Wilmington & Western Railroad Volunteers Rally For Accountability And Reform

Concerned Volunteers of the WWRR organized a peaceful protest at Greenbank Station on April 10 to raise awareness about their concerns. (Photo: The Concerned Volunteers of the WWRR FB Page)

WILMINGTON- A group of members and volunteers of the Wilmington & Western Railroad (WWRR), operating under the name “Concerned Volunteers of the WWRR,” has spoken out regarding recent decisions and actions taken by the railroad’s Board of Directors.

This group, organized through Facebook, is raising alarms over what they describe as a lack of transparency, diminished communication, and troubling leadership choices by the Board of the Historic Red Clay Valley, Inc., the nonprofit that oversees the heritage railroad.

Tensions have been building since late 2024, when the railroad’s Master Mechanic resigned. Following a successful holiday season, the Board announced a temporary shutdown of operations, citing the need for equipment repairs. However, volunteers were largely prohibited from assisting with these repairs, including the organization’s paid Volunteer Program Manager, who was barred from entering the shop and coordinating volunteer work.

“We believe the Board’s decisions have increasingly diverged away from the best interests of the membership. As a result, a loosely organized group of volunteers and members banded together to raise awareness of what was happening to an organization that we love,” The Concerned Volunteers wrote in a statement to Delaware Live.

The situation escalated on April 3, 2025, when the Board terminated three staff members: the General Manager, the Volunteer Program Manager, and the part-time Accounting Manager, a 30-year railroad veteran. According to the Concerned Volunteers group, these actions, coupled with earlier decisions by the Board, have left many volunteers feeling alienated and silenced.

In response, the group organized a peaceful protest at Greenbank Station on April 10 to raise awareness about their concerns.

“Since the Board has not sufficiently responded to any of our questions and concerns, we felt silenced and alienated. So we decided to peacefully protest at the railroad’s Greenbank Station as a way of letting our voice be heard.”

The protest drew support from nearly 30 volunteers and supporters, with many members of the public honking and waving in solidarity as they passed by. The protest aimed to bring attention to the Board’s recent decisions and the broader implications for the railroad’s future.

“The Wilmington & Western Railroad is a beloved institution in the state of Delaware, and we were thrilled that so many people drove by, honked and waved to show their support.”

The group specifically asks the Board to provide clear information regarding plans to reopen the railroad. Their questions include whether there is a timeline for reopening, how management will be structured moving forward, particularly in light of recent firings, and what specific equipment repairs are necessary to resume operations.

“We also want to raise awareness about the recent irresponsible decisions by the Board, and we are seeking transparency about the Board’s decision-making practices.”

The volunteers also voiced concerns over the Board’s communication style. They allege that the Board has failed to engage in meaningful dialogue with volunteers, even during key annual events such as the Volunteer Awards Banquet and the Safety & Rules Class. As of April 16, no official communication regarding the recent staff terminations or future plans has been shared with the broader membership.

The Concerned Volunteers assert that this is part of a larger governance issue. They highlight a 2020 amendment to the organization’s bylaws that allowed the Board to self-elect and self-appoint members, effectively removing the ability of volunteers and members to participate in leadership elections. The group argues that this change has compromised accountability and excluded stakeholders from decision-making processes critical to the organization’s mission.

Following the protest, the Railroad’s official Facebook page briefly posted a message, which was later taken down. The entire Facebook presence of the Wilmington & Western Railroad has since been removed. The Concerned Volunteers suggest that this move resulted in the loss of a large online following and further illustrates the Board’s approach to public relations and member engagement.

Adding to the unrest, at least two volunteers have reportedly declined recent invitations by the Board to participate in railroad operations. One long-time volunteer shared the following statement regarding their decision:

“While I remain committed to the success of the railroad, I cannot in good conscience support the current leadership. I declined the invitation and made it clear that I do not believe the Board is acting in good faith. Until meaningful change occurs and our membership is given a voice in leadership decisions, I will continue to withhold my support. I encourage fellow volunteers to consider the implications of their support and the message it sends when deciding whether or not to donate their time.”

The Concerned Volunteers of the WWRR continue to call for transparency, accountability, and a return to a governance structure that includes input from the railroad’s dedicated volunteers and members.

As the organization’s leadership remains silent on plans and internal restructuring, the Concerned Volunteers say they will continue to use their communication platforms to inform supporters, advocate for reform, and work toward what they describe as a more inclusive and representative future for the Wilmington & Western Railroad.