Wilmington & Western volunteer group raising funds for legal battle with board

 The group reported that progress has been made in dealing with its concerns.

Concerned Volunteers is demanding that railroad members, many of whom are volunteers, vote for board representatives. Like most nonprofits, the board, led by Glasgow homebuilder and shopping center owner Robert Peoples, Jr., elects its members.

The group earlier staged a protest outside the passenger  boarding area for the railroad.

Wilmington & Western operates through membership revenue, fares, and contributions. Based on IRS filings, the railroad has posted losses but received funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 The board has not commented on the dispute involving one of northern Delaware's leading tourist attractions.  

 Wilmington & Western has been in operation for six decades, making trips from the Greenbank area west of Wilmington to the Hockessin area. The line operates in. ahilly and scenic area along Red Clay Creek.

 Over the years, it has received federal funding after sections were washed out from hurricane-related flooding.

 Members of the group have expressed concerns over the possibility that the nonprofit could be sold. Based on a 2023 IRS filing, the railroad had a strong balance sheet with more than $12 million in assets.

Excursion railroads are often profitable  enterprises, thanks in part to volunteers who do repair work, take tickets and perform other tasks. Challenges include an aging group of volunteers and skills needed to rebuild and maintain old locomotives and rolling stock.

Revenues are fueled by special events catering to families during holiday periods like Easter and Christmas.

The railroad does not post financial information on its website, a common practice by nonprofits.

 The board shut down the railroad in late February and later  dismissed most of its full-time staff, citing the need for repairs. Some volunteers have been working on the railroad's equipment with  the railroad is taking applications and approaching volunteers who could do repair and other work

 A social media post, at one pointed,  stated that the railroad would resume operations later this year. However, the post and the organization's Facebook page were quickly taken down after criticism of the board in the comments section.