Our Fleet
- Zephyr Trainset
- Edu-Trainment Car
- Lounge and Dining Cars
- Coach Cars
- Locomotives
- Café and Baggage Cars
- ADA Cars
- Additional
Silver Lariat | #4718
Year Built: 1948
Builder: Budd Company
History: Silver Lariat was built in 1948 by the Budd Company for the Burlington Northern Railroad as a dome coach for service on the California Zephyr. A large dining/lounge area seats 42 passengers (36 at tables) and is equipped with a full bar. From this room, passengers can access the Vista Dome above, which provides panoramic views and seating for an additional 24 passengers at tables. A unique feature of this train car is The Pony Express, a restored original mural by Mary Louise Lawser that was commissioned by the Burlington Railroad when the car was built. CVSR acquired the car in September, 2018.
Silver Rapids | #8449
Year Built: 1948
Builder: Budd Company
History: Silver Rapids was built in 1948 by the Budd Company and served as a transcontinental sleeper car that provided coast-to-coast transportation for almost 20 years. The car was removed from the California Zephyr service in the 1960s when most transcontinental sleepers were discontinued, and changed ownership from the Pennsylvania Railroad to Amtrak, which retired it in the early 1980s and sold the car to a private owner. After extensive restoration work that included interior and mechanical upgrades, Silver Rapids is now one of the most versatile sleeper cars in service. The car features eight roomettes that seat two comfortably, and six double bedrooms that open up to form three suites that seat four comfortably. CVSR acquired the car in September, 2018.
Silver Peak | #450
Year Built: 1940
Builder: Budd Company
History: Silver Peak was built in 1940 by the Budd Company for Burlington Northern Railroad and assigned to the Denver‐Ft. Worth Texas Zephyr. Originally built as a coach/dormitory/baggage car, the coach area was used as the Jim Crow section of the train. When the Jim Crow laws were found to be unconstitutional, it was converted to a full baggage car. CVSR acquired the car in September, 2018.
Silver Solarium | #377
Year Built: 1948
Builder: Budd Company
History: Silver Solarium was built in 1948 by the Budd Company for the Chicago, Quincy & Burlington Railroad as CB&Q #377. It was one of the six dome/sleeper/observation cars specifically built for the California Zephyr. Ownership of the car was transferred to Amtrak in 1971 and renumbered it as #9252, after more than 20 years of service between Chicago and San Francisco. Amtrak retired the car in 1978, and sold it to Nav Fosee/Cedar Rail Enterprises/Silver Rail Company in 1985, where it was renumbered back to #377 and restored to its original appearance. Silver Solarium was then sold to Roy Wullich/Rail Journeys West in 2002 where it entered into charter service after it received modern upgrades in 2003. It was then leased to California Zephyr Railcar Charters until 2018. Today, the Silver Solarium has been fully renovated and has been operating as a private car, delighting passengers with stunning views from its Vista Dome and observation lounge. The observation lounge seats 11 in classic railroad lounge chairs, and the Vista Dome car seats 24 in booth seating at tables. CVSR acquired the car in September, 2018.
Silver Bronco | #1105
Year Built: 1948
Builder: Budd Company
History: Built by the Budd Company in 1948 and named the Silver Bronco, Coach #1105 began service on the California Zephyr and Rio Grande Zephyr, operating over the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad from Chicago to Denver, the Western Pacific Railroad from Salt Lake City to Oakland, and later on the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad between Denver and Salt Lake City. Philadelphia architectural firm Harbeson, Hough, Livingston and Larson designed the interior, and the painting on the wall of the back cabin is called Central City by Mary Louise Lawser. The car was originally fitted with a forward section reserved for women and children only. Service was discontinued in 1983 and the Silver Bronco became the property of Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad’s parent company Ansco. In 2006, the Silver Bronco was sold by Ansco into private ownership and sent to San Antonio, becoming the last car built for the California Zephyr to pass into private ownership after spending all of its 58 years with the Rio Grande. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad purchased the car from a private owner in 2011. The car was restored with sponsorship by Emerson Electric, and was renamed the Emerson Dome Car. When the sponsorship ended in 2012, the Silver Bronco took back its original name.
