Four decades ago, a group of train lovers struck a deal to start passenger rail service between the Cleveland Zoo and Hale Farm & Village. Today, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad stretches from Independence to Canton and chugs through the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. A party on Sept. 8 will celebrate the 40th anniversary and all the noteworthy stops along the way.
1972 | The Cuyahoga Valley Preservation & Scenic Railway Association is incorporated as a nonprofit.
1974 | President Gerald Ford signs a bill establishing the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area. "It becomes the foundation for how this railroad emerges," says Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad president and CEO Craig Tallman.
1977 | The rail line changes its northern terminus from the Cleveland Zoo to Rockside Road in Independence and extends service south to Akron.
1987 | The National Park Service purchases the Independence to Akron track from CSX, which operated freight trains on the line until 1985. "It creates an infrastructure for having an alternative transportation means to bring people into the park," Tallman says. "In partnership with the National Park Service, that's what our mission is at that point."
1994 | The Cuyahoga Valley Line changes its name to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The first Polar Express event runs for just three nights. "The train at that time is becoming an attraction not only for people to engage the park, but for events," Tallman says. The perennial sellout, holiday-season event now attracts 36,000 passengers over more than 30 nights.
1998 | The first Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine is held. Also, the first train station is built at Indigo Lake. Overall ridership for the year is 92,348.
2001 | The Rockside, Canal Visitor Center, Brecksville, Boston Mills, Botzum and Akron Northside stations are completed. Ridership grows to 113,702.
2007 | The Bike Aboard! program attracts 5,849 riders in its first year. The program, which allows bicyclists to hop a ride on the train for $2, grows in its second year to 18,252 passengers.
2010 | Ridership hits 189,440, the highest in the rail line's history. That number is expected to top 200,000 in 2012. "We are seeing high engagement and explosive growth," Tallman says.
