HISTORIC TIMELINE

DID YOU KNOW...

The Wilmington & Western is the 7th oldest standard gauge heritage railroad in North America and is the oldest tourist railroad operated entirely by volunteers.

In 1983 the Wilmington & Western had nine steam locomotives in its motive power stable, in addition to a "fireless cooker" and a Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 electric locomotive.

While the B&O discontinued steam passenger service on the Landenberg Branch in 1930, the final steam passenger trip occurred on the line in 1949.

In 1922 the Landenberg Branch was host to the first test run of a prototype self-propelled passenger car, the precursor to the "doodlebugs".



In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the modern Wilmington & Western in 2016, we compiled 50 years of history into a 246-page, chronologically-ordered, 50-Year Historic Timeline. The timeline maps Historic Red Clay Valley Inc. (HRCV) as an organization, and it accurately details the rich historical heritage of the Wilmington & Western Railroad and the dedication of scores of devoted volunteers over the first 50 years of operations. More than 275 images document many of the events and activities which have occurred at Delaware’s Operating Railroad Museum.



The 50-Year Historic Timeline is available free for online reading through the links below. Knowing many folks prefer reading a high-quality paper copy, the timeline has been bound into a single 246-page printed volume with a spiral binding. The printed 50-Year Historic Timeline is available at our Greenbank Gift Shop or by calling the Business Office and ordering your copy. If you find the timeline of interest, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to HRCV by clicking the button below. Your gift will ensure a long life for this unique piece of Delaware history, and keep the trains on track for many years to come!

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The Historic Timeline is available in the following free online versions:

A screen-resolution, color PDF.
Color Screen-Resolution Timeline (16 MB)

A printer-resolution, black-and-white PDF.
Grayscale Printer-Resolution Timeline (22 MB)

A condensed, online and interactive timeline.
Interactive Timeline

DID YOU KNOW?