September 24, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Carole Wells, 302.998.1930

In June of 2007, the Delaware legislature honored the Wilmington & Western with the title of "Delaware's Operating Railroad Museum." The complete text of the resolution follows:

Whereas, since 1867, the Wilmington & Western Railroad has served the communities along the Red Clay Creek, first as a for-profit transportation route for freight and passengers, and now as a non-profit, historic tourist railroad, and

Whereas, the Wilmington & Western Railroad is owned and operated by the Historic Red Clay Valley, Inc., which was formed in 1960, and started running steam passenger service on the Landenberg branch of the B&O Railroad in 1966, and

Whereas, the Historic Red Clay Valley, Inc. purchased the railroad line in 1982, the same year the railroad became listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and

Whereas the Wilmington & Western Railroad has been in continuous operation since 1872, and

Whereas, in 1999 the Wilmington & Western Railroad suffered major damage from Hurricane Floyd, damaging lines that were rebuilt thanks to FEMA and private donations, and

Whereas, in 2003 the railroad was further devastated from the remnants of Tropical Storm Henri, and

Whereas, after almost four years of planning and execution the Wilmington & Western Railroad is now nearing the end of the repairs to the tracks and bridges, and

Whereas, the Wilmington & Western Railroad will be holding a "Golden Spike Ceremony" on June 30th, 2007 to celebrate the grand re-opening of their entire 10-mile line this year, and returning to Hockessin for the first time in over three years, and

Whereas, the Wilmington & Western Railroad is an all-volunteer railroad that operates more than 300 excursion trains per year with over 25,000 visitors each year, and

Whereas, the Wilmington & Western Railroad is considered one of Delaware's top twenty tourist attractions

Now Therefore:
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 144th General Assembly that we hereby designate the Wilmington & Western Railroad as Delaware's Operating Railroad Museum.

Be it further resolved that we hereby extend our congratulations to the Wilmington & Western Railroad on its grand re-opening and wish it continued success as one of Delaware's top tourist attractions and only operating railroad museum.

Be it further resolved that we hereby encourage all Delawareans and visitors to this great state to join in the celebration of the Wilmington & Western Railroad by taking a ride on its rails.