Convert CVSR into commuter rail to Tower City?

[SlideRules99]

Originally Posted by ferraris

CVNP is pretty strange for a national park. It's on the small size and there's almost no camping (no dispersed backpacking options at all). The interstate that already cuts through the park is a pretty obtrusive presence, far more than a few trains a day would be.

Since it's the site of a landfill and an old NBA stadium, I think there's an argument to make it sort of a showcase of responsible land use in a metro area. It doesn't need to be a 100% pristine nature reserve, and it already isn't that.

Interesting logic…like, the park already has a black eye, so may as well give it a bloody nose. Sure, it’s a quirky park, but why make it even less natural?

The interstates are unfortunate. The only saving grace is they cut across the park perpendicular to the river valley, and elevated at that point. Still bad though.

Diesel metro-to-metro commuter trains running 8-10 times per day along the entire north/south length of the river valley floor, the lifeline of the park and its namesake, would be “next level” disruption IMO.

Sorry, National Parks are not about “responsible land use in a metro area”. Mission statement:

“The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.”

I’ve said my bit on this and then some…I’ll drop it.

[Cleverfield]

Exciting steps being taken on this! https://neo-trans.blog/2024/01/12/cu...to-be-studied/

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by Cleverfield

Exciting steps being taken on this! https://neo-trans.blog/2024/01/12/cu...to-be-studied/

A step in the right direction. Glad to see NOACA get out ahead of this. They really need to get Bedrock on board so they don't block the CVSR ROW with new buildings that, of course, will themselves be a major plus to Tower City and the Cuyahoga riverfront... Let's work together.

[kpl1228]

Much as I love rail in a metro setting, the idea of the perfectly rural, bucolic stops along the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad being transformed into transit-oriented communities terrifies the hell out of me. It's a local tourist train, and a good one. We don't have to meddle and tweak everything. There's a reason Metzenbaum and the others separated that whole region away from anything urban when that parcel of land was set aside, and we shouldn't nibble away at it. Let it stay an isolated paradise. The rest of the region can get fiddled with by all of us armchair planners. Not this.

[cubsguy81]

This proposal is a solution in search of a problem. What is the demand for commuter rail into downtown Cleveland from those areas? The RTA is a money loser as it is in the urban areas where you would figure demand would be higher. Look at light rail usage in Shaker Heights for example. Deserted.

Like others have said, the CVRR is a neat quirk in a national park. Leave it alone.

[TheProf]

We've had the CVSR tourist rail v. commuter rail debate, and I would rather not revisit it.

Note, however, the main commuter rail discussion is only from downtown to Valley View: the all industrial section and not into CVNP.

Note 2: whether you call it "scenic rail" or "commuter rail", there is an advantage to more frequent service into the Park: more pedestrians, fewer cars.... Just sayin'.