Repowering CVSR

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) is taking a major step toward a cleaner future while preserving its past, thanks to a new partnership with Ohio EPA to electrify two historic locomotives operating through Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

After completing a competitive grant process, CVSR secured approximately $2.1 million from Ohio EPA’s Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) and Diesel Mitigation Trust Fund (DMTF) programs as part of a $3.5 million total project. The funding will support the repowering of two 1959 Alco FPA4 locomotives, replacing their diesel engines with modern electric propulsion.

The locomotives serve as primary power for CVSR’s scenic excursions, traveling a 26-mile route between Cuyahoga and Summit counties and carrying thousands of riders each season. Together, the engines currently consume an estimated 12,800 gallons of diesel annually and emit more than 700 tons of carbon dioxide.

“By repowering these historic machines with electric engines, we’re keeping Ohio’s railroad heritage on the tracks while reducing diesel emissions,” said Ohio EPA Director John Logue.

For CVSR, the project ensures these iconic locomotives can continue operating for future generations while aligning with the environmental mission of the national park they serve.

“Repowering our heritage locomotives improves efficiency, supports our mission, and preserves the legacy of railroad travel in Cuyahoga Valley National Park,” said CVSR President and CEO Larry Stevenson.

The project is funded through Ohio’s allocation of the Volkswagen Clean Air Act settlement, part of a statewide effort to reduce nitrogen oxide pollution and improve air quality across Ohio.