Wilmington and Western Railroad

Delaware’s Only Operating Railroad Museum, Back on Track

Heritage Steam and Diesel Excursions Through the Red Clay Valley Since 1872

What started in 1867 as a freight and passenger line connecting Wilmington to the small mill towns and farm communities of the Red Clay Valley has become, in its second century, one of Delaware’s most beloved family attractions. The Wilmington and Western Railroad — operating out of Greenbank Station in Wilmington since 1966 as a heritage tourist railroad — runs steam, diesel, and historic doodlebug excursions through the scenic Red Clay Creek valley, through forest and field, past covered bridges and old mill sites, on equipment that in some cases is more than 100 years old.

Important 2026 Update: The Wilmington and Western suspended excursion operations in February 2025 for a comprehensive program of locomotive, rolling stock, and track maintenance — including approximately 2,500 new ties, wheel work on a major locomotive, and bridge inspections. Excursions resumed successfully in October 2025, with the holiday-season Santa Claus Express and Holiday Lights Express trains described as resounding successes. A full 2026 schedule is currently in development. Always check wwrr.com for the current 2026 schedule before planning your visit, as specific operating dates, excursion types, and ticket availability are managed through the website. Holiday and themed excursions sell out weeks or months in advance.

The Greenbank Station property is open one hour before the first departure on operating days. The business office is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Ticket pricing varies by excursion type; purchase online at wwrr.com or by calling the business office during weekday hours.

The History of the Line: From Freight Route to Living Museum

The Delaware and Chester County Railroad was incorporated in 1867 to build a line from Wilmington southwest toward Pennsylvania, and was renamed the Wilmington and Western Railroad in 1869. The line opened for service on October 19, 1872, running through the Red Clay Creek valley to serve the mills, farms, and communities along the route.

Like most rural short lines, the Wilmington and Western experienced a prolonged economic decline throughout the 20th century as highway transportation displaced rail freight and passenger service. After passing through several corporate ownerships, the line was operated briefly by Chessie System before filing for abandonment in the early 1980s.

Historic Red Clay Valley Inc. (HRCV) — the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Wilmington and Western — stepped in to purchase the 10.2-mile line, launching a heritage tourist service that continues today. The railroad celebrated its 50th anniversary of tourist operation in 2016. The Wilmington and Western is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a national historic district — recognized not just for its equipment and operations, but for the cultural and economic landscape of the Red Clay Valley itself.

Trivia: The W&W’s General Motors Diesel-Electric SW1 locomotive No. 114, built in February 1940, is the oldest diesel locomotive in routine scheduled service anywhere in the United States. It has been working for 86 years and apparently has no plans to retire.

The Excursions

The Wilmington and Western offers multiple excursion types throughout the season, each providing a different experience of the Red Clay Valley landscape:

Hockessin Flyer

The railroad’s flagship excursion — a 2.5-hour round trip from Greenbank Station to the northern end of the line in Hockessin, with a 30-minute layover in town. The route passes through rock cuts (open-topped cuts through hillside that feel like tunnels without roofs), climbs the steepest grade on the line, and follows Red Clay Creek through some of the most attractive preserved rural landscape in New Castle County.

Mt. Cuba Meteor (Yorklyn Limited)

A 1.5-hour round trip from Greenbank to the Mt. Cuba Picnic Grove, with a 30-minute layover for picnicking alongside the creek. The shorter excursion makes this a natural pairing with a visit to Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm directly across the street.

The Doodlebug

The W&W operates one of only two surviving Pennsylvania Railroad “Doodlebug” self-propelled railcars — No. 4662, built in 1929. Doodlebugs were used on lightly trafficked branch lines where a full locomotive-hauled train wasn’t economical. Riding the Doodlebug is a genuinely rare experience — there are almost none of these left anywhere.

Brandywine Springs History Excursion

A history-focused trip to Brandywine Springs Park — site of a hotel and amusement park from the late 1800s and early 1900s, featuring (in its day) a fun house, pony rides, dance hall, lake, bandstand, and an early wooden roller coaster. The park closed in 1923 and is now a New Castle County park. A Friends of Brandywine Springs guide leads an approximately 90-minute walking tour of the former amusement park before the train continues to Mt. Cuba.

Brews on Board

An adults-only (21+) excursion featuring a two-hour round trip with two craft beer pours included and additional pours available for purchase. A relaxed evening on the rails for the grown-up crowd.

Themed and Special Excursions

The Wilmington and Western’s event calendar is one of its primary draws — particularly for families returning year after year for seasonal traditions:

• Easter Bunny Express — a spring family classic
• Thomas & Friends events — the fastest-selling tickets on the calendar; book months in advance
• 4th of July Fireworks Train — evening excursion timed to regional fireworks, including a memorable steam locomotive run up to Hockessin
• Fall Foliage excursions — the Red Clay Valley in October is one of the most scenic rail corridors in Delaware
• Halloween Hayride — a family-friendly autumn tradition
• Santa Claus Express — the holiday season signature event
• Holiday Lights Express — evening holiday excursion with festive decorations and carols
• Polar Express — a narrative evening ride for families

The Equipment

The Wilmington and Western maintains a fleet of vintage locomotives and rolling stock that represents multiple eras of American railroad history:

• Steam Locomotives: 0-6-0 No. 58 and 4-4-0 No. 98, both currently being maintained and returned to service following the 2025 maintenance program
• Diesel Locomotive No. 114: 1940 General Motors SW1 — the oldest diesel locomotive in routine scheduled service in the U.S.
• Doodlebug No. 4662: 1929 Pennsylvania Railroad self-propelled railcar, one of only two surviving examples
• Open-air excursion cars, enclosed coaches, and cabooses

The railroad is operated almost entirely by volunteers — engineers, conductors, ticket agents, track maintainers, and shop mechanics — who collectively keep one of Delaware’s most distinctive cultural institutions running.

Visiting the Wilmington and Western

Greenbank Station is located at 2201 Newport Gap Pike (Route 41 North), approximately 4 miles southwest of downtown Wilmington and directly across the street from Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm. The two sites make an ideal combined outing, particularly on days when both are operating. Free on-site parking is available; the lot fills on popular event days, so early arrival is recommended. Ticket reservations purchased online are held at the station ticket window and must be picked up at least 15 minutes before departure.