In General
Getting Here
Maps
Sights
RAILFAN GUIDES HOME
RAILROAD SIGNALS HOME
Location / Name:
Delamr DE, Sussex County
What's Here:
Ball Signal
Railroad Park
Demarva Central RR runs N/S thru town
Data:
GPS Coordinates: 38.45648, -75.57795
Phone A/C: 302
ZIP: 19940
Access by train/transit:
None
Geography:
Flat
The Scoop:
Delmar's claim to fame for us railfans is the Ball Signal located there, alongside the tracks of the Delmarva Central RR (DCR), which years ago, pre 1968, was the Pennsylvania RR. It sits in an open railpark, along with a former PRR Caboose, numbered "76", maybe renumbered for the bi-centennial in 1976???
DCR's headquarters is ~32 miles (51km) north in Harrington DE.
Bridgeville DE, 19 miles (~31km) north, has a small depot of interest.
Acknowledgements:
Google Maps
highballsignal.com
Wikipedia
Websites and other additional information sources of interest for the area:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highball_Signal
https://www.highballsignal.com/history
https://auburnheights.org/bob-wilhelms-qa/rare-item/ has the best info on the signal!
From the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, come across US-50, and take the MD-404 turnoff about 16 miles from the Bay Bridge. This will take you to into Bridgeville DE. MD-404 turns into DE-404, thank both of the DOT's for keeping the route number the same! :-)
The reason I'm taking you thru Bridgeville is because there is a small depot worth getting a picture of if you're going to make this trek into the bowls of the Eastern Shore.
From Bridgeville, take US-13 south about 19 miles (~31km) into Delmar, and take right onto East State St, Rt 76. The tracks and park are about 1 mile off 13.
From the north, US-13 brings you almost straight down from places like Wilmington DE and I-95. Keep in mind that you are traversing the entire length of Delaware, so the drive is about 90 miles (146km).
From the south, say Norfolk, again, it's US-13. It's about a 125 mile (200km) ride from Virginia Beach and Norfolk, but you get to go over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which in it's own right, is awe inspiring!!!
Rail Park and Ball SignalGPS Coordinates: 38.45648, -75.57795
from highballsignal.com
Delmar Model RR Club
103 E State St, Delmar MD 21875
302-548-4586
Using Google Maps, the address comes up as Maryland, but with a Delaware phone number. The state line looks like it runs down the middle of the street.... ????
None for now......
Disclaimers:
New format 10/26/23: Please check out my disclaimer page for my standard dribble and contact info here
RAILFAN GUIDES HOME
RAILROAD SIGNALS HOME
NEW 07/02/2024
Last Modified 02-Jul-2024