Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Sued Over LTEX Loco Lease

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2025 12:51 am

https://akronrrclub.wordpress.com/2025/ ... ive-lease/

Quote:

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has been hit with a breech of contract lawsuit alleging that it improperly ended a lease for two locomotives and then unlawfully kept the locomotives while refusing to pay for them.

In a lawsuit filed on Nov. 23 in Summit County Common Pleas Court, LHAGS Inc. which owns locomotive leasing and sales company LTEX, contends the CVSR failed to properly maintain the leased locomotives.

The plaintiff argues that CVSR failed to provide required notice before lease expiration, owes $12,200 in unpaid lease payments and services, and caused $150,000 in damage to the locomotives through negligence.

The complaint seeks the return of the locomotives and damages of at least $160,000.

The locos in question are reportedly GP15-1s LTEX 1419 and LTEX 1443, both ex-Conrail/NS and now in an orange-and-black paint scheme, with the 1443 being seen in passenger service as late as this past September.

There have been other reports that the line has canceled its supposedly pending purchase of the Grand Canyon Railway's remaining ex-VIA loco roster, after the arrival of the first two purchased and shipped, FPA4 6773 and FPB4 6871...............

PaulWWoodring · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2025 7:57 am

I was waiting for someone to post something about some of the CVSR's screw-ups so I could put the lie to any assertion that management knows what they are doing (regarding how they handle the Santa trains). They not only put anti-freeze in the cooling system of one of the locomotives from Larry's, they put recreational vehicle water system anti-freeze in it, didn't realize it was equipped with freeze sensing dump valves, and had all of it self-dump and contaminate the ground in the national park. Then they just returned it to LTEX with bearing damage from having had the anti-freeze in it without saying anything, I guess hoping they wouldn't notice. They are far from competent railroad professionals.

Emmo213 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2025 10:39 am

I thought they screwed over another locomotive shop about 8 years ago too but for some reason the other shop never sued. This may not be a new phenomenon for CSVR.

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1799

They definitely treat railfans poorly, both on the train and off. One Steam in the Valley event was enough for me - although I now regret not returning to see the Ohio Central engine since that may have been my only chance to see her run.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Dec 31, 2025 7:31 pm

Report via Trainorders.com:

Quote:

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has filed its response and a counterclaim in the lawsuit filed by Larry's Truck and Electric (LTEX) concerning a pair of leased locomotives.

CVSR asserts LTEX 1419 had a failed prime mover, two blown bearings, and other defects. The other locomotive, LTEX 1443 had corroded airlines, among other mechanical issues.

We shall see what happens in court. For those following along, the case is in Summit County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court, case CV-2025-11-5490.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

I'll bet the lease terms are rather Byzantine, but (leaving aside the claims of negligence) I wonder who is responsible for a breakdown. If, say, a 50 year old main generator fails the day after the lease starts, who pays, the owner or the lessee?