California Zephyr History
On May 26, 1934, the first of the Zephyr train consists—the Burlington Zephyr—set out on a maiden voyage that broke a number of world records in train travel. Among the world’s first trains to be streamlined and constructed of stainless steel, the Burlington Zephyr set the world record for the longest and fastest nonstop railroad run, speeding over 1,000 miles across one‐third of the North American continent in a little less than half the time it would have taken a standard train of that time. The diesel fuel used was just 418 gallons and cost only $16.72, an unbelievably low amount since diesel fuel at the time cost only four cents a gallon (just 6.7% of the cost of a steam train). The trip forever changed the way passenger trains would be built and signaled the end of the steam engine.
In addition to its revolutionary construction and record‐breaking speed, the Burlington Zephyr—renamed the Pioneer Zephyr on its second anniversary—birthed a family of Zephyr trains to be manufactured by the Budd Company over the next 50 years. Among them was the California Zephyr, also known as the Silver Lady, a pioneer in luxury passenger train travel. Dubbed “the most talked about train in America,” the California Zephyr made its inaugural eastbound run on March 20, 1949 with service between San Francisco and Chicago that covered 2,525 miles and took an average of 2.5 days to complete.
The California Zephyr offered sophisticated dining experiences with linens and china; sleeping compartments that ranged from the elegant staterooms complete with bathrooms, showers, drawing rooms, and bedrooms, to the cozier “roomettes”; and Vista Dome cars with windows on every side—including the ceiling—to provide breathtaking panoramic views of the passing mountains, rivers, and countryside.
The California Zephyr operated as a passenger train for 20 years, and its 77 cars were later sold to different companies and private owners. Over the years, the majority of these stainless steel cars have all but disappeared from America’s railways, having been sold off (often to foreign countries), scrapped, or simply left in storage and fallen into complete disrepair. CVSR’s acquisition of the trainset will enable us to preserve a vital piece of our nation’s railway history that was at serious and imminent risk of being forgotten.
Sharon Inn | #8283
Year Built: 1949
Builder: Budd Company
Preserved By The Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation
History: The Sharon Inn was originally built as a 21-roomette sleeper car in January, 1949 by the Budd Company for the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR). In 1963 PRR renumbered the car to 1521 and converted it to a 64-seat coach-12 seat smoker car. In 1968 the car was transferred to Penn Central after the PRR and NYC merged. The car was transferred again to Conrail in 1976 and later sold to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJT) in 1963 and renumbered to 5414. In 1989 the car was sold to Maryland Area Regional Commuter Rail (MARC), where it received #162. MARC also upgraded the cars seating capacity to 80. It was sold in December 2000 to Akron Metropolitan Regional Transit Authority (METRO) and subsequently leased to CVSR. METRO donated the car to CVSR on October 29, 2013.
In 2018, as part of CVSR’s Powering Ahead Capital Campaign, the former coach car underwent renovations to transform it into the Edu-trainment car, a rolling children’s museum. Renovations took more than a year to complete and it made its debut on the rails in late October 2019 on the National Park Scenic excursion. In January, 2020 the car was renumbered back to its original 8283.
The car is preserved by the Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation. Established in 1968, The Foundation was created by Mr. and Mrs. Corbin to help enrich the lives of the people of Akron and Summit County, Ohio. Following his death in 1989, David Corbin left the bulk of his estate to The Foundation.
Cuyahoga Inn Lounge Car | #3126
Year built: 1949
Builder: Budd Company
History: Car #3126 was originally built as a parlour car for the Pennsylvania Railroad. It was rebuilt by Amtrak as a Heritage Lounge Car, then rebuilt again for Montreal service. CVSR acquired the car in 2006. Car #3126 is currently used for special events and excursions.
