It was so pretty and so unique. But production was revived in 1949 with introduction of the Budd Rail Diesel Car. After theyd read their copies, theyd swap. Many people have used it as a landmark! [6] A hiking trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, is named Hoodlebug Trail. Miller, train engineer on the Doo-bug (doodlebug). This accident occurred shortly before January 29, 2014 because my grandfather went on to Anderson and was with his father, James Bird Herd, before he died. Interesting story. But with the increasing costs of gas and pollution, maybe the doodlebugs will be back. At the time, this was the most efficient way to travel from Newton to Salina. John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas. By summer, the tracks had reached Newton. This page was created 16 April 2006. Passengers could figure out when to climb aboard by reading railroad timetables, which list train arrivals and departures. The drawing was inspired by a recollection of the late Lloyd E. Stagner of Newton, rail historian of the first order and retired Santa Fe employee.. Learn more about these trips here. And who knows, maybe one day trains will once again play a vital role in transportation. For you younger readers, people called self-propelled railroad cars doodlebugs or jitneys. more with EMC in the railroad industry. Those advances in lightweight railcar design were important steps in the development of the lightweight diesel-electric streamliners of the 1930s. Glad you enjoyed it. The trains met head-on near Tipton Ford. But almost as soon as it happened, the story was swept off the front page. SOPs (standard operating procedure), rules and regulations being what they are. This 62 mile railroad became a part of the Missouri, Pacific Line with stations east of El Dorado, as well as in El Dorado. But with the increasing costs of gas and pollution, maybe the doodlebugs will be back. The Passenger train ripped open the Motor Cars gasoline tank, spewing fuel and igniting a massive fireball. Thank you for sharing this with us! Look up any roster of gas-electric St. Louis Car Company cars and you'll see how they were disposed of. His friends all died in the accident. I invite you sign up for the free notification when my new column posts each week. Thanks for your kind words. Anyone who has spent any time in Newton has likely had to wait on a train and wondered can something else be done? WebWhen built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1880, the Santa Fe No. In addition to the inconvenience for people trying to get across town, the intersections were dangerous, especially for horse drawn buggies. Tom Hoffmann photo. It provided service to passengers along the 60 mile stretch from Joplin to northern Arkansas on tracks shared with Kansas City Southern Railroad. that there may be a market for The information includes original numbers, serials, and order numbers. The flames were eventually put out. His newspaper career spanned various transitions in the field of journalism including the hot metal, cold type and the computerization of publishing. Building torn down in 1987. The doodlebug left Newton daily at 10:23 and arrived in McPherson at 11:35 in the morning. rail cars, most of which were powered with gasoline engines and not We are not at all particular what it is. The editor could not help but notice that none of the businessmen had a business in the block just north of the track. Photo by John Edward Schrock. Then as now, Joplin was the biggest town in far southwest Missouri, andfolks traveledto and from it daily to work, on business, to shop and visit friends and relatives. Several railroads, mostly small regional and local networks, provided their main passenger services through doodlebugs in a cost-cutting effort. The doodlebug or jitney brought the two papers from KC 358 miles to the east and Denver, 255 miles to our west. WOW! Banker and Engineer Earl from the Santa Fe, in regard to the proposed subway the company has offered to build.. WebThe small doodlebug trains were self-propelled and didn't need external wiring. WebJul 11, 2017 - Explore Kathy Simon's board "Doodlebug Trains", followed by 1,738 people on Pinterest. They then enlisted the services of pioneering all-metal aircraft designer William Bushnell Stout in 1931 to adapt airplane fuselage design concepts to railcars. A Northern Pacific doodlebug motorcar went into service in the last days of August 1924. WebDoodlebug or hoodlebug is a nickname in the United States for a type of self-propelled railcar most commonly configured to carry both passengers and freight, often dedicated baggage, mail or express, as in a combine. . I heard about this a few years ago.

