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This historical geocache is not at the listed coordinates. It involves a multi-stage approach. Both locations are loaded with history.
To solve the final coordinates, you must visit the listed coordinates and solve the puzzle. You do not have to enter the building.
Stage 1 (at listed coordinates): The building you see here once welcomed travelers as they arrived by train and also saw members of the community as they left to serve during World War II. Following an extensive restoration by the Town of Laurel and other local and state agencies, this former train station now houses a museum. It features an extensive collection of historical documents and photos from the Laurel Historical Society as well as objects from the collections of the Society and the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. At the listed coordinates, you are actually standing at the rear of the building. To solve the puzzle, continue to face this side of the building. Go to the entrance door and find the small plaque beside the door. Answers A—D are found on that plaque:
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STAGE 1 PUZZLE:
A = The sum of the letters in the fourth and fifth words on the plaque
B = The first numeral on the plaque
C = The number of words in the second line on the plaque
D = The number which represents one-half of the value of the last numeral on the plaque
To find “E & F”, you must go around to the track-side of the building. Notice the great views up and down the tracks. Notice the museum’s very interesting building structure. Picture it as the bustling station it once was. Notice that this is actually the front side of the building and it also has double doors. Stand near them and look down at the edge of the tracks to FIND THE NUMBERS engraved there.
The numbers are preceded by the letter “R” and they are engraved in the following order: R - _ _ _ _ -_ _ _ PS.
E = The sum of the third and the sixth number in the sequence on the track
F = The second numeral minus the third numeral in the sequence on the track .
Final = N 38 33. ABC W 075 34.DEF
Checksum = 23
EXTRA: If you are into gathering Benchmarks, please take notice of the Geodetic Survey Marker near the original coordinates and the parking area of Stage 1.
Stage 2 (final): Please remember to sign the log and don't forget your pen.
A famous train wreck took place in Laurel on June 20, 1904. The “Norfolk Express”, a Pennsylvania Railroad train, plunged through an open drawbridge and landed in the river just as the schooner, “Golden Gate”, was passing under the open bridge. The crew of the vessel jumped into the river and swam ashore. The engineer of the train lost his life in the accident, but no one else was injured. These final coordinates will take you to a location that is worthy of your photographs and is interestingly related to this train wreck. It happened HERE!
(See attached photo gallery)
The geocache that you seek is a rather large vitamin bottle containing SWAG and a log.
Please provide your own pen to sign the log sheet and don't forget to take a look at the photo gallery on this page (below).
There are historical photos of the incident and some current photos.
Enjoy your visit and HAPPY GEOCACHING!
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The following is a song that was written about the famous 1904 Laurel, Delaware train wreck. It describes the history of the events of the wreck in a very descriptive poetic message.
The Wreck of the Norfolk Express
Words: Charlie Ipcar ©11/10/1912
Tune: inspired by The Tennessee Stud
Now way back when, nineteen and four,
Down the tracks a train did roar––
Her whistle blew as she flew by,
And thick black smoke, well, it filled the sky;
She steamed out of Dover, a-heading South,
To Salisbury Town, with a bone in her mouth––
She rolled into Seaford and roared on past,
And Laurel Station was coming up fast.
Chorus:
The Norfolk Express, she's the train to ride,
Climb on board, 'long the rails you'll glide––
But beware, take care, Laurel, Delaware,
Or you'll end up in deep despair!
Now Laurel's a town below the ridge,
And the boats pass through the Broad Creek Bridge––
As the Norfolk Express steamed into view,
The Golden Gate was coming through;
The bridge was open as the train drew neigh
And all aboard seemed doomed to die––
The schooner's crew had no time to deplore;
They jumped in the Creek and they swum for the shore.
(sing chorus again)
That train took off like a flying squirrel,
Flew halfway around the world––
Landed on the deck with an awful crash,
And the water rose up in a great big splash!
The passengers were saved from a fate bizarre
When the baggage-man uncoupled the car––
But a brave engineer died on that day,
And for his soul we all should pray.
(sing chorus again)
There's a Golden Gate in Heaven they say,
But now there's another at the bottom of the bay––
And the Norfolk Express she lies in the slime;
She'll never make Salisbury Town on time!
No, she'll never make Salisbury Town, on time!
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--The Wreck of the Norfolk Express Words: Charlie Ipcar ©11/10/1912 Tune: inspired by The Tennessee Stud.
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