St. Lucie Sound | #1
Year Built: 1946
Builder: Budd Company
History: The Saint Lucie Sound was originally built in 1946 by the Budd Company for the Florida East Coast Railroad. St Lucie was sold to the Canadian Tower Limited in 1986 where it was refurbished. CVSR acquired the car from the Haslinger family in 1995. In 2014, CVSR raised funds to renovate and restore the car’s interior to its original appearance. The colors and concepts were inspired by the historical, 40s-50s lounge look of the car when it was built. The car features hand-etched glass dividers and display cases that were preserved and highlighted. In 2016, CVSR volunteers, with the assistance of ICA Conservation, dedicated more than 1,000 hours to remove glue from an original mural on the bar area which had been covered with carpet.
Latrobe Inn | #8266
Year Built: 1949
Builder: Budd Company
History: Coach car #161 was built for Pennsylvania Railroad as part of a fleet of 21 roomette sleeping cars. It was rebuilt in 1963 as a 76-seat coach. In 1991 it was rebuilt by MARC to current 80-seat configuration. In 2000, it was owned by Akron Metro and leased to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Ownership was transferred from Akron Metro to CVSR as an in-kind contribution on October 29, 2013. In the spring of 2019 the car was reconfigured into a multi-purpose dining car, as part of CVSR’s Powering Ahead Capital Campaign. The car is preserved by the FirstEnergy Foundation.
A.A. Augustus Dining Car | #2914
Year Built: 1946
Builder: Budd Company
History: Car #2914 was built in November 1946 by the Budd Company for the New York Central Railroad (NYC). It was numbered as 2914 and was a 56-seat coach. On February 1, 1968, the NYC and Pennsylvania Railroad merged to form the Penn Central Transportation Company. 2914 was transferred to the company and retained its original number. The merger from day one was disastrous, and soon after on June 21, 1970 Penn Central filed for bankruptcy.
Passenger service was discontinued until Amtrak began on May 1, 1971. 2914 was purchased by Amtrak in 1974 and was renumbered as 5650. In 1988 it was sold to Kenneth Bitten and was renumbered back to 2914. The coach was used on the Northern Central Railway, Inc.’s Liberty Limited dinner train in New Freedom, PA. CVSR purchased the 2914 in May 1999 and it was named after Albert A. Augustus, CVSR’s second board president from 1977-1988. Augustus later served as a board member and was made a Trustee Emeritus for his many years of service. He passed away on July 19, 2013. In the fall of 2018 the car was converted into a multi-purpose dining car, as a part of CVSR’s Powering Ahead Capital Campaign.
Nancy S. Labouda Car | #6217
Year Built: 1947
Builder: Budd Company
History: Car no. 6217 was built by the Budd Company in January 1947 for the Seaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL). It was a 52-seat chair coach and served on various SAL passenger trains over the years. In July 1967, the SAL merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad to create the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (SCL). No. 6217 was transferred to the SCL and was renumbered as 5202.
When Amtrak started operating on May 1, 1971 it took over SCL’s passenger operations. No. 5202 was sold then to Amtrak and was upgraded to 60 seats in 1976. It was also renumbered to 6015. CVSR acquired the car in November 1996 and was renumbered back to 6217. In March 2017, no. 6217 was sent to the Midwest Railway Preservation Society to have its exterior restored. The restoration was completed in April 2017 and was returned to CVSR. In the fall of 2019 CVSR renovated the interior of the car to its current configuration as part of the Powering Ahead Capital Campaign.
R.T. Green Family Car | #164
Year Built: 1949
Builder: Budd Company
History: Coach car #164 was built for Pennsylvania Railroad as part of a fleet of 21 roomette sleeping cars. It was rebuilt in 1963 as a 76-seat coach. In 1991 it was rebuilt by MARC to current 80-seat configuration. In 2000, it was owned by Akron Metro and leased to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Ownership was transferred from Akron Metro to CVSR as an in-kind contribution on October 29, 2013.
The R.T. Green family has enjoyed Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for more than 25 years. Tom Green was a CVSR Trustee from 1997-2017. In 2001 this Hudson, Ohio family named this car (#164) the Jesse Angell Hall as a tribute to Mr. Green’s father-in-law. Tom’s wife Gretchen and the entire Green family have continued to support CVSR and the Jesse Angell Hall car for the past 18 years.
