Sunday Photo Fun 9/18/6

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Have fun

Jim

[rtraincollector]

Looking great Jim

[Northwoods Flyer]

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[Penny Trains]

I took time out for some real fun yesterday!

Fort Wayne Historical Society brings big Berk 765, in tribute to sister 767 to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway.  We ran from the Rockside station all the way to Akron and back in 3 hours counting a photo run at Boston Mills.  There were 3 trips yesterday and the above photos show the train backing down to take on water after deboarding the morning run passengers.

The train was primarily stainless steel commuter coaches.

However there were 2 open window NKP heavyweights behind the tool car.

There was another coach between the dome and my car but even with the closed windows we could hear the whistle quite well.

It was a rainy day and my pics from the photo runs are a little dark.  In fact, my best shots came as the train was backing up.

There are only a few sidings on the CVSL and most were occupied with parked equipment.  Neither are there any turning facilities.  So outbound from Cleveland to Akron we were stam powered (about 25 miles).  On the return trip, we were diesel powered.

This is CVSR's own Montreal Locomotive Works built ex-Canadian National FPA4 6771.

Over all we had a great time.  The FWRHS had their goods set up at the station which was great because I could buy stuff and leave it in the car before we departed.  On board, the commisary car was operated by the CVSR and they did a fantastic job keeping the line moving.  (Which was 2 cars long by the way!  )

The train was an hour late and it rained here and there, but that's the way things go.  Grumbles from the uninitiated but nothing phased those of us who do this sort of thing all the time.  Interrestingly, this was the first time CVSR tried to run their "normal" day train on the same day they had a steam excursion.  On the way south to Akron we held the main (for what seemed like 5 seconds) while the northbound took the siding and that was that.  Our average speed was maybe 40 but it was hard to gauge in the close clearances of the CVSR.  We made 25 miles in 1 hour at any rate.

If you ever get the chance to take one of these excursions I highly recommend it.  Nothing beats the ear splitting blast of a Berk doing it's best to outpace a sports car on a quarter mile photo run!