Western Railroad Discussion > Doodlebug M-190 is coming back to New Mexico

I don't have any details but,

Governor Richardson and Governor Schwarzenegger have made a deal where the doodlebug, M-190, is going to be coming back to New Mexico.

It is currently loaded on two flat cars at the California State Rail Museum and should be leaving Sacramento in the next couple of days. It will be moved by the UP to Stockton where it will be interchanged to the BNSF and then proceed to Albuquerque on the BNSF.

Unfortunately I do not have any details about the train movement but you may want to keep your eyes open along the BNSF route. Might be something neat to see coming over Tehachapi.

At this time the ownership of the doodlebug still belongs to California but at some point in the future it should transfer to New Mexico. From what I heard it is hoped to be moved to Belen and stored on the grounds of the Harvey House there next to the yard in Belen.

Tim Harris

3751 next??? - - - JLH

Good news if NM will undo the destruction that happened over the years since it has been at CRM.

Hmmm...I screened a film for Arnold years ago. As long as he's in a de-accessing mood how about sending the Santa Fe F's to Chicago?

For those who don't know, M.190 is a one of a kind, 90'long, 900hp, two-piece, three truck articulated EMC car built in 1932. It originally had a distillate engine, and was later dieselized with a 12-567. Its last assignment was the run between Clovis and Carlsbad, NM in the late 1960's, which it shared with EMD-re-engined Brill car M.160. A photo of M.190 as it looked just before it went to Sacramento is here: http://atsf.railfan.net/atsfpres/sfm190a.jpg

M.160 went to the Age of Steam Museum in Dallas, and last I heard, it was in operating condition.

This is great news!!!

Now, can the rest of the collection be liberated from the CSRM scrapyard?

Bob

To quote Ron White, "Easy there, Seabiscuit!"

While one can applaud this effort, there is obviously thought involved with money to back it up, something the CSRM or any rail preservation effort anywhere would love to have any day.

Unfortunately, with the exception of the 2 Fs, everything else has been gutted of all copper and other recyclable metals. Its a real crime to see such a generous donation treated as rubbish.

Anyone happen to be in the CSRM area? Photos would interesting to see before it leaves.

Fred

Perhaps the headline should be (M 190 rescued from California scrapyard)

1200v Wrote:
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> Good news if NM will undo the destruction that
> happened over the years since it has been at CRM.

I agree great news! But remember, guys, the reason the ATSF collection of locos was shipped to Calif. RR Museum in the first place. ATSF wisely but a bit late started collecting an example of its motive power and kept them housed within the old roundhouse at Albuquerque. Then came the discovery the old roundhouse was infested with asbestos and it would have to be leveled. What to do with THE collection of artifacts? Since CRM was obviously very good at preserving rolling stock (can anyone think of a better example outside of the Smithsonian and its Southern Ps-4 4-6-2?), ATSF decided to donate its collection to the State of Calif. BUT.... as we've all found out since then, CRM at Sacto had/has deep roots into Southern Pacific, not ATSF. As we all know, the ATSF collection was relegated to the weeds and sun. It seemed the museum folks could care less about the ATSF locos. So now if Motorcar M-190 can return to its last location of service and be appreciated by the folks of N.M., Hey, that's great news! Maybe other ATSF examples in Sacramento can escape back to more-appreciated ATSF country too!

would yall rather have them in bite sized pieces in an urban ore car rather then still here even if in bad shape?

Please remember when Santa Fe donated the collection to CSRM money was also promised or something like that. Later on the y merged with BN and the money never came. Also Santa Fe had been worried that a another company would buy them out and scatter the collection to the highest bidders around the country. Today all of the Santa Fe collection is in the Sacramento shops buildings except for the 4-8-4 and 2-10-2. The engines will go inside as soon as the track is fixed. While CSRM made efforts to protect the collection the shops area has always been owned by SP and later DRGW and later UP. Under DRGW management the shops where closed and everything that could be sold was sold. The Rio Grande would not under allow the CSRM to store any equipment in any of the remaining buildings. So lighten up on CSRM.

steamdiesel Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Please remember when Santa Fe donated the
> collection to CSRM money was also promised or
> something like that. Later on the y merged with
> BN and the money never came. Also Santa Fe had
> been worried that a another company would buy them
> out and scatter the collection to the highest
> bidders around the country. Today all of the
> Santa Fe collection is in the Sacramento shops
> buildings except for the 4-8-4 and 2-10-2. The
> engines will go inside as soon as the track is
> fixed. While CSRM made efforts to protect the
> collection the shops area has always been owned by
> SP and later DRGW and later UP. Under DRGW
> management the shops where closed and everything
> that could be sold was sold. The Rio Grande would
> not under allow the CSRM to store any equipment in
> any of the remaining buildings. So lighten up on
> CSRM.

You need a grader to spread this much BS.

Bob

steamdiesel Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Please remember when Santa Fe donated the
> collection to CSRM money was also promised or
> something like that. Later on the y merged with
> BN and the money never came. Also Santa Fe had
> been worried that a another company would buy them
> out and scatter the collection to the highest
> bidders around the country. Today all of the
> Santa Fe collection is in the Sacramento shops
> buildings except for the 4-8-4 and 2-10-2. The
> engines will go inside as soon as the track is
> fixed. While CSRM made efforts to protect the
> collection the shops area has always been owned by
> SP and later DRGW and later UP. Under DRGW
> management the shops where closed and everything
> that could be sold was sold. The Rio Grande would
> not under allow the CSRM to store any equipment in
> any of the remaining buildings. So lighten up on
> CSRM.


The museum may be fine. The problem is the people in the back shops who stripped the collection and choose to blame the damage on vandals.