By Eric Berger

Train service on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad was temporarily suspended March 3, due to safety concerns over roadbed erosion at various locations along the 26-mile route through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  The shutdown includes its popular Cleveland Dinner & Events Train and National Park Excursions.

Trains were operating on a reduced basis since a roadbed issue was detected south of the railroad’s Fitzwater Maintenance Yard last October.  A plan to resume full operation March 3 was derailed when newly installed geotechnical soil monitors provided data indicating continuing problems along the former Baltimore & Ohio trackage.

Railroad and park officials offered assurances that the trains will be back once the roadbed is stabilized.

“We are going to do everything we can to allow the train to return to normal operations as soon as possible. We ask for continued patience while we complete construction projects to stabilize the tracks near the river. In the meantime, we appreciate CVSR’s flexibility in adjusting operations,” said Cuyahoga Valley National Park Superintendent Lisa Petit.

“The CVSR team is fully committed to keeping the train running. Our staff and volunteers have successfully overcome numerous obstacles over the past few years. I continue to be amazed at their resourcefulness. I am hopeful that we have a solution soon,” said Joe Mazur, CVSR President and CEO.