EVENTS & FARES

Each year, thousands of people make us a part of their family fun. Whether it's a festive train ride with Santa, a summer evening spent sipping craft beer, or a Sunday afternoon picnic, the Wilmington & Western provides a variety of year-round events for you and your family to enjoy.


FEATURED EVENTS

Princess Express
Photo: Sew Classy Royal Events

PRINCESS EXPRESS

Join five popular royal characters on our train as they pose for pictures and interact with everyone aboard - it is sure to be a fun, royal afternoon!

  June 25 & August 13
  1½-hour round-trip
  Steam- or diesel-powered (depending on date)

Complete Event Information...

Yorklyn Limited
Photo: Mike Ciosek

YORKLYN LIMITED

Take a leisurely ride to our Mt. Cuba Picnic Grove. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy during the ½-hour layover along the banks of the Red Clay Creek.

  Various dates, April thru September
  1½-hour round-trip

Complete Event Information...

OTHER EVENTS

Autumn Leaf Special
Photo: Stephen Rogers

AUTUMN LEAF SPECIAL

Surround yourself with the beauty and splendor of Autumn during the most colorful time of the year in the Red Clay Valley.

  Various dates, October & November
  1½- or 2½-hour round-trip (depending on trip)
  Steam- or diesel-powered (depending on date)

Complete Event Information...

Back to School Special

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL

Bring the kids for one last summer hurrah as the new school year begins! Plus, we will be collecting school supplies for donation to a local school.

  August 26 & 27
  1½-hour round-trip
  One child rides FREE with each full-priced adult/senior ticket.
  Diesel-powered

Complete Event Information...

Brews On Board

BREWS ON BOARD

Local craft brews are served aboard our train for your tasting pleasure on a leisurely round-trip through the Red Clay Valley. MUST BE 21+ TO RIDE.

  Various dates, May thru September
  2-hour round-trip
  Diesel-powered

Complete Event Information...

NEW FOR 2023!
Doodlebug Days
Photo: Ed Feathers

DOODLEBUG DAYS

Take a ride aboard our unique 1929 "Doodlebug" railcar, an all-in-one self-propelled train!

  Various dates, May thru September
  1-hour round-trip
  Doodlebug-powered

Complete Event Information...

Father's Day Special
Photo: Andy Gwiazda

FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL

Dads love trains, so bring him out for a ride behind our historic steam locomotive. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy with dad at our picnic grove.

  June 18
  1½-hour round-trip
  Fathers ride for half-fare!
  Steam-powered

Complete Event Information...

Fireworks Express
Photo: Oren B. Helbok

FIREWORKS EXPRESS

Park at our Greenbank Station and our train will take you directly into Hockessin for the July 4th Fireworks Show.

  July 4
  4-hour round-trip
  Steam-powered

Complete Event Information...

NEW FOR 2023!
Galactic Express
Photo: Shutter & Snap Photography

GALACTIC EXPRESS

Calling all Star Wars fans for this EXCLUSIVE character train ride! Join us as we embark on a mission to explore planet Earth and meet three well-known space knights and a little green alien.

  September 24
  1½-hour round-trip
  Diesel-powered

Complete Event Information...

Grandparents Day Special

GRANDPARENTS DAY SPECIAL

Show your grandparents some love on their special day and bring them aboard for a scenic train ride. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at the Mt. Cuba Picnic Grove.

  September 10
  1½-hour round-trip
  Grandparents ride for half-fare!
  Diesel-powered

Complete Event Information...

Halloween Express
Photo: Mike Ciosek

HALLOWEEN EXPRESS

A friendly witch rides the train and gives a special treat to all little ghosts and goblins.

  October 29
  1½-hour round-trip
  All passengers in costume ride for $10!
  Steam-powered

Complete Event Information...

Hayride Express
Photo: Andy Gwiazda

HAYRIDE EXPRESS

Enjoy an evening ride through the Red Clay Valley on an original railroad flatcar filled with hay and converted especially for hayrides.

  Fridays in October
  1-hour round-trip
  Diesel-powered

Complete Event Information...

Hockessin Flyer
Photo: Jeff Hammaker

HOCKESSIN FLYER

Relax aboard our train as we take you on a relaxing round-trip ride along the entire length of our railroad to the town of Hockessin.

  Various dates, April thru September
  2½-hour round-trip
  Steam- or diesel-powered (depending on date)

Complete Event Information...

Holiday Lights Express
Photo: Steve Barry

HOLIDAY LIGHTS EXPRESS

Enjoy a peaceful interlude at the end of the year with an evening ride aboard our vintage train, which is covered in thousands of holiday lights.

  December evenings
  1-hour round-trip
  Diesel-powered

Complete Event Information...

Ice Princess Express
Photo: Sew Classy Royal Events

ICE PRINCESS EXPRESS

Ride our train through the Red Clay Valley with the Ice Queen, Ice Princess and Ice Harvester as they sing songs and greet all their royal guests.

  November 5 & 12
  1½-hour round-trip
  Steam-powered

Complete Event Information...

Railroading Summer Camp
Photo: Mike Ciosek

RAILROADING SUMMER CAMP

Enroll your 9- through 13-year-old in our one-day Railroading Summer Camp where they'll learn about the fascinating world of railroading.

  July 19 & August 2
  Hands-on learning

Complete Event Information...

Salute to Veterans
Photo: Steve Jensen Jr.

SALUTE TO VETERANS

The Wilmington & Western honors our veterans and their service to our country with a morning ceremony at Greenbank Station, followed by train rides to Yorklyn.

  November 11
  1½-hour round-trip
  Veterans ride FREE!
  Steam-powered

Complete Event Information...

Santa Claus Express
Photo: Mike Ciosek

SANTA CLAUS EXPRESS

Bring the family and take a train ride with Santa! The Jolly Old Elf himself rides the train and greets everyone on board, and gives all children a chocolate treat.

  Weekends between Thanksgiving & Christmas
  1½-hour round-trip
  Steam- or diesel-powered (depending on date)

Complete Event Information...

School & Day Camp Trains
Photo: Mike Ciosek

SCHOOL & DAY CAMP TRAINS

The story of the railroad and its impact on life in the Red Clay Valley is told to the young railroaders aboard for this leisurely train ride.

  Select Tuesdays, April thru August
  45-minute round-trip
  Diesel-powered

Complete Event Information...

NEW FOR 2023!
School's Out Special

SCHOOL'S OUT SPECIAL

Celebrate the end of another school year with free rides for all school teachers, admins and staff!

  June 10 & 11
  1½-hour round-trip
  School teachers, admins & staff ride FREE!
  Diesel-powered

Complete Event Information...

Wine & Cheese Express

WINE & CHEESE EXPRESS

Savor a fine selection of wine and cheese pairings as you ride through the Red Clay Valley at dusk.

  June 3
  2-hour round-trip
  Diesel-powered

Complete Event Information...

NEW FOR 2023!
Wizards Express
Photo: Sew Classy Royal Events

WIZARDS EXPRESS

Join your fellow wizards and witches for the first Wizard School field trip of the year!

  July 16
  1½-hour round-trip
  Steam-powered

Complete Event Information...

DID YOU KNOW?