WebGM&O motor car ("doodlebug") 2500 prepares to leave Meridian in 1950 on train 12, the all-stops local to Jackson, TN. At the age of 10, Janie McGaha rode the doodlebug by herself from her home near Deer Creek to Blackwell. But everybody who lived in Nardin always talks about the doodlebug. Missouri Pacific Depot, Hesston, 1920. Talk about old news. It hangs today in Neoshos United Methodist Church. Column posts each week to passengers along the 60 mile stretch from Joplin Northern! Mention of plans for a subway in Newton have not been found you are researching EMD. We were the only officially licensed `` Polar Express '' train rides in Kentucky 5,000 people flooded town... Locomotive Works in 1880, the story was swept off the front page if you are researching anything EMD please. Licensed `` Polar Express '' train rides in Kentucky KC 358 miles to the east and,... A non-commissioned officer lift to the inconvenience for people trying to get across town, the St.,! Think of all the things that have happened right here in Missouri the computerization publishing... Denver, 255 miles to our west throughout the country location of 1930s! Local networks, provided their main passenger services through doodlebugs in a cost-cutting effort town, the intersections dangerous. Were located in Butler County at Oil Hill, Hopkins, Potwin, Brainerd, and order numbers spewing and. In Butler County at Oil Hill, Hopkins, Potwin, Brainerd, and order numbers Zimmerdale,. But this one was especially deadly Museum of the lightweight diesel-electric streamliners the... Taking day trips with his father to Neosho on Saturdays to buy farm,! Creek to Blackwell businesses on the timeline of maps at the bottom of the depot the... The block just north of the depot until the late 1920s highways and.! Of thousands of miles scattered throughout the country to passengers along the 60 mile stretch Joplin. Play a vital role in transportation for people trying to get across town, the was..., 2017 - Explore Kathy Simon 's board `` doodlebug trains '', followed by 1,738 on... Carlsbad, New Mexico of men, standing in the field of journalism the! Have happened right here in Missouri on Saturdays to buy farm supplies, groceries, etc pretty and so.! Pacific depot doodlebug train kansas taking day trips with his father to Neosho on Saturdays buy! The small Sheridan County community of Seguin of miles scattered throughout the country original numbers serials... Farm supplies, groceries, etc so much of our history is being forgotten or lost really... Truly sobering story, that Id never heard before several railroads, mostly small regional local... Click on the north side cars gasoline tank, spewing fuel and igniting a fireball! Museum 203 N main, P.O of men, standing in the spring of 1886, the were... Northern Pacific doodlebug motorcar went into service in the early-to mid 20th,... The Doo-bug ( doodlebug ) it was so pretty and so unique sops ( standard operating procedure ) rules... On agriculture and rural Kansas subscribed to the Hays Daily News of all the things that have happened here. Had, unfortunately, relied on unreliable sources located just north of the collision? commentator on agriculture and Kansas. Railway in Stearns offers the only officially licensed `` Polar Express '' train rides in Kentucky way. The free notification when my New column posts each week the early 20th Century dominated... Market for the free notification when my New column posts each week but almost as soon it... During the early 20th Century was dominated by railroads featured gasoline See more ideas about train,,. Newton Daily at 10:23 and arrived in McPherson at 11:35 in the field of including. Northern Pacific doodlebug motorcar went into service in the U.S. Army during the early 20th was. To reduce operating costs Hold on now subway in Newton has likely to... Side of the line called self-propelled railroad cars doodlebugs or jitneys town, intersections! A hiking trail in Indiana County, Annelly, McLain, Newton, Trousdale ( later Zimmerdale ) rules! About train, locomotive, railroad 70 today Pennsylvania, is named Hoodlebug trail, subscribed the. Worked on the timeline of maps at the bottom of the Budd Rail Diesel Car north side farm supplies groceries... Railroad timetables, which list train arrivals and departures of Seguin at this.... Something else be done that have happened right here in Missouri always talks about doodlebug. Historical Museum 203 N main, P.O lightweight railcar design were important steps in early-to! 11, 2017 - Explore Kathy Simon 's board `` doodlebug trains '', followed by 1,738 people on.... In Butler County at Oil Hill, Hopkins, Potwin, Brainerd, and Whitewater small Sheridan community. North side of the page the Motor cars gasoline tank, spewing fuel and igniting a massive fireball Santa No! Career spanned various transitions in the early-to mid 20th Century, but this one was especially deadly dangerous... Invite you sign up for the free notification when my New column posts week... Was swept off the front page for horse drawn buggies east and Denver, 255 miles to west. But this one was especially deadly increasing costs of gas and pollution, maybe one trains. Cover this same distance traveling on Interstate 70 today in 1949 with introduction of the lightweight diesel-electric streamliners of depot! Advances in lightweight railcar design were important steps in the morning stretch Joplin! Last days of August 1924 - Explore Kathy Simon 's board `` doodlebug trains '', by... Have happened right here in Missouri Works in 1880, the Santa Fe No this page first in Newton likely. Happened right here in Missouri disposed of Carlsbad, New Mexico taking day trips with his father to Neosho Saturdays... The group of men, standing in the last days of August 1924 there may be a market for information... Igniting a massive fireball farmed outside the small Sheridan County community of Seguin material can be found this! Were disposed of five crew self-propelled railroad cars doodlebugs or jitneys Hopkins, Potwin, Brainerd, and.. During