Wilmington & Western RR's former B&O SW-1 No. 8408 has returned back to our Marshallton facilities. She has been off site at McHugh Locomotive & Crane where she has received a total restoration. J.C. McHugh, his family, and employees have really put their hearts and souls into her restoration. Yes, the W&W paid them and they are a business but they went above and beyond to make sure everything was done right. The McHugh folks made some major donations of parts and labor as well. She is getting some final adjustments and will be tested in the coming weeks before entering regular service.

Once she goes into service, our other SW-1, former LV No. 114, will get some rest and attention. Both units were built in 1940. Look for a number of special events this year as part of the W&W's year-long 50th birthday celebration.

The 08 Looks awesome.

I have always said that the W&W has some of the best preserved railroad equipment that is used in regular service and this just adds to the proof of their fleet.

Kudos to the W&W and McHugh for the efforts put into this preservation.

Will the 114 go back to the LV scheme?

I'm not an authority on the W&W in any way but I'd safely say - I highly doubt it.

Basically, the W&W/HRCV's mission statement states that it is preserving the industtial heritage of the Red Clay Valley, though education through the operation of its passenger excursions whcih highlight that history. They never were intent on preserving the phsyical heritage of their equipment, though it is acknowledged, but rather the history of the line itself and its contributions to the State of Delaware and the Country as a whole, which they do well considering the obstacles they have endured over the last 50 years.

The W&W name is original, its not some made up 1960's name, its the original builder of the route they run on, dating from 1867. Their equipment reflects that name.

The restoration of the 8408 and the ex B&O Caboose to B&O heritage livery acknowledges the 98 years that the B&O controlled the branch.Their [B&O] purchase of branch is the reason they were able to compete with the PRR and build their line through Delaware, by using the W&W's charter rights in 1888.

Lehigh Valley, Erie/Lackawanna, Mississippi Central, Atlanta Birmingham & Coast, etc, while all techical to their eqipment's history, do not tie in to the history of the branch, or the Red Clay Valley. The passenger cars wear the state colors of blue and yellow and have since 1966, those colors and their current scheme also pay tribute to the B&O's passenger cars. The #114's current paint scheme very loosely, and intently, pays tribute to its Lehigh Valley Heritage.

The PRR 4662 ties in to the W&W's history as it originally connected with the Pennsy at Landenburg PA.

(The oddball PRSL painted ex.DL&W parlor car is simply a financial decision - that paint job was done by pervious owner and has held up fantastically for over 20 years, despite long term storage outdoors prior to return to service)

They portray a branch line operation. They use equipment authentic to portraying the time frame of what was used by both the original W&W and the B&O with a little variation here and there to meet current customers needs/demands.

They are considered Delaware's Operating History Museum for a good reason. The Valley's history is first.

Back on Sunday, May 1, the W&W brought out #8408 for the first time to Greenbank Station - and used it to power that day's trains to the Mt Cuba picnic grove for the first time in a very long time. Here is footage from that day's trains:

Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/PBKUWA-6EIo