THE HISTORY & FEATURES OF THE MAGIC AGE OF STEAM

Delaware, were opened to the public as the ‘Magic Age of
Steam.’ It is hoped that this facility will take its place
among northern Delaware’s fine tourist attractions, and in
addition to providing a history of steam during its heyday in
America, will also provide good, wholesome fun for all ages.

The exciting ‘Auburn Valley,’ the smallest commercial
railroad in the world, will haul happy youngsters and adults around
its 1/3 mile loop on weekends and holidays from mid-April to
mid-November. This line, which was originally constructed in 1960,
is largely double-tracked, with new features including a steel
trestle 95′ long and a tunnel 90′ long plus approaches. The
track passes a small lake in process of completion, passes over a
real operating turntable, past three stations and two grade
crossings, and two trains operate in different directions, passing
on double-tracked sections of the Line.

The Museum itself contains 15 Stanley Steam Cars from 1902 to
1922, one 1907 White Steamer, one 1901 Toledo, Jr. Steamer, two
Double Steamers built in the mid twenties, a huge 1917 Pierce
Arrow, a 1911 Model T Ford, and a 1915 Rauch & Lang Electric
Car which ran on 45 cells of storage batteries. One of the Stanleys
operates in place, and all the moving parts can be examined in
motion. On special occasions, one of the big Stanley Mountain
Wagons will be carrying passengers around the grounds. In addition
to the cars, there is a display of model stationary engines,
several of which are running by steam, and at least one of the
small locomotives, of which there are six in the Museum, will be
turning over on its own power as well. A simulated train ride on an
old-time steam train will be offered during the cold weather
months, when the outside activities are closed down. The Museum
itself will be open year-round.

‘Steam rides’ will be increased as time goes on. Several
stationary engines of varying sizes have been acquired to power
little ‘lake steamers,’ a small merry-go-round, and a
Toonerville Trolley. A big Corliss engine built in 1906 will be set
up outside the Museum alongside a 1920 Buffalo-Springfield steam
roller weighing 18 tons. These will also operate by steam for the
enjoyment of visitors to the grounds, and you will want to sample
that delicious steam-made popcorn!

For definition purposes, we consider the Age of Steam in America
from the end of the Civil War until the early 1920s. T. Clarence
Marshall was born into this Age, and he loved it dearly. As a young
lad he worked on the steam boilers and the Corliss Engines in his
father’s paper mill, and at the age of 19 built his first steam
automobile. From 1910 until 1920, he was the agent for Stanley
Steam Cars in Chester County, Pennsylvania and the state of
Delaware. He traveled to the Stanley factory in Newton,
Massachusetts, several times and met the Stanley twins. After 20
years away from steam cars (1920-1940), he bought back a 1913
Stanley Touring Car he had sold when new, and thus, just prior to
World War II, Mr. Marshall started the collection which is now part
of the ‘Magic Age of Steam.’ The Museum building was
constructed in 1947, and soon was full of antique automobiles, most
of them steamers. In addition to restoring some 20 steam cars, Mr.
Marshall turned to the construction of small live-steam
locomotives, with the final result being the present-day
‘Auburn Valley.’

Thomas C. Marshall, Jr., who from childhood shared his
father’s interest in everything powered by steam, and Weldin V.
Stumpf, who began his steam training as a boiler maker for the
Pennsylvania Railroad many years ago, took up where Mr. Marshall,
Sr., left off, and have developed the facility as you presently see
it. We hope you will find it of interest, and will come back and
visit us often.

For information write: Magic Age of Steam, Yorklyn, Delaware
19736. Phone (302) 239-2385.