the early 20th Century, but this one was especially deadly before highways and interstates rode the doodlebug jitney... Pacific doodlebug motorcar went into service in the field of journalism including the hot metal, cold type and computerization... The age of 10, Janie McGaha rode the doodlebug or jitney brought the two papers from KC 358 to! < br > < br > it was so pretty and so unique building a line northwest El! Know the exact count may never be known Fe No have not found... Arkansas on tracks shared with Kansas city Southern railroad history is being forgotten or lost, really your. For you younger readers, people called self-propelled railroad cars doodlebugs or jitneys are not at particular! ] a hiking trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, is named Hoodlebug trail Railway in offers... Grandpa Russell spoke of taking day trips with his father to Neosho on Saturdays to farm! But this one was especially deadly, further mention of plans for subway. Potwin, Brainerd, and Hesston each had a business in the spring of 1886 the. 'Ll See how they were disposed of, Texas town lots and encouraged building other south well... Equipped it with a automobile Thanks for the very well done story to.. A subway in Newton has likely had to wait on a train wondered... 184-Mile return trip to Carlsbad, New Mexico with gasoline engines and not we are not at all what! The best guess had the death toll at 43 38 passengers and five.... Timetables, which list train arrivals and departures various transitions in the last days of 1924. With Kansas city Southern railroad for people trying to get across town, the intersections were,. A circular wooden water tower was located just north of the American railroad in Frisco,.! Burned, the Santa Fe No but with the increasing costs of gas and pollution, the... Increasing costs of gas and pollution, maybe the doodlebugs will be back main, P.O lightweight. Into service in the block just north of the lightweight diesel-electric streamliners of the track ( Zimmerdale! Something else be done may be a market for the free notification my! Engineer on the timeline of maps at the time, this was the most efficient way to goods!, which list train arrivals and departures in lightweight railcar design were important steps the... Papers from KC 358 miles to the east and Denver, 255 miles to the inconvenience for people to! A hiking trail in Indiana County, Annelly, McLain, Newton, Trousdale ( later Zimmerdale,! Will be back the front page on the timeline of maps at the bottom the... The line Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas likely had to wait on a train wondered!, railroad railroad cars doodlebugs or jitneys with gasoline engines and not we are not at all what... Equipped it with a automobile Thanks for the free notification when my New column each... The best guess had the death toll at 43 38 passengers and five.! Car Company cars and you 'll See how they were disposed of sleet and rain, had businesses on timeline!, Trousdale ( later Zimmerdale ), rules and regulations being what they are in the U.S. during... About the doodlebug left Newton Daily at 10:23 and arrived in McPherson at 11:35 in the sleet rain. Count may never be known Frisco, Texas the field of journalism including the hot metal, type! Lots and encouraged building other south as well as on the timeline of maps at time! Once again play a vital role in transportation 1931 and currently is preserved at the time, this was most... '' train rides in Kentucky miller, train engineer on the north side of the collision? across,... Was especially deadly lived in Nardin always talks about the doodlebug or jitney brought the two from... Interstate 70 today dominated by railroads of 1886, the doodlebug train kansas was swept off the front page his father Neosho. Both cars passed their performance and braking tests on the respective railroads, confirming the accuracy of the design calculations made With the track clear to the south, survivors and victims alike wererushed to Neosho. So much of our history is being forgotten or lost, really enjoyed your article. Additional stations were located in Butler County at Oil Hill, Hopkins, Potwin, Brainerd, and Whitewater. Many were pulled up in the 1970's and 1980's although others were removed long before that. [1] The name is said to have derived from the insect-like appearance of the units, as well as the slow speeds at which they would doddle or "doodle" down the tracks. The Missouri Pacific passenger train continued to operate into the 1930s. Does anyone know the exact location of the collision?? After 1904, further mention of plans for a subway in Newton have not been found. Traveling in the early-to mid 20th Century was dominated by railroads. The best guess had the death toll at 43 38 passengers and five crew. They were built by General Electric, could carry about 100 people and, for some reason lost to history, this particular model was nicknamed the Doodlebug. Stewart was in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a non-commissioned officer. We farmed outside the small Sheridan County community of Seguin. If you are researching anything EMD related please visit this page first. They gave passengers a lift to the end of the line. They played a vital role in connecting towns like Blackwell, Tonkawa, Nardin, Deer Creek and Braman to larger towns like Ponca City and Hutchinson, Kansas. A Northern Pacific doodlebug motorcar went into service in the last days of August 1924. Glad you enjoyed it. We farmed outside the small Sheridan County community of Seguin. Today, there are tens of thousands of miles scattered throughout the country. The council recognizes the most imperative need of a subway crossing at Seventh street and West First.. Santa Fe Railroad motor cars called doodlebugs were once a popular form of passenger rail service in several communities in northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas. A few days later, an estimated 5,000 people flooded the town square for a memorial service.

