The abandoned line between Chagrin Falls and Glenwillow first started out as the Painesville, Canton and Bridgeport Narrow Gauge Railroad in 1877. Extending only 5.115 miles south from Chagrin Falls, it connected with the Cleveland and Mahoning Valley Railroad in Solon. In 1880, the line came under ownership of the Chagrin Falls and Southern Railroad. Once again in 1888, ownership changed hands to the Cleveland, Chagrin Falls and Northern Railroad who then extended to Glenwillow later that year, where it connected with the Cleveland and Canton Railroad at a point called Falls Junction. Conversion of the entire 8 miles of track to standard guage followed in 1890. In 1891 the C&C acquired CCF&N, and the C&C was consolidated as the Cleveland, Canton and Southern Railroad in 1892. Wheeling and Lake Erie started operating the line in 1899, but didn't formally acquire the line until 1916.
The last train to run to Chagrin Falls was in 1983 and the part from U.S. 422 in Solon to Chagrin Falls was abandoned in 1986. The current 1990 reincarnation of the W&LE operated the portion north of where the industrial spur is to Carter Lumber and another industry. After the industry (don't know the name) dropped service with the W&LE, they decided to abandon the portion from 422 to the industrial park spur track (which is still in service).
A rough timeline of this abandoned route:
Glenwillow Solon Chagrin Falls
-------------------------------------------------------------
1877 |---- P C & B -----|
1880 |---- C F & S -----|
1888 |--- C C F & N ----|
1888 |-- C C F & N ---|------------------|
1890 |-- Conversion to standard guage ---|
1891 |------------- C & C ---------------|
1892 |------------ C C & S --------------|
1899 |-- W & L E trackage rights --------|
1916 |------- W & L E ownership ---------|
1986 |-----------------|...abandoned.....|
1990 |----|...abndnd...|
TODAY |----| << short spur in Glenwillow
