New Mexico Rail Runner Express Commuter Train

New Mexico’s Rail Runner Express is a commuter railroad that travels between the cities of Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Belen. The service began operations in 2006 with a fleet of 9 MP36PH-3C locomotives and 22 Bombardier bilevel cars. Let’s take a look at the Rail Runner in operation as it travels along through the Land of Enchantment.
CoasterFan2105 is the home of all sorts of train and railroad related video content. Stop by every Friday at 9 AM Pacific time for an all new railroading adventure and be sure to check out all of my social media pages @coasterfan2105 for even more great railroad content. Thanks, and I'll see you down the line!

[@ROTE]

I love the door closing sound!!!

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

Beep-Beep

[@braysfinds7479]

Strange thing to like, but I also like it so that's good.

[@ConfusedNyan]

Ah yes, I love callbacks to the Termite Terrace days of cartoons. Double if it's a Chuck Jones work.

[@jonathancordovapettit2ndceo]

@@AVeryRandomPerson meep meep

[@CoasterFan2105]

It's a very cool and pretty unique feature of RailRunner!

[@MiddleboroLakevilleRailfan]

This railroad is rarely filmed thanks for sharing!

[@ROTE]

yeah, you dont see too much footage of it, i did railfan the railrunner back in january 2020

[@MiddleboroLakevilleRailfan]

Yeah this and front runner

[@superbaddy4]

I film FrontRunner on occasion, as I'm from Utah where that is.

[@MiddleboroLakevilleRailfan]

Oh never knew that

[@abelmosqueda8616]

But this train is from New México

[@anasonia4830]

Make the Next train talk ep 31 about the MP36 locomotive

[@FPHfan-pz3th]

BCRail 757 YES

[@ROTE]

that is a nice loco

[@CoasterFan2105]

Well, the next episode comes out this Friday!

[@superbaddy4]

I love this system. From the clever paint scheme to those amazing K5LAs on the Cab Cars and Hybrid K3LAs on the MP36s. I wish there was more audio of their horns on KZbin. Also, I always wondered what those small tower-like structures on the roofs of the Cab Cars are...

[@treasurevalleytrackside9527]

What bells are on a hybrid K3LA

[@superbaddy4]

The MP36s have Graham White E-Bells and the Cab Cars have Transtronic E-Bells.

[@superbaddy4]

Oh, you meant Horn Bells... I don't know exactly. But they sound much better on NorthStar than on Rail Runner or UTA FrontRunner.

[@treasurevalleytrackside9527]

@@superbaddy4 agreed

[@CoasterFan2105]

It is a really neat system! I'll have to get back to NM when it is up and running again. I've heard that the MP36 locomotives have a K5HA that is mounted in a box behind the front plow. There are a number of other commuter RRs that have these locomotives with a similar horn setup.

[@Towabear]

I sure do love riding the Rail Runner! I'm kind of disappointed that COVID-19 had to ruin it.

[@lisadetorres3811]

I agree, I bought an annual pass then it went out! They should tell the people when it plans on service or any information would b nice

[@CRXnick]

I love the design on the railrunner, one of my favorite BBL designs

[@benukasrYT]

A bird or chicken with a tail extending depending on how many carriages are in the consist...

[@TremendousTyius26]

it’s a bird also known as a Road Runner that’s why they call it the Rail Runner as it’s importance of the state bird of New Mexico

[@flexican5399]

@@benukasrYT a roadrunner

[@Chuck59ish]

I've never ridden on the Rail Runner, but I remember in an early video on the chimes when the doors were closing was the Beep-Beep from the Road Runner cartoons, to back you couldn't have recorded that too. Great video though.

[@TrainsDirectVictoria]

i used to go on this all the time as a kid. good memories

[@ROTE]

same

[@kevp9601]

I Love those Mexico Trains so Much. :-D

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

yes i was right it was old AT&SF track (also i have riden this train almost 8 times cause i ride whenever we visit my dad family in new mexico)

[@shinkizawa3613]

Can you a video on the many types of commuter rail and what equipment they use such as locomotives, and rail cars?

[@ember_shep8181]

There are some of these topics covered in Coasters Traintalk series. He did a video earlier this year on that I believe.

