From a news release issued by the National Park Service:
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Welcomes Historic Steam Engine to Cuyahoga Valley National Park During First Two Weekends of September
Peninsula, Ohio – Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) announces its 2014 Steam in the Valley events on September 6 - 7 and 13 - 14, featuring the largest steam locomotive east of the Mississippi and authentic Nickel Plate Road open window
passenger cars.
CVSR will again be welcoming the historic steam engine – The Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 Berkshire No. 765 – from Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. This locomotive is a high-stepping, fourteen wheeled magnificent machine that stands 15 feet tall, weighs 404 tons and goes over 60 miles per hour. It has been restored to the way it looked and sounded when it was built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1944. This engine is the largest operating steam locomotive east of the Mississippi.
Passengers will also have the rare opportunity to ride in authentic Nickel Plate Road open window passenger cars. CVSR has arranged to use coach cars #62 & #90 from the Midwest Railway Preservation Society for this event. Built in the 1930s, both of these passenger cars have been maintained to their original open window configuration, which creates a unique chance to experience the sound and smell of a large steam locomotive at work! Movie buffs may also recognize these historic cars from the 1984 movie “The Natural”, where they co-starred alongside actor Robert Redford.
Two-hour excursions with photo run-bys are available from Brecksville Station on September 6 and 7 and from Akron Northside Station on September 13. One-hour excursions with photo run-bys are offered from Boston Mill Station on September 14. Tickets are $18 - $53 depending on trip length and level of seating. Visit www.CVSR.com or call (800) 468-4070 to purchase tickets and for more information. CVSR will also be running its regularly-scheduled National Park Scenic excursion trains and Bike Aboard! during Steam in the Valley.
About Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) is a private sector, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer supported organization operating in partnership with Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) and is dedicated to the preservation of passenger rail transportation in Cuyahoga Valley and the historic Ohio & Erie Canalway. CVSR has been providing excursion rail service for 42 years. For more information about the railroad, visit www.cvsr.com.
Enjoy! Mike A.
