Save the Erie "Doodlebug" - A Piece Of New Jersey History
The 5012 gasoline-electric "Doodlebug" motorcar was built for the Erie Railroad in March, 1931 by Electro-Motive Corp. and Bethlehem Steel Co. at Wilmington, DE. It was part of an order for eleven such motorcars, each powered by two Winton 300 horsepower internal combustion gasoline engines. No. 5012 spent most of its operational life traversing the Erie's New York Division and its many branches.
Below the Erie 5012 is leading train #126 at Rutherford, NJ in February of 1949.
The 5012 did have a four year stint in the early 1940's on lease to the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad, resplendent in their maroon and silver livery. Below the motorcar is photographed at Hawthorne, NJ in 1944.
The "Doodlebug" had a short lived working career, just over twenty years, when retired in June of 1951. Below the 5012 is seen again leading train #126 at Rutherford, NJ just before being retired.
A short time later, No. 5012 was sold to the Central Ohio Railfans Association. Subsequently, title was transferred to the Ohio Railway Museum of Worthington, Ohio. They operated the 5012 as a power source for their trolley operations and then put the motorcar in tourist and excursion service for a period of time.
Over the years, due to a lack of interest, the lack of volunteers, vandalism, fire and the ravages of mother nature, the 5012 has deteriorated substantially. As the museum refocuses on local Ohio traction equipment and its Ohio heritage, their board of directors has deemed the "Doodlebug", along with several other pieces of equipment, to be surplus.
The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey and the Friends of the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center have attempted, on two other occasions, to acquire this most historically significant unit, but were unsuccessful. This is our last chance! If we are not successful this time around, chances are the "Doodlebug" will be scrapped, ending its 75+ year lifespan.
Immediate action is necessary to save this piece of New Jersey history. The Ohio Railway Museum is offering the motorcar for sale for $10,000. We have raised over $11,000 in a few short months. Now is the time for everyone to dig into their pockets and lend their cash support to this most worthy effort.
Any amount of monitary contribution is appreciated. The estimated cost of preparation, crane service, and transportation is between $25,000 and $35,000.
This is a long term restoration project. But, if we do not act quickly to save the car, all will be lost. The sponsors of the 5012 project are: the Erie Lackawanna Historical Society, the Friends of the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center and the URHS of NJ. The latter being the lead organization.
Please send your donations to:
"Save the 5012"URHS
36 Banstead Way
Jackson, NJ 08527
For additional info contact Pete Hasler at 1-973-838-6265, or send an email to pe774@aol.com.