nickel Plate Road #765

    Brecksville, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Nickel Plate Road #765

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Nickel Plate Road #765

    Sep 2014 / RWH

    Nickel Plate Road #765

    Sep 2014 / RWH

    Nickel Plate Road #765

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Nickel Plate Road #765

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    journal_rwh
    September 2014

    On a rainy, cloudy, fall Saturday, my daughter and I made the trek into Ohio to catch a ride on #765 during one of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's Steam in the Valley events. In every other respect, it was a terrible day for railfanning: cold, wet, and overcast. Even so, I was glad to finally meet the Big Berk after so many years of only seeing her run in videos and pose in pictures. Despite the lousy weather, I detrained at the tiny Boston Mill depot for two photo runbys, then came back to the area again on her second trip and caught two more later in the day. No doubt about it, she is one impressive machine.

    tag_jump

    See also our complete Nickel Plate Road #765 scrapbook in Steam

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    Class Act

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    Watchful Eye

    Peninsula, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    cvsx_lagn3

    Mile Forty Nine

    Aug 2013 / RWH

    Larry in the Shade

    Boston Mill, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    Canadian Class

    Boston Mill, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    Summer Hauler

    Independence, Oh / Aug 2013 / RWH

    cvsx_lagn7

    Follow Me!

    Aug 2013 / RWH

    journal_rwh
    August 2013

    A late summer visit from my father-in-law was a good enough excuse to take the family west, across the Ohio state line, to ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. For as long as I have lived in western Pennsylvania, I've wanted to get over to see the CVSX and their terrific collection of first gen Alco power. The line is pristine and the running is smooth. The family enjoy the sunny scenery while I detrained for the return trip, so that I could chase the movement north. Imagine my surprise when, on the north end of the push-pull movement, I found a Larry's Truck Electric lease unit earning her keep. The Cayahoga Valley is one of those great tourist roads that both railfan and family can enjoy, and the heritage era silver streamliner cars -- especially the dome observation -- are a real treat.

    cvsx_lagn8

    Montreal in the Rain

    Boston Mill, Oh / Sep 2014 / RWH

    Links / Sources

    This page was updated on 2019-06-05