Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to resume operation May 1
Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad will resume operation May 1 with National Park Scenic rides operating through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Trains will operate three days a week (Friday through Sunday) in May and five days a week (Wednesday through Sunday) beginning in June. “We look forward to welcoming our guests and volunteers back on the train,” said CVSR President and CEO Joe Mazur. “We have an exciting season planned that includes the debut of The Cleveland Dinner and Event Train and the Explorer program.” The Dinner and Event Train, operating on Friday nights beginning May 7 through October, offers Dinner on the Train each week, as well as a variety of special events including murder mystery trips, beer tastings, and wine tastings. The Explorer program expands the railroad’s Bike Aboard program, allowing a season or one-time pass to ride the train then bike, kayak, hike or otherwise explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It will be offered on the same days and times as the National Park Scenic trips. Trains will operate under strict safety protocols for the foreseeable future including mask wearing, operating at no more than 50% capacity, and other COVID-19 measures. Tickets go on sale to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic members on March 23 and to the general public on March 26, and can only be purchased online at the railroad website or by calling customer service at (330) 439-5708.
Museum seeks funds to preserve first steam locomotive built in Western Canada
An effort is underway to preserve the first steam locomotive built in Western Canada and protect it with a permanent structure. Global News reports the Save 2747 Committee is seeking funds to preserve Canadian National Class N-5-c Consolidation No. 2747, built in 1926 at the railroad’s Transcona, Manitoba, shops. The locomotive, retired in 1960, has long been on display in Transcona but needs restoration and preservation. Peter Martin, co-chair of the Save 2747 Committee, said a recent assessment said the locomotive would survive less than 10 years without preservation work. Restoration work last year will provide more time, but a structure around the locomotive would provide a permanent solution. More information on the locomotive and fundraising is available at the Transcona Museum website.
Strasburg Rail Road holds Saturday event to raise funds for local fire department
The Strasburg Rail Road will hold its first Community Give-Back Day of the year this Saturday, March 20, hosting a fundraiser for the Strasburg Fire Company. The railroad will donate half of all proceeds from Saturday’s passenger trains to the fire company, and is also collecting straight donations. More information and a link to donate are available on the events page at the railroad website.
