My friend is going on vacation to Delaware, and we'll be staying by the Delaware Coast Line Railroad for a week. I would like to learn some information regarding this railroad (How many miles of trackage, how many locomotives, and where is their headquarters?) . Thanks in advance!

Aaron B.

norfolk_western_611@hotmail.com

Hi Aaron. I live in Delaware, and yet I don't know that much about the Delaware Coast line either. I'll do my best to give you what little info I have. The Delaware Coast Line is kind of an obscure shortline handling freight in central to lower Delaware. It comes off of the Delmarva Secondary, which is an NS former Conrail branch that runs the length of the state and connects with the Northeast Corridor at Davis interchange in Newark, DE. I believe the DCL interchange with the Secondary is somewhere south of Middletown, DE. I just rode Rail to the Fair a little while ago, my fifth(fourth?) ride, and for the life of me, I couldn't give you the exact location of the interchange point. I *think* they use a couple of center cab switchers on their line, but I could be wrong. The DCL is one of about 3 or 4 shortlines that come off of the Secondary, including the Maryland and Delaware RR. I'm afraid I can't remember the others. I'm sorry I can't give you any better info than that. You might try posting your message on Tom Gears' site: http://members3.boardhost.com/SteamTrain/
Tom really knows his crap when it comes to railroading in Delaware, so he could probably tell you more than me. You might also try Jim Robinson, Sandy Mitchell, or maybe Kurt Bell. These are other guys from the area that really know their stuff and might be able to shed more light on the DCL. At any rate, when are you and your friend coming up? I am a volunteer for the Wilmington and Western, and I invite you guys to come up and see the railroad. We're running steam on August 12. Come up and see #58 in action. The WW's website is below. Good luck. Seth


Wilmington and Western Railroad
sethajackson@hotmail.com

If you can find a copy, there is a book called Rails Along the Cheasapeake that tells the story of the railroads of the Delmarva penninsula. It only goes to about 1980, but it is a good start.

I would love to see an excursion on the Eastern Shore RR from Pokamoke down to Cape Charles!

Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society
tstuy@eldcps.org

The last time I was down there (last fall?) the railroad was for all practical purposes completely defunct. What excursion equipment there was left (several stainless cars and ex-Navy 0-6-0T #3, the latter ex-Wilmington & Western) were stored east of Georgetown, the junction point with the ex-Conrail NS secondary en route to the Indian River Power plant and the Maryland & Delaware Berlin-Snow Hill line. As far as I know, there is nothing to "see" per se; what you might find will only sadden you or break your heart.

More information on Delaware/Delmarva railroading can be found at the excellent site linked below.

Delmarva Railfan Guide by Scott Harris
LNER4472@bcpl.net

Thanks for all the information! You made a mistake though, Seth. It is just my friend who is on vacation (He is already there, and he will be coming back on this Sunday, so he won't be able to come to see the #58 in action.) . So does the railroad use some center cab switchers, is it a tourist / freight railroad, and is it defuncted completely? Thanks again in advance!

This is getting interesting, I would like to do some research regarding this railroad, Aaron B.

norfolk_western_611@hotmail.com