The last standard gauge 4-4-0 that still operates with any regularity is the former Mississippi Central #98, now owned by the Wilmington & Western Railroad. She is seen here, crossing the icy Red Clay Creek, in the town of Mt. Cuba, Delaware. Built by the American Locomotive Works in 1909, she served her original owner until 1945. After 15 years at Gulf Sand & Gravel, she was acquired in 1960 by Thomas Marshall, one of the principals of Historic Red Clay Valley, the parent organization of the Wilmington & Western Railroad, in Greenbank, DE. She was moved to Delaware in 1966 and has been a mainstay of that line's steam stable ever since. Yes, there are a few other standard gauge 4-4-0s that are still technically operable, but they are all museum-bound. If you want to see a real American stretch her legs in the countryside, you'll need to come to Wilmington, Delaware.
