Wilmington and Western Operations Paused - Indefinitely?

wesp · **Posted:** Fri Jun 06, 2025 4:21 pm

From the Lewes Junction Bridge and Railroad Association.

Quote:

On May 8th, 2024, former Pennsylvania Railroad steam engine #60, built in 1913, was moved from a long-term storage location in Yorklyn, DE, to the Wilmington and Western Railroad shops in Wilmington, DE. There it will be restored, prior to being moved to the railroad exhibit in Lewes, DE. This video documents some of the highlights of the move.

Did this trip also cross bridge 9C?
YouTube video of the move.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Jun 07, 2025 2:21 am

wesp wrote:

From the Lewes Junction Bridge and Railroad Association.

Quote:

On May 8th, 2024, former Pennsylvania Railroad steam engine #60, built in 1913, was moved from a long-term storage location in Yorklyn, DE, to the Wilmington and Western Railroad shops in Wilmington, DE. There it will be restored, prior to being moved to the railroad exhibit in Lewes, DE. This video documents some of the highlights of the move.

Did this trip also cross bridge 9C?
YouTube video of the move.

That was LAST year, mate........

wesp · **Posted:** Sat Jun 07, 2025 6:14 pm

Quote:

Did this trip also cross bridge 9C?
YouTube video of the move.

Quote:

That was LAST year, mate........

EXACTLY.

The question remains on the floor.

Did the train including PRR 60 cross bridge 9C in May 2024?

Wesley

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sun Jun 08, 2025 1:22 pm

wesp wrote:

Quote:

Did this trip also cross bridge 9C?
YouTube video of the move.

Quote:

That was LAST year, mate........

EXACTLY.

The question remains on the floor.

Did the train including PRR 60 cross bridge 9C in May 2024?

Not sure what you're getting at.

Are you suggesting that the bridge is perfectly safe and their suggestion that it needs work now before it can be used is a ruse?

Or are you suggesting taking PRR 60 over the bridge "broke" it?

There exists a potentially logical explanation for the course of events:
They got #60 out (one way, one last time) over what they HAD believed was a "safe" bridge, and subsequent inspection revealed some issue that stands to be corrected now (could be something as innocent as underscouring on a pier, or a few ties that should be replaced or track joints to be adjusted, not complete replacement).

I'm untrusting of the current administrators of the W&W to the point of malice, but I simply don't see this issue of #60 crossing the span as some "smoking gun" proving some scandalous lie. I consider the operation of PRR doodlebug 4662 over the span after their claims that the bridge needs repair to be a MUCH bigger piece of evidence that someone's fabricating convenient excuses. (And even then, there's a potential "out"--maybe the bridge IS "safe" for a lighter 4662 but not for a locomotive....... I mean, no one's sending the train over the bridge unmanned to be boarded at the other side, as happened on some last few in-service runs on soon-to-be-abandoned lines with questionable bridges.......)

NJDixon · **Joined:** Mon Dec 06, 2021 4:36 pm **Posts:** 363

An update from the GoFundMe:

Quote:

Thank you for your continued interest in our efforts to restore our right to elect the leaders of our organization. Since my last update there has been some progress, but not the progress we were hoping for. Despite confirming their intention to hold an annual meeting and election nearly 2 months ago, the board has yet to share with us the membership list, nor if they have secured a date and location to hold the annual meeting and election. Because we believe the board is not acting within a reasonable timeframe, I authorized our attorney to send a letter of demand to the board, requesting the date and location of the election. The board did not respond within the 5-business day deadline. With our options limited, we filed a case and motion to expedite in the Court of Chancery. The case has been filed, and the process has begun. I know this is not the swift outcome we were all hoping for, but this is now the path we need to take to ensure our continued progress. I will continue to offer updates as key milestones are reached. Like last time, I have attached this month’s bank statement for the legal fund donations. To date we have raised just over $14,000. We have spent just shy of $3,000 on legal fees. If you are able and feel inclined, we encourage you to continue to share our GoFundMe and donate. While we have met our initial goal, court costs will continue to deplete our account. Remember, in either case the leftover funds will either go to our organization or another of our founders’ non-profits. Please continue to engage us and ask any questions you have. I will continue to provide monthly updates on this until a resolution has been met. Again, thank you for your continued support.