On March 2, 2018, an East Penn Railroad freight train heading southwest on the Octoraro Branch derailed after two freight cars were blown over while the train was outside of Oxford, PA. This left the three engines, 2179, 2800, 2173 stranded on the other side of the Octoraro Branch where it no longer connects any mainline. In response to this crisis, the East Penn Railroad contacted the Brandywine Valley Railway in Coatesville for a locomotive so they could operate the remaining half of the Octoraro Branch and the Wilmington & Northern Branch. GMTX no. 227, a former Norfolk Southern MP15DC, is seen here on her first day on the job for the East Penn Railroad. |