Historical train lands in Belen!
Governor Richardson helps Historic train car make final
journey back home to Belen
(5-18-07) – A small train car from New Mexico’s past
affectionately known as ‘the Doodlebug” will make its final journey
back to its original home in Belen this coming Monday. In its
heyday, the train ran back and forth from Belen to Albuquerque, with
stops in Los Lunas and Isleta, starting as early as 1934. Prior to
the start of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express last July, the
Doodlebug was the last real commuter rail service in New Mexico in
40-years.
“By today’s standards the Doodlebug is a small train – but moving it
back to Belen will be no small task”, says Lawrence Rael, Executive
Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “It’s going to
take a large crane to actually lift the Doodlebug from where it is
now, set it on a couple of trucks and haul it to Belen. Let’s just
say it’s going to be quite the visual spectacle!”
Like many other doodlebugs of its time, the Belen-to-Albuquerque
motor car might have simply faded into memory after taking its last
run in 1968, if not for being spotted by a group of visitors to the
California Railroad Museum in Sacramento a few years ago. Among the
group was Belen Mayor Ronnie Torres, who promptly got the attention
of Governor Bill Richardson asking him to help bring New Mexico’s
Doodlebug home.
“When I explained the situation to California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger, he agreed that the Doodlebug should be sent back
here to New Mexico”, said New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. “This
little train is an important piece of our history – particularly to
the residents of Belen and Valencia County – that relied on this
vital connection to Albuquerque for more than 40-years. It’s good to
have it back where people can see it and appreciate it.”
“We’re glad to have the Doodlebug back for future generations to
enjoy – particularly now with New Mexico re-entering the world of
commuter rail”, says Stuart Ashman, Cabinet Secretary NM Department
of Cultural Affairs. “I’ve received all kinds of phone calls and
emails from people who remember this historical piece of yesteryear
when it was in operation half a century ago.”
“It’s like getting back a piece of Belen”, says Belen Mayor Ronnie
Torres. “It’s like bringing home an old friend. Everybody has a
story about the Doodlebug – like it was their own personal train.
It’s great that we’re bringing this piece of Belen history home.”
The Doodlebug measures 70 feet in length, contains 22 seats and
could carry as many as 44 passengers. The all-steel motor car, which
also carried the mail, earned its designation through a whimsical
resemblance to the bug of the same name - dashing from city to city.
A trip from Belen to Albuquerque took about 45-minutes. This popular
little train was not unique to New Mexico. There were about
50-Doodlebugs in states from California to Kansas between the 1930’s
and 1950’s – and even another in New Mexico that ran from Clovis to
Carlsbad.
The Doodlebug will be permanently parked at 2nd and Becker Street in
Belen, just around the corner from the historic Belen Harvey House.
Contacts:
- Augusta Meyers, MRCOG Communications Mgr. 505-239-8612, ameyers@mrcog-nm.gov
- S.U. Mahesh, NM Department of Transportation (505) 490-0976
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