Inaugural Run of Restored B&O SW-1

May 1, 2016 was a historic day at the Wilmington & Western Railroad, outside of Wilmington, DE - as a newly restored diesel locomotive returned to her home rails to pull a trip for the first time in a very long time. The locomotive in question? Former Baltimore and Ohio EMD SW-1 #8408 - back from a lengthy rehabilitation.
Originally built in July of 1940, this longtime workhorse of the B&O and W&W has spent her entire career plying the rails of this area, so she is right at home (literally) on this stretch of railroading. Courtesy of McHugh Locomotive & Equipment, the engine was extensively overhauled and re-painted into her historic B&O paint scheme, and returned to service on May 1. The only thing missing? Her B&O herald from the front of the engine - which will be applied at her official dedication on Saturday, May 28 at the W&W. Don't miss this chance to be a part of history once again - and enjoy the video!

[@paulne1514]

I know I’m old when locomotives, cars and trucks I used to operate, are RESTORED!

[@trainmaster844]

Fantastic to see #8408 back at work again! Great GoPro angles, too! Well done as always, Jim!

[@Bigjimvideo]

Thanks! The angle ideas go to Steve and Christian - they actually requested those angles themselves - and they worked really well!

[@passacaglia28]

I love everything about this video, including the sound!

[@Bigjimvideo]

Fantastic to hear!!

[@telsport]

I can see a lot of work went into this. Nice.indeed.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Thanks - or do you mean the work on the engine? LOL

[@apocalypserailroad9047]

Wow!.. what a thing of beauty!!! Great video of a great locomotive(s)!!! Love that B&O blue & gold. I have a bitter-sweet love affair with these old diesels. They are what actually brought steam to an end, but they are so old, and so cool, you just got to love them!! And look at that thin, barbed wire fence for rail it's running on... couldn't get more authentic unless you went back in time. :) Thanks for sharing! Love it!!

[@Bigjimvideo]

You're welcome! I'm glad you liked it!

[@100_blackrock7]

Superb video!

[@Bigjimvideo]

Thank you very much!

[@mojostevo]

Very well shot video, thank you!

[@TrainWizardProductions]

Beautiful restoration job and video!

[@Bigjimvideo]

It definitely is a beauty! Thanks!

[@danehill9346]

Some awesome shots, Jim. Another good video!

[@Bigjimvideo]

Thanks a lot!

[@bradhassler1]

I remember as a kid, we had #8403 in our local yard in Indiana

[@Bigjimvideo]

Very cool!

[@chrisreed26]

Great to see an old EMD saved from the scrap yard...I come from a railroad family and have many old books and manuals on the various models mostly from the 40's-60's..On a side note, it looks like the one item that escaped restoration was the wiper motor..that poor thing is trying it's best and looks like it's on it's last leg haha..Probably air operated? I don't know..

[@Bigjimvideo]

I'm not sure about the specifics of the last bit with the wiper motor - I'd have to check with one of the people at the RR who would know better. But one thing I can tell you is that this definitely wasn't a "scrap yard" engine - it's actually worked in this particular area (and on this branch) for its entire life. For more about the engine, how it served and then got restored, go here: www.wwrr.com/ride/equipment/diesel-locomotives.aspx

[@wwrr98]

As the video description says, this locomotive spent her entire life on this branch. And when Historic Red Clay Valley (HRCV) purchased the branchline from CSX in 1982, #8408 was part of the sale. And at the time, she was still an active yard goat in nearby Wilsmere Yard. So she was never anywhere near scraping. As for the wiper, it is a brand new air powered wiper and I was running it as slow as possible, which is why it was jumping the way it was

[@chrisreed26]

@@wwrr98 Too much defensiveness over an old train's mistaken possible future destination taken out of a compliment!! Seems some old Yankees need to learn some manners and how to say thank you to a compliment instead of being a smart ass!!

[@wwrr98]

@@chrisreed26 My apologies, but I think you are the one who needs to learn some manners before calling somebody a smartass, because that wasn't my intention. I was simply explaining the locomotive's history to you so you understand that she was never on a path to being scrapped. A simple thank you for cluing you in would be appreciated though

[@nevetslegasi5686]

That's just beautiful.

[@Bigjimvideo]

It really is! Thanks!

[@Hendo56]

Great video! Spacious cab. Always wondered what they looked like inside.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Those are surprisingly spacious indeed. Thanks!

[@Jared-91]

Big Jim, you do good work!

[@ricardojuricic9027]

10:25 B&O 8406 almost stalls, any help from the rear helper; or that was intended to be as far up trip went?? Thanks for the ride, highly appreciated! Nice video🤙👍👏👏 When is the bell used? In shunting areas?? I'mn't from US and not up to all of your traffic regulations. Cheers from 🇦🇷 Argentina Richard

[@martanpan]

6:10 That's a mighty tight fit!

