This vintage locomotive, built by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York, has already passed the century mark. Built in 1909 (construction #45921), Number 98 first kept busy on the Mississippi Central and Louisiana Eastern railroads. In 1966, the steam locomotive began its Wilmington & Western era, serving the communities along Delaware's Red Clay Creek, transporting freight and moving passengers. In 1977, the locomotive was donated to the non-profit, historic attraction of the Red Clay Valley. As a tourist railroad, the train follows the tracks of the Wilmington & Western. The rail tour winds its way through Red Clay Valley's gentle hills, wooded forestland and wide-open meadows near Route 41, west of Wilmington.
   Locomotive #98, with a 4-4-0 wheel arrangement, follows the line of 25,000 locomotives built between 1837 and 1920. The wheel arrangement was so popular, it earned the nickname of American Standard. Built to last 100 years, the locomotive was taken off-line in 2017 for a major inspection. Number 98 is currently out of service for a mandated inspection, and hopefully one day soon it will be seen powering its way along the Wilmington & Western Railroad tracks again.

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