[@shinkizawa3613]

Not the train cars, it’s what equipment do each commuter rails use including the Loco/ engine

[@CoasterFan2105]

As Sarge mentioned, I've covered the different types of commuter cars in pretty good detail in my episode of Train Talk on types of passenger cars. There have been a lot of requests for a video similar to Episode 29 except for different types of diesel passenger locomotives, so that is something that I may look into doing in the not too distant future.

[@MiddleboroLakevilleRailfan]

Love that transtronic bell!

[@chrisylink]

Man I've always loved the look of this train

[@keonikaig9247]

and thank you Mike... Great scenery .... 👍😎

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you! It is a really nice countryside!

[@mishaklest1038]

Im love these trains arts, They're perfect. Childhood :)

[@DC4260Productions]

Thanks for giving some attention to the RailRunner, especially since I don't usually see many videos on American commuter trains. Incidentally I find these commuter trains more interesting than American freight trains, simply because they're more obscure and therefore more significant to me. My favourite U.S. commuter train is the Music City Star in Tennessee.

[@nmccw3245]

Thanks for showcasing our little commuter railway. NM Railrunner Express (NMRX) is administered by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and the Rio Metro Regional Transit District (Rio Metro) and is currently operated by Herzog Transit Services.

[@MP-ph6ob]

Great K5LAs on the cab cars!!

[@moisesm9602]

I got to ride this train from Santa Fe to Albuquerque a couple of years ago it was a nice experience.

[@deklan246]

Your videos are so cool 😎

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@metrolinxfan3005]

102 is my fave

[@Amtrakmaverick]

My fave is the 105

[@ceridyan2910]

Nice to see those double decker trains.

[@SpotterCrazyperson]

Very beautiful big train!

[@rickseverson1060]

Good job on making new videos that are awesome

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you, Christian!

[@Handlesarestoopid]

What a great way to start my road trip!

[@micmac99]

Before the pandemic I was calling for Phoenix to get this type of commuter rail. Now...with more people working from home, I'm not so sure.

[@Sarah-nl2rk]

Wow, I have not seen this before, Very nice 👍

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks!

[@Sarah-nl2rk]

Yw, btw tri-rail is still still running in Florida

[@BnuuyBoi2005]

Rail runner is a bit like metrolink, sunrail, trirail, go transit, sound transit, and caltrain.

[@ROTE]

yeah, they all use the same locomotives and passenger cars

[@BnuuyBoi2005]

@@ROTE That's right

[@CoasterFan2105]

All those agencies use very similar equipment.

[@BnuuyBoi2005]

@@CoasterFan2105 i agree

[@utaamtrak9584]

Don't forget Frontrunner, which i think is the closest.

[@ItsSnowyAmelia]

I absolutely love the Canadian E-Bells on the cab cars (8:13 bc I like to loop this xD)

[@MP-ph6ob]

Transtronic E bells

[@YardLimit]

Always fun to see what others do with the trains in your own backyard. Nice work, Mike.

[@FPHfan-pz3th]

What how long will it take to get the MP36’s replaced?

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

At least another decade.

[@ROTE]

the MP36 was built in 2003 so probably not for a while

[@CoasterFan2105]

These were built right around 2006, so they will probably be around for a while longer.

[@mr.dingbat4197]

That’s a cool train ! I call it The Chicken Liner as a nickname

[@fakecumberland]

One of the things I did on my visit to NM when I turned 30 (2009) was to ride the train from Belen to Santa Fe and back. Great idea!

[@TrashBulldogProductions]

MP36PH-3C or the "Baby Bullet" always pairs well with Bombardiers in my opinion. Nice horns on the cab cars but I wish they got mechanical bells instead of Canadian E-Bells. Also it seems a vast majority of the line along this corridor is single track, looks like their schedules would be very constrained. But what is up with that antenna spire type apparatus on either end of the cab cars?

[@ThePeninsulaRailfan]

Baby bullet is the caltrain MP36PH-3C'S

[@overpoweredsteamproduction513]

If by chance you’re ever in New Mexico again, I recommend going to Madrid as a very rare steam locomotive is there and is being prepared for restoration

[@nathanw7114]

Which engine is that?

[@kevp9601]

5 and a Half Rating Stars for Very-Very Excellent. :-D

[@NiceNToasty768]

I love your channel

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@NiceNToasty768]

@@CoasterFan2105 your welcome:)

[@charlottevarela6596]

I love the rail runner i think looks cool. i love riding on the rail runner express and mp36 103 is my favorite locomotive

[@taslimchoudhary1253]

Super Video 🌺🌺🇮🇳🌺🌺

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@diegobradley3384]

I'm happy it's running again!