On October 5, 2019 the Green family re-named the car the R.T. Green Family in honor of their entire family. The car will be named the R.T. Green Family through 2034.
Greensburg Inn | #8260
Year Built: 1949
Builder: Budd Company
Preserved In Honor Of Ruth Renner Percy
History: Coach car #8260 was built for the Pennsylvania Railroad as part of a fleet of 21 roomette sleeping cars. It was rebuilt in 1963 as a 76-seat coach. In 1991 it was rebuilt by MARC to its current 80-seat configuration. In 2000, it was owned by Akron Metro and leased to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Ownership was transferred from Akron Metro to CVSR as an in-kind contribution on October 29, 2013. In 2020, the car was renamed to its original name and number. The car is preserved in honor of Ruth Renner Percy by the Renner Foundation. Percy was an attorney, artist, journalist, world traveler and a dedicated CVSR volunteer with 2,535 hour served. She passed away in 2010.
Ashtabula Inn | #8243
Year Built: 1949
Builder: Budd Company
Preserved By The Reinberger Foundation
History: Coach car #8243 was built for Pennsylvania Railroad as part of a fleet of 21 roomette sleeping cars. It was rebuilt in 1963 as a 76-seat coach. In 1991 it was rebuilt by MARC to its current 80-seat configuration. In 2000, it was owned by Akron Metro and leased to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Ownership was transferred from Akron Metro to CVSR as an in-kind contribution on October 29, 2013. In 2020, the car was renamed to its original name and number.
Beaver Falls Inn | #8244
Year Built: 1949
Builder: Budd Company
Preserved in honor of CVSR Founder Siegfried Buerling
History: Coach car #8244 was built for Pennsylvania Railroad as part of a fleet of 21 roomette sleeping cars. It was rebuilt in 1963 as a 76-seat coach. In 1991 it was rebuilt by MARC to its current 80-seat configuration. In 2000, it was owned by Akron Metro and leased to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Ownership was transferred from Akron Metro to CVSR as an in-kind contribution on October 29, 2013. In March 2021 the car was renamed to its original name and number that it received when it was built in 1949. The car is preserved in honor of CVSR founder Siegfried Buerling.
George Washington Cooper | #165
Year Built: 1949
Builder: Budd Company
History: Coach car #165 was built for Pennsylvania Railroad as part of a fleet of 21 roomette sleeping cars. It was rebuilt in 1963 as a 76-seat coach. In 1991 it was rebuilt by MARC to current 80-seat configuration. In 2000, it was owned by Akron Metro and leased to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Ownership was transferred from Akron Metro to CVSR as an in-kind contribution on October 29, 2013. Car #165 was renamed in late September, 2018 as the “George Washington Cooper” car by Doug Cooper, CVSR former President & CEO as well as the great-great-grandson of George Washington Cooper.
Simon Perkins Car | #167
Year Built: 1949
Builder: Budd Company
History: Coach car #167 was built for Pennsylvania Railroad as part of a fleet of 21 roomette sleeping cars. It was rebuilt in 1963 as a 76-seat coach. In 1991 it was rebuilt by MARC to current 80-seat configuration. In 2000, it was owned by Akron Metro and leased to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Ownership was transferred from Akron Metro to CVSR as an in-kind contribution on October 29, 2013.
Culver Inn | #169
Year Built: 1949
Builder: Budd Company
History: Coach car #169 was built for Pennsylvania Railroad as part of a fleet of 21 roomette sleeping cars. It was rebuilt in 1963 as a 76-seat coach. In 1991 it was rebuilt by MARC to current 80-seat configuration. In 2000, it was owned by Akron Metro and leased to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Ownership was transferred from Akron Metro to CVSR as an in-kind contribution on October 29, 2013. The car is preserved in memory of John Lahoski who made many contributions to the historic railroad and helped shape it into what the community knows today. He was the driving force behind the growth of the North Pole, the destination for families on board CVSR’s North Pole Adventure.
