Revision as of 23:57, 26 February 2017 edit N2xjk (talk \| contribs) Extended confirmed users 3,770 edits some rewording ← Previous edit		Revision as of 05:56, 30 April 2017 edit undo Qwirkle (talk \| contribs) Extended confirmed users 15,807 edits Origin section was self-contradictory, and did not explain origin. Not the only name for, or type of dail motor car. Next edit →
Line 17: }} In the [[United States of America\|United States]], '''doodlebug''' isor ~~the~~'''hoodlebug''' ~~common~~is a name for a type of self-propelled [[railcar]] most commonly configured with both a passenger and freight compartment. Early models were usually powered by a [[gasoline]] engine, with either a mechanical drive train or a [[Electrical generator\|generator]] providing [[electricity]] to [[traction motor]]s. After a number of years of service, it was common for Doodlebugs to be repowered with a diesel engine. Doodlebugs sometimes pulled an unpowered [[trailer car]], but were more often used singularly. They were popular with some railroads during the first part of the 20th century to provide passenger and mail service on lightly used branch lines, obviating the need to operate conventional trains consisting of a [[locomotive]] and [[Passenger car (rail)\|coaches]]. Several railroads, mostly small regional and local networks, provided their main passenger services through doodlebugs in a cost cutting effort. Line 26: [[Image:ATSF Doodle Bug 1943.jpg\|thumb\|[[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway\|ATSF]] doodlebug M119, Isleta, New Mexico. 1943]] [[File:RGS Goose 2 1940.jpg\|thumb\|Rio Grande Southern [[Galloping Goose (railcar)\|Galloping Goose]] No. 2]] ~~==Origin of term==~~ The term "doodlebug" was given to the first successful motor car, the Union Pacific #1 McKeen Motor Car, built in late 1904 to March 1905. When the motor car first arrived for service in Kearney, Nebraska, the switchman looked at the Maroon colored, knife edge nose, gasoline motor car, and proclaimed, "Look at the potato bug." Although this is not when the doodlebug term was coined, it was probably around the same time that railroaders created this nickname. ==See also==

Doodlebug (railcar): Difference between revisions