From storybook countryside to gorgeous sandy beaches to our namesake river, our petite state isn’t short on natural beauty! But while we’re definitely fans of road trips that showcase everything the Diamond State has to offer, we also love having historic railroads crisscrossing the landscape that let us experience our slice of the Mid-Atlantic from a new perspective. Delaware’s Wilmington & Western is a gorgeous historic railroad that winds through some of the prettiest scenery in the tri-state area for breathtakingly diverse all-season views.

It also offers a number of themed, family, and destination adventures throughout the year. If you’ve ever been undecided about which ride to take, though, worry no more! The WWRR offers an incredible ride along the entire length of track from Greenbank to Hockessin, with a special historic stop along the way that will send you straight back in time!

Built in the mid-1800s to transport goods between the various mills that lined the Red Clay Valley, the Wilmington & Western Railroad officially opened for shared passenger rides in the latter half of the 19th Century.
Wilmington & Western Railroad/Facebook
The original line ran nearly 20 miles from Wilmington to Landenberg, Pennsylvania. A tumultuous railroad industry, combined with the Great Depression, natural disasters, and many other factors wound up shutting the line down for decades. But that all changed in 2007.
M&M Family Trips/GoogleMaps
Today, the historic loop track runs a total of 17 miles through the Red Clay Valley to its endpoint in Hockessin - and the journey is as lovely as you could imagine!
Wilmington & Western Railroad/Facebook
While every trip has something special to offer, the Hockessin Flyer expedition is as beautiful as it gets! Depending on the day, your journey will be led by either a historic diesel locomotive or by one of the antique steam locomotives. Both are true marvels and beautifully restored.
Cortney Ayers/GoogleMaps
The scenery is diverse, winding through impressive rock cuts that look just as they did centuries ago, across beautiful creeks, and up the steepest grade on the entire line.
BP W4BDP/GoogleMaps
You'll traverse rolling landscapes that showcase true Delaware beauty.
Meena/GoogleMaps
From Brandywine Springs Park to Mount Cuba to scenic Wooddale, there's no shortage of natural beauty to admire!

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And pass through charming farm settings and small towns where kind locals will wave as you pass by.
SkyDome VIZE/GoogleMaps
Alicia Gibson/GoogleMaps
Comfy seats and large windows ensure you won't miss a single moment of the trip.
RoadTripper516/TripAdvisor
Be sure to ogle at the incredible craftsmanship inside the train cars as well, though!
Nikki Yoder/GoogleMaps
But the train ride is only half of the fun - your visit to the charming town of Hockessin marks the halfway point of the trip and will add a quaint dose of nostalgia to this scenic rail adventure.
Hockessin Historical Society/Facebook
This lovely village is home to a number of quaint shops, covered bridges, and some history of its own! You'll have around half an hour to explore, hike, walk, and learn as much as you can before you board the train once more - just like back in the WWRR's original days.
Chris Foster/Flickr
All aboard! Your return journey will be just as scenic (perhaps even more so!) as it was when it began, for a total adventure that lasts around 2.5 hours.
Nathan Brosh/GoogleMaps

We love all the many ways there are to experience the beauty of Delaware! For more info about the Hockessin Flyer scenic train ride, or to check out the WWRR’s many other special events, stops, and excursions, visit the Wilmington and Western website or the Events page. New adventures are always being added, and they’re all fantastic!

Looking for more fun in the Wilmington area? Grab a picnic and check out the incredible rock formations at this hidden park in Alapocas Woods.

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Wilmington and Western Railroad, Wilmington, DE, USA