Locomotive #365
Builder: Alco
Model: C-420
Date Built: June, 1965
Engine: 12 cyl. 251
Builder No.: 3418-15
Horsepower: 2,000
History: Locomotive #365 was originally built for Seaboard Air Line as Locomotive #124. It was re-numbered to #1226 following the July 1, 1967 merger with Atlantic Coast Line that formed Seaboard Coast Line. In April, 1976 it was leased to the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, who then purchased the locomotive on July 31, 1977 and re-numbered it to #1365. Indiana Hi-Rail purchased it in 1982 and re-numbered it to #365, later they declared bankruptcy and #365 was sold to Indiana Boxcar leasing company. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad leased #365 in September, 1998 to finish season. CVSR later purchased #365 in December, 2001 from Indiana Boxcar. In 2012, TRIP Funding provided by the National Park Service allowed for the conversion of #365 to Green Technology which was completed in 2015. This reduced exhaust emissions by 90%, reduced fuel consumption by 60%, eliminated oil waste, and reduced Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s visual and noise pollution. The project extended the life of the engine for another 25-30 years.
Locomotive #4241
Builder: MLW
Model: C-424
Date Built: January, 1966
Engine: 16 cyl. 251
Horsepower: 2,400
History: Locomotive #4241 was originally built for Canadian Pacific as #4241, and then rebuilt in 1976. It was retired in 1997 and sold to the Quebec-Gatineau Railway. It was sold to the Buffalo Southern Railroad in 1999, although never operated on the Buffalo Southern. CVSR acquired the locomotive in February, 2004. #4241 entered service in September, 2005 after extensive work at Fitzwater Maintenance Facility.
Locomotive #6780
Builder:MLW
Model: FPA-4
Date Built: 1959
Engine: 12 cyl. 251
Horsepower: 1,800
History: Locomotive Baltimore & Ohio #800 was originally built for Canadian National as Locomotive #6780 and then transferred to VIA Rail Canada when the government took over all intercity passenger trains. VIA retired #6780 in 1989. B&K Engineering purchases #6780 in 1991 for use on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad where it was painted as Baltimore & Ohio #800. B&O #800 saw only brief use on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad before being leased to the Northern Central Railroad. CVSR leased the B&O #800 in June, 2000 and purchased the unit in January, 2006, renumbering it back to 6780 in 2022.
Locomotive #6771
Builder: MLW
Model: FPA-14
Date Built: February, 1959
Engine: 12 cyl. 251
Builder No.: 83149
Horsepower: 1,800
History: Locomotive #6771 was originally built for Canadian National as #6771 and then transferred to VIA Rail Canada when the government took over all intercity passenger trains. VIA retired #6771 in 1989. B&K Engineering purchased #6771 in 1990 for use on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad where it was painted as Western Maryland #305. CVSR purchased the engine in April, 1993 and re-numbered the unit to locomotive #15. In 2003 the unit was numbered back to the original #6771.
Locomotive #1822
Builder: MLW
Model: RS-18
Date Built: 1958
Engine: 12 cyl. 251
Builder No.: 82460
Horsepower: 1,800
History: Locomotive #1822 was originally built for Canadian Pacific as #8779. It was was rebuilt in September, 1984 by CP’s Angus Shops when it received it’s low hood and 1822 number. In 1998, #1822, along with sister unit #1812, were serving as shop switchers in Montreal and were the last active RS-18’s on the Canadian Pacific Railroad. CVSR purchased #1822 in 1998.
Locomotive #6777
Builder: MLW
Model: FPA-4
Date Built: 1959
Engine: 12 cyl. 251
Builder No.: 83155
Horsepower: 1,800
History: Locomotive #6777 was originally built for Canadian National as #6767 and then transferred to VIA Rail Canada when the government took over all intercity passenger trains. VIA retired #6777 in October 1988 and it was purchased by George Hockaday in 1992. CVSR purchased #6777 in 1994 and re-numbered the unit to Locomotive #14. In 2003, the unit was re-painted in a new paint scheme and numbered back to the original #6777.
