NM Rail Runner Express to Travel to Las Cruces and EL Paso

Rail Runner Heads South for Railroad Days

(Albuquerque, NM – May 1, 2009)- The New Mexico Rail Runner Express will be making a special trip south as part of the second annual Railroad Days being held in the City of Las Cruces next week. Before arriving in Las Cruces, the train will make a quick stop in El Paso so that residents of that west Texas town can climb aboard and check out the Rail Runner first hand.

“It’s exciting to see that the enthusiasm for the Rail Runner is spreading and it reinforces my belief that one day it will be the centerpiece for regional transportation, from El Paso to Albuquerque to Denver”, said New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. “The Rail Runner gives commuters in central New Mexico a new choice - a safe, environmentally friendly, and affordable alternative to highways and gridlock. Working to extend that alternative to our regional neighbors is the right thing to do.”

“Both Las Cruces and El Paso have expressed interest in the Rail Runner from the point of view that they would like to explore alternative transportation for their citizens”, said Lawrence Rael, Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “Both cities are looking at what it would take to provide efficient and safe travel for their residents as they look toward a system that serves their transportation needs well into the future.”

“The popularity of the Rail Runner express along the Middle Rio Grande Corridor is unquestionable with nearly 5,000 commuters using the service every day,” said Transportation Secretary Gary Girón. “I believe we have also set the foundation for public transportation that could be expanded to Las Cruces and other parts of Northern New Mexico in the future.”

The three-day event, which starts on the 7^th, celebrates Las Cruces’ railroading past, present, and future. Festivities include model train layouts sponsored by the Doña Ana Modular Railroad Club, Harvey Girl re-enactors from the Railroad and Transportation Museum of El Paso, and a host of speakers including the Mayor of Las Cruces, other local dignitaries, and the Rail Runner’s Lawrence Rael.

NM Rail Runner Express visits 2^nd Annual Railroad Days

Saturday, May 9^th 
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Las Cruces Railroad Museum
351 N. Mesilla Street
Event free to the public

For more information on Railroad Days, visit www.museums.las-cruces.org or call (575) 647-4480

Prior to its arrival in Las Cruces, the Rail Runner will make a stop in El Paso, Texas so that local residents can climb aboard and check out the train, as well as ask any questions. 

El Paso invites Public to “Come Aboard” NM Rail Runner Express

Friday, May 8^th
Open House from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
News Conference at 2:30 pm
805 South Santa Fe St.

Contacts: 

• Augusta Meyers, MRCOG Communications Mgr. 505-239-8612, ameyers@mrcog-nm.gov
• S.U. Mahesh, NM Department of Transportation (505) 490-0976

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