[@Bigjimvideo]

Indeed it is - but everything that they have run fits through the rock cut!

[@mojostevo]

Also, nice to see 114 getting some rail-time.

[@telsport]

sweet horn.

[@1940limited]

The first two coaches look like former DL&W open vestibule cars to me. I remember when they ran on the Boonton line and other branches of the Lackawanna in NJ.

[@ddteamrc6461]

That happened 😳 to the B&O crest on the grill ?

[@Bigjimvideo]

Not on that day for whatever reason.

[@kalenc515]

What horn is that

[@MP34.9]

why was the conductor waving his arm while approaching the crossing. just curious

[@Bigjimvideo]

I believe to signal to the engineer (instead of just verbally, since it gets rather noisy in there) that the crossing ahead is clear of cars/people/things.

[@wwrr98]

Coleto Creek Rail Productions pretty much what Jim said. Our procedure when approaching a crossing at grade is to acknowledge either verbally or with a hand gesture that the lights are activated then confirm that the crossing is clear, either verbally or with a hand gesture.

[@MP34.9]

Delaware Train Videos ah. I gotcha. Thanks

[@mafarnz]

The visual is nice but the audio is badly blown out in most spots.

[@BenjaminEsposti]

Why is the door open at 4:25 ?

[@Bigjimvideo]

To be honest with you, I'm not sure. I think I was told before, but if I was, I don't remember the answer now.

[@wwrr98]

Those doors can be a little cantankerous. Decided to open itself while rolling along

[@JasonSchaedlerVideos]

Awesome video! So I'll be chasing the trips on 6/11 and 6/12, do you have any idea when I should go to the shops to see 98 and 126 head to the station in the morning or when to see them head back to the shops at night?

[@Bigjimvideo]

+Jason Schaedler It depends, sometimes they bring the train to the station an hour before the trips or earlier - it may be a half hour or more for when they take the trains back after the train arrives at the station. It's different each day/situation. Hope that helps!

[@EasternCoastProductions]

Nice Nathan M3RT1

[@wwrr98]

Eastern Coast Productions Actually just a regular M3

[@benbuslett956]

Love it

[@jakebrown5971]

Why doesn't Steve post KZbin videos anymore?

[@Bigjimvideo]

Steve who?

[@jakebrown5971]

He runs Delaware Train Videos and works at the W&W. He stopped posting videos for a while but he just started to again.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Ah. He's been a very busy man at the W&W.

[@wwrr98]

My apologies for my lack of videos, but as Jim said, I am very busy at the W&W. I was promoted to Instructing Engineer earlier this year and have been at the W&W just about every weekend this year, whether training new engineers or filling in when trains are short staffed. Plus, to be honest, lack of interest. I've found it much more enjoyable to be on the train instead of trackside. I may one day return to making videos, but also, they don't compare to some of the other guys on here making videos, like Big Jim here.

[@jakebrown5971]

Delaware Train Videos Congrats on the promotion. You guys do a great job at the W&W. I live nearby in PA

[@Conductor7706]

needs a better horn

[@lilcattythewildnorwester7786]

Why you said ? . I think that horn is better to me

[@RailsOfTheMidwest]

Lol these things can only pull 5 cars

[@Bigjimvideo]

They can definitely pull more...just on this RR they don't have to.

[@Romans--bo7br]

Great Restoration, guys! But.... "she" sure smokes pretty badly for being a reman prime mover.

[@billfitzpatrick6910]

This guy really likes the damned horn. How is it in Europe (and everywhere else for that matter) they rarely use horns. I guess their governments just assume that most people are bright enough to observe the signs AND the red flashing lights AND the crossarms with the reflector tape .They don't need horns that are so loud that the engine crew wear ear plugs. Crossing signals should only be standard traffic lights or stop signs.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Well, that's Europe. Here it's two longs, one short, and one long whistle (or horn) for each crossing - and most of this footage is taken from/at crossings (since this line is mostly only accessible at crossings, unless you walk in along the line to get certain shots, and then that's only with crew/rr permission to be on their right of way). Otherwise, yeah - we have to blow the horns/whistles here.

[@billfitzpatrick6910]

My point is WHY? It is ridiculous to make that much noise . Just flat out ridiculous. It's not your fault or problem. You have to obey the stupid assed regs. but WHY?

[@williamjackson5942]

As others have said idiots insist on trying to beat the train to the crossing.

[@cpufreak101]

@@billfitzpatrick6910 put it simply, it's as they say, people here are morons with crossing gates, flashing lights, and bells somehow not being enough for them. There is also the issue of rural crossings having none of the above so the horn is the only device warning of an approaching train.

[@billfitzpatrick6910]

@@@cpufreak101 At one time the rural crossings had "stop look and listen" signs and that was that. People were expected to watch out for their own dumbasses. That was before we had so many damned lawyers willing to take any thing at all to court to sue everyone and their dog