Wilmington & Western Railroad
A real heritage railroad with steam and diesel trains, themed family rides, and a Wilmington tradition.
The Quick Version
- • Heritage railroad operating out of Greenbank Station in Wilmington. Steam and diesel-hauled excursions through the Red Clay Creek Valley.
- • Themed rides are the family draw: Easter Bunny Express (spring), Great Pumpkin Express (October), Santa Claus Express (December), Holiday Lights Express (December), Hayrides, and more.
- • Tickets sell out for big seasonal rides — book in advance.
- • Most excursions are about 1.5 hours round-trip; some run 2.5 hours. Shorter themed rides like Easter Bunny Express run ~50 minutes. Check the specific event.
Best Ages
1-10
Plan For
1.5-2 hours for most rides; longer for 2.5-hour excursions, ~50 minutes for Easter Bunny Express
Adults
Varies by event — typically $15-25 for regular excursions, more for themed rides
Kids
Varies by event — typically $10-20
What to Expect
The W&W is the real thing — a working heritage railroad with restored locomotives and vintage cars running on the original Wilmington & Western line through the Red Clay Creek Valley. For a kid who loves trains, this is the trip.
Regular excursions are about 90 minutes to 2 hours round-trip from Greenbank Station to Mt. Cuba or Hockessin and back, with a short stop to turn the locomotive. The cars are vintage — wooden bench seats, open windows in warm weather, the smell of coal smoke on steam trips. It's an actual train ride, not a kiddie ride.
Themed events are where the magic happens. The Easter Bunny Express has the Easter Bunny on board handing out treats (shorter ~50-minute ride). Great Pumpkin Express stops at a pumpkin patch with hayrides and pick-your-own. Santa Claus Express has Santa walking the cars. Holiday Lights Express runs December evenings — a slow ride through illuminated trackside scenes, hot cocoa, and seasonal music. All of these sell out — book early, especially for weekend afternoon slots.
Greenbank Station is small and a little ramshackle in a charming way. Bring snacks, plan to chat with the volunteer crew (they love kids and trains), and don't expect a polished theme-park experience.
The vibe is volunteer-run, train-enthusiast, and family-warm. The crew genuinely wants kids to have a good time, and the operation has been running since the 1960s by a tight-knit group of railroad preservationists.
Who It's Best For
Toddlers and preschoolers are the sweet spot — trains, conductors, and themed characters are pure magic. Babies do fine but won't remember it. Elementary kids enjoy the ride and themed events. Tweens may find it slow unless they're into trains.
Highlights
Great Pumpkin Express
Ages 2-9October weekends. Train ride to a pumpkin patch stop with hayrides, pumpkin picking, and a tractor. The marquee family event — books up months in advance.
Santa Claus Express
Ages 2-9Late November and December. Train ride with Santa walking the cars handing out candy canes. Often combined with cocoa and cookies. Sells out fast.
Easter Bunny Express
Ages 1-7Spring weekends. Easter Bunny rides the train, kids get a treat or small gift. The first big event of the season.
Regular Steam or Diesel Excursions
All agesStandard ~1.5-hour round-trip rides on select weekends spring through fall, with some 2.5-hour options. Less of a production than themed events but a more authentic train experience.
Holiday Lights Express
Ages 3+December evening rides through trackside light displays with hot cocoa and seasonal music. A lower-key alternative to the daytime Santa Claus Express, often better for older kids and adults.
Greenbank Station Itself
Ages 2+Small wooden depot with vintage railroad equipment around the property. Worth a wander before and after your ride. The volunteer crew often lets curious kids peek into the locomotive cab.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Showing up without tickets for themed events. They sell out — confirm your booking before you drive over.
- • Open-air car seats on a cold or rainy day with toddlers. Get the enclosed car.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
Varies by event — typically $15-25 for regular excursions, more for themed rides
Kids
Varies by event — typically $10-20
Under
Lap children (under 2) often free or reduced
Pricing varies significantly by event. Themed rides (Easter Bunny, Great Pumpkin, Santa) are pricier and the seats with the better experience (premium cars, characters on board) sell out first. Check the W&W website for exact pricing.
Membership tip: Historic Red Clay Valley (the nonprofit that operates the railroad) offers memberships if your family rides multiple times a year.
Getting There
Parking
Free lot at Greenbank Station off Newport Gap Pike. Adequate for regular excursions but tight on big themed event days.
On Great Pumpkin Express and Santa Claus Express weekends, the lot fills early. Arrive 30-45 minutes before your train time. Overflow parking is signed.
Entrance
Greenbank Station — the small white wooden depot. Will-call and ticketing happen there.
Parent Logistics
The station and platform are flat and stroller-accessible, but you can't bring a full stroller onto the train cars. Plan to fold and stow it at the station, or use a baby carrier on board. Cars are vintage — narrow aisles and steep steps up.
Restrooms at Greenbank Station and on each coach and the caboose. Per the W&W FAQ, every train carries onboard restrooms. Some excursions also stop at Hockessin Station, which has a restroom too.
Limited. Station restrooms are small and old-school. Change diapers before you board.
The station platform is covered. Train cars are enclosed (open-air cars on some excursions). Once moving, no sun exposure issue.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. Snacks and drinks are available in the Greenbank Station Gift Shop. The on-site snack bar has been closed since June 2023, so don't plan on a hot lunch. Some premium themed rides include light refreshments.
Snack strategy: Eat before you go or grab snacks and drinks from the Gift Shop. Most cars allow drinks and small snacks but check your specific event — some don't. Hockessin's downtown is 5 minutes away if you want lunch before or after.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Book themed rides the day tickets open. Great Pumpkin Express in particular sells out weeks in advance.
- ✓ Bring a baby carrier instead of a stroller — much easier getting on and off the cars.
- ✓ Bring layers in spring and fall. The cars can be cold once you're moving.
- ✓ Wave at the engineer. The kids in the cab will wave back.
- ✓ On themed events, premium cars often include extra perks (better seats, refreshments, character interaction). Worth the upgrade for big-deal occasions.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Spring weekends for the Easter Bunny Express. October weekends for Great Pumpkin Express (the marquee event — books up). December for Santa Claus Express. Regular weekend excursions run through warm months.
Seasonal Notes
Themed events drive most of the schedule: Easter Bunny Express (March–April), Hayrides (fall), Great Pumpkin Express (October), Santa Claus Express (late November–December), Holiday Lights Express (December evenings). Regular non-themed excursions run on select weekends spring through fall. Always check the schedule and book tickets in advance — many themed rides sell out weeks ahead.
Rainy Day?
Trains run rain or shine — a covered enclosed car is a fine rainy-day plan. The station has limited indoor space, so don't plan to linger there pre-boarding in bad weather.
While You're in the Area
Hockessin's small downtown is 5 minutes away for lunch (Back Burner, Drip Cafe, etc.). Mt. Cuba Center is 10 minutes away if you want to add a nature stop.
Upcoming Events
Verified against the venue’s official info.
Last reviewed May 13, 2026. Confirm anything dated (admission, hours, special events) on the venue’s own site before you drive.