Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad celebrates 50 years of chugging down the line
The little railroad that could marks its 50th anniversary this year.
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) plans a number of special events to mark the milestone.
The scenic railroad traces its founding back to 1972 when Siegfried Buerling, who was also integral in the creation of Hale Farm & Village, cajoled to create a rail system that would use the former tracks of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad through what would become the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
It started small, but over the years its collection of passenger rail cars and engines grew. Now it offers rides to some 170,000 passengers a year.
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"We’re excited to celebrate this momentous anniversary,” CVSR President and CEO Joe Mazur said in a prepared statement. “The railroad started from a vision to bring passengers from the Cleveland Zoo to Hale Farm. In the past 50 years, the organization has continued to evolve. We now transport passengers from Greater Cleveland to Downtown Akron and in-between with eight stations and 26 miles of tracks.”
Events planned
The special anniversary events will kick off in May with the Steam in the Valley excursions as the historic steam locomotive No. 765 arrives for trips through the park.
The steam engine that was restored by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, which also is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, typically visits in the fall.
The excursions will run May 13 to 15 and 20 to 22. for more information or tickets, visit www.cvsr.org/.
The railroad also will host its Preservation for Generations fundraising event at the Fitzwater Trainyard on Sept. 10.
Founder remembered
In addition, there will be a special exhibit this year at Hale Farm & Village marking Buerling's contributions to the historic site in Bath and the creation of the railroad. Buerling died last year at age 89.
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The exhibit is set to open June 1.
Buerling argued the railroad was needed not only to preserve the chance for future generations to experience rail travel, but to provide a unique perspective of the beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley and a chance to hop off and enjoy Hale Farm not far from the rail line.
"Because of our strong partnership with CVSR, visitors have a unique option that we could not provide on our own — to leave their cars behind and experience CVNP using alternative transportation,” said Lisa Petit, CVNP superintendent, in a statement.
Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad turns 50 this year
