New Mexico Located at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque. The New Mexico boxcar has an interesting history. It is displayed, unrestored, next to a complete replica of the car as it looked when delivered to the state. Image: The original boxcar, photographed by Mike Castellow October 7, 2016. The boxcar was delivered to the state at Santa Fe. It then went to the local 40 and 8 Society who displayed it at a car dealership in Albuquerque. They soon removed its undercarriage and wheels - and replaced them with tires for easy movement around the state on tour. Later, it ended up at the State Fairgrounds where it was used as a storage shed for 20 years. |
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The boxcar went through a preservation effort in the mid 1980s, but was deemed too worn for a full restoration. Its steel undercarriage and wheels had been lost after they were removed. Undaunted, the preservation team located a similar boxcar in France and in 1987 had it shipped to Albuquerque to become a full size replica of the original New Mexico Merci Train Boxcar. Today, the remains of the original car are displayed alongside its replica at the fairgrounds in Albuquerque. Image: The replica boxcar, photographed by Mike Castellow October 7, 2016. |
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