BRANDYWINE SPRINGS HISTORIC EXPRESS

One of the most historically significant locations along our tracks is Brandywine Springs Park, which was the site of a hotel and amusement park in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Brandywine Springs featured a fun house, pony rides, dance hall, lake, bandstand and an early wooden roller coaster. Many people came to the park on trains operating along the same tracks we use today.

The amusements closed in 1923 and today Brandywine Springs is a New Castle County park - only a few stone foundations remain of the park's amusements. The Friends of Brandywine Springs perform monthly archaeological digs in the park to uncover this unique piece of Wilmington's history, and tell the stories that this site holds.

On this special history-focused excursion, you'll have the opportunity to explore the park with a Friends of Brandywine Springs guide who will point out the locations of the former amusements, and paint a picture of Brandywine Springs in its heyday.

On the outbound trip from Greenbank Station, our train will stop for the Brandywine Springs walking tour, which will take approximately 1½-hours. Once back aboard, the train will continue outbound to the Mt. Cuba Picnic Grove, and then return inbound to Greenbank Station (this train will not layover at the picnic grove). Allow 2½ hours for the train ride and walking tour. Passengers are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.

This event is powered by our 1929 Pennsylvania Railroad Doodlebug railcar.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Reservation Policy

Brandywine Springs Boardwalk
Brandywine Springs Boardwalk
Photo: Friends of Brandywine Springs
Brandywine Springs Soda & Ice Cream Parlor
Brandywine Springs Soda & Ice Cream Parlor
Photo: Friends of Brandywine Springs

SCHEDULE


There are no more dates for this event this year.
See you next year!

FARES

COACH SEATING

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Adults:

$20

Seniors (60+):

$19

Children (2-12):

$18

Toddler (under 2):

FREE

CABOOSE RENTAL

Not available for this event.

PARLOR CAR RENTAL

Not available for this event.

All trains operate rain or shine. The railroad reserves the right to substitute coaches and/or motive power as operating conditions demand and to make modifications to the schedule without prior notice. We have limited accessibility for handicapped persons. All buildings have wheelchair ramps and we have a wheelchair lift to board the train at Greenbank Station. However, there is no wheelchair lift available at any of our stops, including the Mt. Cuba Picnic Grove and Hockessin. Train doorways are only 24-inches wide and there is limited space for wheelchair storage on the train.

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