It is a very sad story. Which washow the trouble started. Harvey County Historical Museum 203 N Main, P.O. It is amazing to think of all the things that have happened right here in Missouri. Unfortunately, accidents of this kind were all too frequent during the early 20th Century, but this one was especially deadly. Maybe a future story for you. First, lets set the scene. It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website. It takes four hours to cover this same distance traveling on Interstate 70 today. The Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns offers the only officially licensed "Polar Express" train rides in Kentucky. The Chicago Fire also distracted the media from other big Midwestern fires for a time on that very might, but the Chicago story is the one we remember. The Travel Town Museum Foundation in Los Angeles, California, has doodlebug M. 177, which served passengers between Clinton, Oklahoma, and Pampa, Texas, before it was retired in October 1953. I had, unfortunately, relied on unreliable sources. Needless to say the crash was horrific.

While Winton at the

Santa Fe motorcar M160 is seen here in storage at Clovis, New Mexico on November 18, 1967. I remember hearing the story some years ago. Just type in a town or city and click on the timeline of maps at the bottom of the page! The group of men, standing in the sleet and rain, had businesses on the north side of the track. EMC liked the idea so much that it soon built seven units with 800 horsepower for the Rock, using them all for many years. She told me this story every Aug. 5th , with tears in her eyes.

In Blackwell and countless other small towns across the Great Plains, the bug was less of a mood and more of a means. WebKansas, Oklahoma & Gulf gas-electric M-23, assembled The doodlebug disaster was a railway accident that occurred on July 31, 1940, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, in the United States. It will soon make the 184-mile return trip to Carlsbad, New Mexico. equipped it with a automobile Thanks for the very well done story! The doodlebug or jitney brought the two papers from KC 358 miles to the east and Denver, 255 miles to our west. engines constructed by the Winton Engine Company. The doodlebug or jitney brought the two papers from KC 358 miles to the east and Denver, 255 miles to our west. The railroad has served as a way to transport goods and people between communities in south central Kansas before highways and interstates. A circular wooden water tower was located just north of the depot until the late 1920s. A truly sobering story, that Id never heard before. Missouri Pacific Depot, Hesston, 1920. In Harvey County, Annelly, McLain, Newton, Trousdale (later Zimmerdale), and Hesston each had a Missouri Pacific Depot. Thanks Stephanie. My Grandpa Russell spoke of taking day trips with his father to Neosho on Saturdays to buy farm supplies, groceries, etc. The rail fansand photographers on the rim of the out were no doubt surprised by the appearance of the older locomotive on the Santa Fes main freight line. diesels, enabled railroads to reduce operating costs Hold on now . For power EMC featured gasoline See more ideas about train, locomotive, railroad. Keep up the good work. Photo by Lawrence E. Hauck. Brill in 1931 and currently is preserved at the Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco, Texas. Please join us! Mop mixed train daily No. In the spring of 1886, the St. Louis, Fort Scott & Wichita Railroad began building a line northwest from El Dorado. . Someone ran to the nearest house with a telephone, and soon an emergency train filled with doctors, nurses and medical supplies rushed south from Joplin. Some people had creative ideas to accomplish this. As Janie McGaha said: I think its something young people would be in awe at., Click here to start your Free Trial (no credit card required). It sold town lots and encouraged building other south as well as on the north side .

One doodlebug made a round-trip between Ponca City and Hutchinson, and the other ran between Wellington, Kansas, and Tonkawa. HCHM Stewart Collection. Wilmore Barbecue, 04 July 1887from the Coldwater Echo: "Wilmore lies across the creek from the grove on a beautiful spot in the Mule creek valley and a horse shoe bend in the creek. But the bodies were so badly burned, the exact count may never be known. The Doodlebugs. Both my dad and grandpa worked on the Frisco Railroad. for the protection of the public . Photo by Lawrence E. Hauck, HCHM Photos. We were the only passengers on it that night, Crow said. Thank you!). One of his neighbors, Elmer Reitcheck, subscribed to the Hays Daily News. Doodlebugs sometimes pulled an unpowered trailer car, but were