Wilmington and Western 98

• Comment: Not enough citations to significant coverage in reliable, independent, secondary sources (the museum is not an independent source). Trainsandotherthings (talk) 17:32, 11 November 2022 (UTC)

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Wilmington and Western No. 98 is a preserved 4-4-0 American-type steam locomotive. It was built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York, in January 1909 for the Mississippi Central Railroad. 98 served in passenger service over an extensive 35-year period before being retired by the railroad in December 1944. In 1947, Paulsen Spence, chairman of the Louisiana Eastern Railroad, purchased No. 98, continuing in operation until 1960. From then on, it was purchased again by Thomas C. Marshall Jr., the founder of the Wilmington and Western Railroad and Historic Red Clay Valley, inc. In 1961, 98 became stored at the Strasburg Railroad. It is rumored that Strasburg crews wanted to operate 98, which is how it ended up being painted in a Strasburg paint scheme. 98 was moved to the Wilmington and Western in 1964, and following an extensive overhaul, it returned to operation in the Fall of 1972, and is now one of only two American-type locomotives in regular service East of the Mississippi River. In December 1996, 98 briefly operated in its late Mississippi Central Railroad appearance with a centered headlight and relocation of the bell. 98 returned to its W&W paint scheme after 1997. Since 2017, 98 has been out of service for its Federally Mandated 1,472-Day inspection, and it will likely return to steam by 2023.

Wilmington and Western 98
Wilmington and Western engine 98 in 2006
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder ALCO’s Schenectady Works Serial number 45921 Build date January 1909
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0  • UIC 2′B h2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 69 in (1.753 m) Wheelbase 23.83 ft (726 cm) ​  • Engine 56.29 ft (1,716 cm)  • Drivers 8.50 ft (259 cm) Adhesive weight 91,000 lb (46 short tons; 41,000 kg) Loco weight 135,000 lb (68 short tons; 61,000 kg) Tender weight 117,000 lb (59 short tons; 53,000 kg) Total weight 252,000 lb (126 short tons; 114,000 kg) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 12 t (26,000 lb) Water cap. 5,000 imp gal (23,000 L; 6,000 US gal) Boiler pressure 180 psi (1.24 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Stephenson
Performance figures Tractive effort 20,812 pounds-force (92.58 kN) Factor of adh. 4.37
Career Operators Mississippi Central Railroad Wilmington and Western Railroad Class N/A Number in class 1 Numbers 98 Retired 1960 Restored 1972 Current owner Wilmington and Western Railroad Disposition Undergoing overhaul in Wilmington, Delaware

History