Monday, December 3, 2012

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

As I was wandering through part of the park, I heard the distinctive sound of a train horn.  I knew that there was a train that traveled through the valley, I had to go look for it and I found it.
 The train is owned by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.  The rails themselves are owned by the National Park Service in an effort to preserve the historical relics of the area.  The trains are run by the railroad.  The above is an example of earlier diesel engine.  It was constructed by the Montreal Locomotive Works for the Candian National Railroad.  It is one of many engines owned by the CVRR.
 I think the railroad itself runs from May to November with some limited service in December.
 The railway itself was started in 1880 and was used to support the many industries and agriculture along the Cuyahoga River.  It was primarily used to transport coal from Canton to Cleveland.  After many struggles, it was acquired by the Cleveland Terminal and Valley Railroad in 1894.  The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad bought the company in 1915 and continued passenger service until 1963.  The last freight train ran on this line in 1985.
It's amazing how a little tourist railroad can be a microsm for the rail system in general.  In its story, you see the story of many railroads that have been in the United States.  But I guess that represents progress.

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