She is familiar, but she’s sporting a new moniker.
The Nickel Plate Road’s 2-8-4 Berkshire No. 765 is back for another run through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but for the popular Steam in the Valley this weekend and next, the steam engine will bear the number 767.
The annual passenger excursions are put on by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Kelly Lynch, vice president of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, said the historic steam engine is making its first public run through the Northeast Ohio national park since some maintenance and renovation work to restore it to its appearance in the 1950s.
The number change — albeit temporary — is part of an effort to reflect the locomotive’s appearance before it was retired in 1958.
The most noticeable renovation work includes the addition of an extra headlight known as a Mars Light.
Lynch said there are always a lot of people gathered along the tracks as the huge steam engine chugs its way from appearance to appearance.
“The passengers who ride with us say it is like being with a rock star because the world comes out to see this train,” he said.
During the Steam in the Valley excursions, the ol’ 767 will be pulling passenger cars on the CVSR tracks for three-hour excursions.
Lynch, who travels with the locomotive, is one of the engine’s firemen helping to shovel coal into the engine when needed to help the automated coal auger keep up.
“The engine has a pretty big appetite,” he said.
The chance to step back into time and ride on a train led by a steam engine attracts a lot of fans, Lynch said adding some people travel from out of state and even abroad to take a ride and see the 767 up close and in person.
“It draws a crowd,” he said.
Standing 15 feet tall, the engine weighs 404 tons and can travel at more than 60 miles an hour. It was built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1944.
Tickets range from $23 to $60 for coach and deluxe seats for the runs through the national park.
One of the more popular options will be seating in one of two open-air cars where you can not only see the engine and the surroundings, but also smell and hear the locomotive chug along the rails.
“It is a really unique experience,” said Taylor Nickel, communications manager for Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
During the excursion, Nickel said the train will make a brief stop so passengers will be able to get off and take a photo of the engine as its inches its way down the track.
“The passengers get a phenomenal picture,” she said.
Departures for the excursions will be from the Rockside Station at 7900 Old Rockside Road in Independence and Akron’s Northside Station at 27 Ridge St. in Akron.
“This is definitely our big event in the fall,” she said.
Nickel said those looking for something a little bit different should check out the special Steampunk Railroad Event on Sept. 24.
The train will depart at 8 p.m. from the Rockside Station and make its way to a steampunk-themed event at the scenic railroad’s Fitzwater Train Yard.
Passengers must be 21 or older to attend the night of live music, games and food.
Guests are encouraged to wear “steampunk-inspired” clothing to the event.
Tickets are $75 each and the train will make its way back to the station around 11 p.m. Tickets for the excursions and the Steampunk event are available at cvsr.com/steam-in-the-valley.
“This is a real fun event,” Nickel said.
Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3547.