Large Scale Central

Wilmington and Western RR

Prototypes
#1

For about the last year or so, I’ve been volunteering down at this local tourist line. On Thursday nites they open the shop and for a couple of hours, you can get your hands dirty working on some vintage RR equipment.

http://www.wwrr.com/default.aspx

Last Saturday morning I took a run down there to watch them get ready for the “Autumn Leaf Special”.

Here’s the crew getting No. 98 ready to go.

Dropping the ashes:

Cleaning her up:

Meanwhile, up at the car shop, the SW 1 , 8408, gets; the cars ready for the days excursion.

Greenbank Station, where the excursion originates:

11:30, an hour before departure, 98 heads into the station.

I wanted to get some pictures of her in full gallup, but unfortunately, they only run to Mt.Cuba and back on this run, and there isn’t any place to get off the road between here and there.

I’ve lived here for 40 some years and knew about this RR, but didn’t know it was popular. It’s only a 1/2 hour away and runs along the Red Clay creek up to Hockessin. Very scenic ride, I had the chance to ride with Andrew, one of the track crew, clearing the line prior to an excursion, and had a ball.

Back in June they got their SW1 back after being refurbished, and had a ceremony.

It’s been interesting, to say the least!..

#2

Neato, ken… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#3

Damnation…I see no button to take that thanks back from dad and give it to Ken like I wanted too originally !

Dad deserves no thanks!

#4

Had my eyeball that line on my to do list Ken …didn’t know you playing in their sandbox !

Nice!

#5

Nice pics Ken. Guess I’ll be down in the future for this ride too. Building a RR and volunteering all together keeps you off the streets at night(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#6

My oldest boy and his girlfriend are riding the "Hayride Express " on Friday nite. Evidently she’s a big fan of the RR. He’s ridden it quite a few times. I’m planning on the Back Burner Dinner Train on Thursday, which features the Doodlebug.

#7

Very Cool Ken! I didn’t realize that was down there. Also great that they have you sucked in and working on it. It’s really great to see all the different places that our large scale guys are involved with, and keeping going. This gal of your son’s sounds like a keeper. Good for him and you. I look forward to further updates.

#8

Lou Luczu told me about a class he was attending there called “Railroad 101”. I’m glad he did, so I signed up for it last year. I learned alot about this RR and RR’s in general. Well worth it.

Unfortunately, we can’t do the dinner train since the wife has to work late. Hopefully I’ll get some shots of the Doodlebug while I’m down there Thursday nite before it leaves…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#9

I wish I lived closer. The class was great, I learned a lot. We signed up to volunteer, but it is too far, and my wife and I have so many other things going on, we just couldn’t make it.

As the Cubbies used to say “Maybe next year.”

#10

Great pics, and what a gorgeous loco!!

#11

Not the best pictures, but it’ll give you an idea of what it looks like. It originally had a gasoline powered motor, but that was replaced by a diesel by the PRR sometime in the 40’s.

Fortunately, I had a chance to work on the Freight Shed next to the station last nite, so I got a close up inspection of her.

#12

Wow, sweet! That’s a very nice motor car Ken. I really have more of an appreciation for these now that I got my First ride in M1 at the FEBT reunion this year. It’s probably a slow and smooth runner with that diesel in there. The M1 tends to be a bit high strung with it’s gasoline motor. Thanks for the shots. I’ve been enjoying learning about the W&W RR.

#13

The only drawback to the Engineer was sitting practically next to a running diesel engine! So back in the day there were a lot of deaf people.

Huh?

#14

Great photos, reminded me of my days at Steamtown as part of the train crew getting ready for the days operations.

#15

Lou Luczu said:

The only drawback to the Engineer was sitting practically next to a running diesel engine! So back in the day there were a lot of deaf people.

Huh?

There are still a lot of deaf people. And there will be a lot of deaf people in the up and coming generation. Judging by all the cars who’s truck lids vibrate due to the volume setting of the car stereo.

That there is a nice looking self propelled rail-car slumbering there. Thanks for sharing.

#16

#17

Nice shot Ken(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)