Does anybody know when Wilmington & Western 98 will be running on trains and back in service? I'd like to drive up for a visit and ride behind her. Thank you.

I haven't heard yet when she'll be placed in revenue service; she's still in the final stages of restoration. How far away do you live, Kerry? You could stop up this weekend(8/7 - 8/8). The #58 will be out stretching her 97 year-old legs both days(Greenbank Locals). Take care. Seth

Wilmington & Western RR
sethajackson@hotmail.com

> Does anybody know when Wilmington &
> Western 98 will be running on trains and
> back in service? I'd like to drive up for a
> visit and ride behind her. Thank you.

A specific date has not yet been set for 98's formal return to service. The locomotive has been fired up and run in the yard (see the W&W website for photos). It performed very well--everything was tight and no steam leaks. Thanks to Bob Yuill and Historic Machinery Services for completing an outstanding rebuild of the boiler and firebox!

The W&W shop crew, headed by Steve Jensen, has completed lagging the boiler. The next step is to contract for fabrication and installation of the jacketing. Once that is done, and final painting and lettering has been completed, the locomotive will be done. Look for an announcent this fall for a return to service.

For your information, steam locomotive 58 will be operating this coming weekend and Labor Day Weekend.

Regarding the rebuild of the flood-damaged track and bridges, New Castle County presented to Historic Red Clay Valley, Inc. a check for $300,000 last month to help match the federal grants being made available by the Federal Emergency Management Association. Private fundraising is also underway. Clean-up of the creek and removal of the damage trestles will be completed in the coming months. With the cooperation and assistance of the Delaware Department of Transportation, we hope to have engineering designs for the new structures completed this fall.

For more information on the Wilmington and Western Railroad, follow the link below.

Ronald Bailey,
HRCV Inc. President

The Wilmington & Western Railroad
rbailey@supernet.com