Yes, the line did at one time enter Fort Miles. During WW II the 2nd Battalion, 52nd Coast Artillery Regiment (Railway 8-inch Gun) was based there as part of the Harbor Defenses of Delaware. A reorganization effective 1 May 1943 broke the regiment into separate battalions and the 2nd Battalion was redesignated as the 287th Coast Artillery Battalion (Railway Gun). As the German naval threat diminished the unit was transferred to Fort Bragg, NC, and reorganized and redesignated effective 30 August 1944 as the 539th Field Artillery Battalion (240mm Howitzer Trac-D), a non-divisional unit, and shipped to Europe. By August 1945 it was in Zeweiv, Germany.

Few traces remain of the railway into the fort. I think it was in the summer of 1990 that I found what appeared to be the concrete foundation of a then-gone enginehouse that included rails and an inspection pit filled in with asphalt. I don't think it's there anymore.

I'm told that, in later years, the old fort site became a source for sand for PRR locomotives but I can't confirm it.

For more than you ever wanted to know about Fort Miles.

http://fortmilesha.org/historical-perspective/

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/156263/r ... es-defense

Very interesting. Thanks for sending.