[@gmbob2031]

Yet another very interesting presentation of a rarely seen rail operation. A look at Montreal (or Toronto) would be my suggestion for a future video.

[@torontoareatransit8123]

Agreed

[@kevp9601]

Happy Last Day of July 2020, Mr. Mike Armstrong!

[@291281]

Muy buen registro Precioso tren decorado Saludos desde Madrid CoasterFan2105

[@CoasterFan2105]

Muchas gracias, saludos

[@ScottJohnson4449]

A great video from you. I took some stills of two locos in the Santa Fe depot two summers ago and thought, "Dang, wouldn't a Warbonnet Heritage paint scheme look awesome on them." Maybe during the shutdown...BNSF, are you listening?

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

Fun Fact: Railrunners can run backwards!

[@ROTE]

XD

[@moisesm9602]

It looks so weird lol

[@klyde8460]

@@ROTE OH NO NOT U AGAIN

[@ROTE]

@@klyde8460 who are you idiot

[@MP-ph6ob]

Cabcars

[@grandpaanderson4271]

Your exterior train view videos are always so well done! Thank you. What consideration have you given to also including occasional interior views along with possible “going down the track” views from the Bombardier head car front windows on the “pusher” trains?

[@aicoleman4192]

Great vid. Could you do the Trinity Railway Express over here in Texas one day? It runs from Dallas to Fort Worth and passes through some of their suburbs.

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks, Andy! My plan was actually to do TRE last year. I filmed a portion of it, but was faced with some bad weather and was unable to finish filming. Hopefully soon.

[@rozajakborsukzlisem1135]

Super pociąg

[@larailfan1714]

I have never seen this train but I probably will sometime!

[@adambuesser6264]

Are you going to make a rail video about Metro North and shuttle services in Connecticut?

[@felixthetrainfan4819]

Nice video my friend ;)

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks! :)

[@kevp9601]

Best KZbin Video Ever, I Love It a Lot.

[@ladyprecise77]

thanks CoasterFan for this amazing video

[@aydenpostigo2910]

That Was Awesome

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks!

[@trainboyproductions6306]

Can you make a video of the Big Boy and 844 when they start excursions again. Thanks.

[@PrincessAmtrakMinamoto]

Nice videos!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@janaperkins2504]

I have yet to experience traveling to Santa Fe I've traveled from los Lunas to belen loved it good experience

[@user-cv4zy7ds4o]

My Favorite train rail runner

[@rhettrossalbert]

Nice Video Mike!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks, Rhett!

[@Howard1939]

Any idea as to when New Mexico Governor will remove restrictions that apparently have stopped Railrunner service. Guess SW Chief is the only passenger rail running, but doubt many able to get off until the quarantine is lifted. :-(

[@GamingRailfanner]

HOLD UP Birds are on the top

[@canesguy5]

Great videos of the trains and from the Land Of Enchantment

[@ATSF2926Productions]

This is where I live and these are some of the only trains in New Mexico ;)

[@Texas_North]

As always amazing video mike!

[@connorrobinson8197]

Nice rains and horns=good catches!

[@trainsandtrams2020]

This is a really great passenger service and in such a scenic place too. You've captured some really pretty footage from the Land of Enchantment. I hope that in the future they can extend the RailRunner north to Taos, if not for commuters, for seasonal tourism. Greets from Zurich, another double-deck railway hotspot! :)

[@utaamtrak9584]

You should do one on UTA.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

The Cabs need to have GW E-Bells.

[@ROTE]

i like the canadian e bells, i think they are cool

[@superbaddy4]

I'm fine with either one, although I do personally prefer the Graham Whites. What they really need to do is get rid of the restrictors on the horns of 1107, 1108, and 1109.

[@CoasterFan2105]

@@superbaddy4 The last 3 cab cars were built more recently I think, so they have newer K5LA horns that came from the very early batch of "raised letter" (sometimes called 3rd gen) horns that were out of tune.

[@fermitthekrog6318]

Nice! The paint scheme on these trains looks pretty cool

[@thetrainsport]

Great job on the video

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

Awesome Video Mike

[@curtishollerback1517]

You didn’t add the “Meep - Meep” when the doors shut ! I rode from Socorro to ABQ , beautiful train ! Can’t remember if I paid or I might have gotten a voucher ?!