Cafe’ Car | #2989
Year Built: 1950
Builder: Budd Company
History: Cafe’ car #2989 was originally built for the Southern Pacific Railroad on the Sunset Limited. This car is unique in CVSR’s fleet, being the only car we own of Southern Pacific Railroad heritage. “SP” markings adorn the upper corners to designate it. It was originally built as a “French Quarter Lounge.” CVSR acquired the car in 2002 and it is currently used as a concession car for National Park Scenic excursions.
Baggage Car | #3450
Year Built: 1942
Builder: Budd Company
History: #3450 was built for the Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe Railway. It was acquired by CVSR in 2003. Currently used for the Bike Aboard! program, this car is scheduled to receive upgrades to improve use and capacity with funds provided by the Knight Foundation.
Cafe Car | #8704
Year Built: 1949
Builder: Budd Company
History: Car #8704 was originally build for the Burlington & Quincy Railroad as a Parlor Car. It was rebuilt in 1968 as a 44-seat Snack Bar Coach. CVSR acquired the car in 2007. Car #8704 also has a generator and can be used on smaller trains as a power source for the train. Car #8704 is used by CVSR for as a concession car for special events and excursions.
Baggage Car | #1129
Year Built: 1947
Builder: Pullman Company
History: Car #1129 was built for the Northern Pacific Railway, and acquired by CVSR in 2009. Formerly used for the Bike Aboard program, in 2012 TRIP Funding was provided by the National Park Service to upgrade both the interior and exterior of the car, including a space-saving roll up door and increasing capacity for 40 more bikes.
Fort Mitchell | #727
Year Built: 1947
Builder: Budd Company
History: Car #727 was built for the Central of Georgia Railway as a combine baggage/passenger and named the Fort Mitchell. #727 was sent to the Northern Railcar Company in the winter of 1987. It was completed in 1988 and entered service that summer. CVSR acquired the car in 1995. In 1998 it was converted by Northern Railcar Company to a 36-seat wheelchair accessible coach. The baggage end contains the wheelchair lifts and a small counter for concessions. TRIP Funding provided by the National Park Service in 2012, allowed for the relocation of restrooms, replacement of obsolete wheelchair lifts, and additional wheelchair friendly seats to allow CVSR to continue to be ADA friendly and service additional requests.
ADA Car | #105
Year Built: 1952
Builder: Budd Company
History: Car #105 was originally built by the Budd Company in May of 1952 for the Boston Maine Railroad as an RDC-3 with a Railway Post Office section, a baggage room and passenger seating area. CVSR purchased the car in 2008 from Georgia Southwestern Railroad, and the RDC-3 was de-motorized and turned into a regular coach in 1982. Its end doors were not converted into ADA standards until CVSR had it rebuilt in 2009 by way of a grant from the National Park Service.
Power Car | #688
Year Built: 1953
Builder: St. Louis Car
History: Originally built as a U.S. Army Kitchen car #89670. It was transferred to Amtrak and the car was converted into baggage car #1306. In 1975, Western Engine Company converted #1306 into a Head-End Power Car (HEP) which was renumbered by Amtrak to #294. Amtrak renumbered the car to #688 in 1977. The car is sold in the mid 1980’s to a group of private car owners who used it on excursions and leased it to various tourist railroads. CVSR purchased the car in 2001.
Caboose | #1672
Year Built: 1977
History: Caboose 1672 was built in 1977 from a steel boxcar by the Canadian National’s Pointe St. Charles shops in Motreal. Numbered originally as 79896, this center cupola was used as a run through caboose. It was one of 548 built between 1970-1977 to replace Canadian National’s 1940-1950’s wooden cabooses. In 1996 it was sold to the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. In 2007 it was sold to R.P. Flynn Incorporated, dba as Ohio Railway Supply. CVSR leased 79896 from Ohio Railway Supply in 2008 and purchased it in January, 2016.