Caboose heads to Lewes

Work is underway to transport a restored Pennsylvania Railroad caboose from Georgetown to Lewes, where it will be displayed on a preserved track between the Lewes Public Library and the Rollins Community Center. 

Through the efforts of the Lewes Junction Railroad & Bridge Association, the caboose was purchased last December from the defunct Delaware Coast Line Railroad. Since then, volunteers have been scraping, painting and cleaning the interior of the car. Recently, a professional exterior paint job was completed. The caboose is the first piece in a planned exhibit that will tell Lewes’ rich railroad history.

The caboose, built in 1917, last operated under DCLR’s banner on the tracks that served SPI Pharma near Cape Henlopen State Park. The caboose also saw service on the Queen Anne’s Railroad, a tourist train in operation during the early 1990s.

A 210-foot portion of original track was preserved by the City of Lewes and Delaware Department of Transportation to showcase rolling stock and interpret the significant part railroading played in the history of Sussex County. LJRBA previously partnered with both entities to save and display the historic railroad swing bridge that spanned the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal for 106 years. That bridge is now permanently displayed along the rail trail at the intersection of American Legion Road.

To support LJRBA’s efforts and learn more, go to lewesjunctionrr.org.