[@andrewkecskemethy3900]

I like the roadrunner design but how does the last car move on it’s own without the engine putting out energy?

[@superbaddy4]

It doesn't. The engine is actually pushing it from behind.

[@andrewkecskemethy3900]

Superbaddy4 well excuse me I haven’t really seen this type of train yet.

[@superbaddy4]

These types of trains are quite common here in the US and Canada, actually.

[@andrewkecskemethy3900]

Superbaddy4 well I live in Alaska and we don’t use those types of trains here

[@superbaddy4]

That makes sense. There is no such train like this in Alaska. I'm from Utah, and see a system like this called UTA FrontRunner quite regularly.

[@tonnyyyzzzplays7309]

I like the video mike! My family and I enjoyed it!! I like the railroad too.

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks!

[@Austin-uj4re]

Hi there, I love your videos! Have you ever thought of going to New York City to film the New York City Subway, Long Island Railroad, and/or Metro North Railroad?

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

Does Railrunner use Series 6 or Series 7 (FrontRunner designed) coaches?

[@ROTE]

ive been in one but dont know the difference

[@superbaddy4]

Rail Runner ordered their cars in two batches. The first were built in 2005 before they started, and the later batch was in 2007. All I know for sure is that they all pre-date FrontRunner's cars.

[@treasurevalleytrackside9527]

Awesome!

[@BNSF1915trickshots]

What is the locomotive unit number from 9:01

[@user-iz7oy8jn7q]

強力紅尾巨鳥 ? 讚啦！……🤩🤩🤩

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

All of this is incredible! Seeing all this action makes me want to railfan it more since I live blocks away from the Albuquerque station.

[@idalwave6422]

The e-bells on the cab cars sound different than normal e-bells. Is it to comply with some sort of noise restraint or something else

[@superbaddy4]

It's a different type of E-Bell, known as the Transtronic Bell.

[@ROTE]

its a canadian e bell

[@TrainGuru]

Fantastic! Is Frontrunner gonna order new locomotives and is this service run by New Mexico or privately?

[@CoasterFan2105]

Than you! I don't think Frontrunner currently has any plans for new equipment. Railrunner is owned by the New Mexico DOT.

[@nolanikemura9881]

What video does your intro use? I really like sound of that horn. It sounds like a coaster in downtown sd

[@Bammer2001]

Huh, it has the same coaches and locomotives as GO Transit in Ontario, with a different livery.

[@NotEshan]

4:49 what railroad crossing bell is this?

[@talkingwithmaddie]

Could you talk about how train tracks are made and used for the next Train Talk video?

[@CoasterFan2105]

I might do something about RR tracks in a future episode of Train Talk!

[@SarinaWeenaBeena]

I got on the road runner in Albuquerque NM I went to Santa Fe

[@kensinclair8601]

Nice video!!!!!!!

[@jessicacristinamendivil3269]

Very sad not having the opportunity to ride the rails...moved away from ABQ 1987

[@dima9462]

Nice video 👍

[@Zackman217]

That was a good video. Can you make one about the Acela Express in the future?

[@Acermani456]

@CoasterFan2105 If U were to see a sequel to the movie Unstoppable but with steam engines, what train do U think should be the runaway? Big Boy or Daylight?

[@Railfanunionpacific5277]

Ive seen one on my trip to Lamar CO - Cheyenne WY

[@Bkn348og]

Ahhh yes I love these trains btw remember me cause I don’t wanna make you forget me I’m bluekid nation

[@Skitsandroblox]

How come the rail Runner drives backwards

[@jlocke2496]

Have you covered the Royal Gorge Senic Railway by any chance?

[@patrlckballing]

Nice video! Btw what bells do they use

[@superbaddy4]

The MP36s use Graham White E-Bells, and the Cab Cars use Transtronic E-Bells.

[@patrlckballing]

Superbaddy4 thanks

[@CrazyDash9]

What’s the top speed on this line?

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

79 MPH

[@CrazyDash9]

A Very Random Person ok

[@vikranttodankar]

Can you put this train on the 2020 a year of trains in review

[@bjturon]

Nice video. This is a service that could really use DMUs or Hydrogen HEMU trains like the new Alstom iLint or Coradia Polyvalent 🤔

[@juans8417]

Video in San Jose cuz that's where I am right now

[@ajikumar2682]

Do you follow the same train or on different days