LEWES, Del. - A piece of American railroad history is coming back to life, at least in appearance, thanks to a new partnership between the Lewes Junction Railroad & Bridge Association and national rail services provider FMW Solutions.
The two groups have announced plans to complete the cosmetic restoration of Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive No. 60. The iconic engine will become a centerpiece in Lewes’s growing heritage rail display, connecting locals and visitors to the region’s industrial past.
Built for the legendary Pennsylvania Railroad, No. 60 is currently located at the Wilmington & Western Railroad. Restoration work will begin in late summer 2025, with an anticipated unveiling in Lewes by mid-2026.
“This project is one of many our national teams are engaged in, but No. 60’s story and Lewes’s enthusiasm make it especially meaningful,” said Chris Homco, Director of Operations at FMW Solutions. “Our cosmetic team is honored to help complete the Association’s vision for a beautiful community display.”
FMW’s cosmetic restoration team will lead the two-phase effort. First, the locomotive will be disassembled and prepped in Wilmington. It will then be moved to Lewes for reassembly and painting under a custom-built temporary structure.
FMW Solutions is known for preserving rail equipment across the country with an emphasis on historical integrity and craftsmanship. The Lewes Junction group says this restoration is another step toward celebrating Lewes’s railroading roots and creating educational and tourism opportunities for the area, in addition to the already existing display.