Wilmington Del

wb47:

Since you're taking the train into town, may I assume you won't have access to automobile transportation? Also, are you planning to take pictures or just watch? These factors will have a bearing on recommendations for locations. 

Bob

The train station in Wilmington is beautiful. I would walk on the riverfront behind the station. There is a walking trail that snakes along the river.  There are several restraunts along the way. The riverfront was a shipbuilding and railcar center up to the 1940s. Several cranes, buildings and even an old switcher remain from this era. The Wilmington and Western railroad is about 10 miles from the station. It provides excursions on the weekends in railcars puller by steam or diesel switchers. They have a good website. Justrains is about 20 minutes away in Newark, DE. Have fun.  

Go to the Riverfront complex and have lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. Best place around. No local train stores any more, been gone for years. Closest is Just Trains in Newark. The only rail fanning to be done is right there in the station. Some of the old PRR buildings have been preserved in the area around the station, and the rail traffic only goes through the station complex on the High Speed Line. There is a car rental place there if your going to be around for a while so you can travel some.

Gandy

Thanks for the suggestions, we are looking forward to our time there. 

You might want to travel a little farther north to Philly next Saturday where you have two options.

1. Philly and beyound forum members are having an outing: Lunch, Nicholos Smith store, and a visit to Eric Hofberg's layout. Check thread: "Breakfast/lunch in the Philly area" I think someone would be willing to pick you up, etc.

2. The 11th is National Train Day and Philly's 30th Street Station [Amtrak Station] is having big doings.

Sorry I will not be able to take advantage of either of these as I am committed to a Wedding that day.

If you are looking for a great steak go to Harry's Savoy on Nammans Road. You will not be disappointed.

Wilmington & Western RR -  if you have means to a car

wwrr.com

There you go. That's the primary reason why I asked the original poster if he will have access to a car since the railroad will be operating Sunday.

I also like the suggestion about taking the train to Philadelphia as the city still offers up a lot for the railfan.

Bob

Magnificently restored, 30th Street Station in Philly is an attraction in itself. Off the concourse is a food court. Go to the upper level to board SEPTA. Ask at the ticket booth, "When is the next train to Center City?" Take that train (free for Amtrak passengers) and get off at the second stop, Market Street East. Take 2 escalators and watch Reading Terminal train shed unfold over head. It once spanned 13 tracks. It is the largest single-span train shed in America.

Ride 1 escalator down to street level. Enjoy lunch and/or dinner at Reading Terminal Market (www.readingterminalmarket.org). Returning, board any train at Track 3 or Track 4. One platform serves both tracks.

The Franklin Institute (www.fi.edu) is within walking distance along Benjamin Franklin Parkway. That is the home of Baldwin 3-cylinder compound 4-10-2 No. 60000 (The Train Factory). Other attractions are the Fels Planetarium and an IMAX theater.

From 30th Street Station, NJ Transit runs trains to Atlantic City. That's another possibility.

Come to think of it, SEPTA has a museum at 1234 Market Street, between City Hall and Reading Terminal. To the right (west) of City Hall is Macy's - formerly John Wanamaker, a Philadelphia landmark.

The Amtrak station is a beautiful holdover from the PRR days and was just refurbished. Allow some time there. On the south side of the tracks at street level is the restored B&O station. The river front is worth it, too.

Stay at the Hotel DuPont. It is a gem of a hotel and by far the best place in Wilmington.

If you are a beer guy the Iron Hil Brewery is a must-stop.

For a little more upscale fare I like Domaine Hudson on the north side of downtown.

If you can get out of downtown the Wilmington & Western RR and DuPont's Hagley Museum are must-see's.

There's not much to do in downtown at night so plan accordingly.

There's a show at the DuPont Theatre. The Blue Rocks are away. (Minor league team for KC Royals)

A train from 30th St. station can take you to the airport. From there, you can go to Paris.

Or you could go to London and take the train through the channel tunnel ("chunnel") to Paris. The ride from London to the National Railway Museum in York is a FINE experience.