Dinky Cars and Doodle Bugs in Mineral Wells, Texas, were the small, gasoline-powered and electric-powered motor cars used in Mineral Wells in the early 20th Century. Dinky cars took visitors to Lakewood Park until 1909 to transport people to Lake Pinto for the Famous Water Company’s attractions: picnics and other leisure activities, andDoddle Bugs ran on the Weatherford, Mineral Wells, and Northwestern Railway
These gas-powered Dinky Cars were named “Esther,” “Susie,” and “Ben Hur“. These unique streetcars ran on their own tracks, offering scenic rides and a novel way to reach recreation areas before the railway shut down in 1909, leaving behind historic photos and track remnants.
The Mineral Wells & Lakewood Park Railway was chartered on March 1, 1907, and began operating on May 12th, 1907. The railway operated on 2.5 miles of track, with a gauge of 4 feet and 8½ ½ inches, using electricity and gas-powered vehicles.
Key Details About the Dinky Cars:
- Purpose: Transported visitors from town to Lake Pinto, a popular spot for the Famous Water Company.
- Operation: Ran every 15 minutes, powered by gasoline engines, a rarity for streetcars then.
- Names: Included “Esther,” “Susie” (named for banker Cicero Smith’s daughters), and the larger “Ben Hur”.
- Significance: They were a unique part of Mineral Wells’ early tourism and transportation, distinct from the city’s main trolley system.
- Legacy: Photos and local history preserve their memory, with some track remnants potentially still visible in certain areas.
Illustrated above is the intersection of the “Doodle Bug” and “Dinky Car” tracks at the southwest corner of the Gibson Well property, NW 6th Street and NW 2nd Avenue. There were two “Doodle Bug” 200-horsepower, gasoline engine-powered motor coaches. The first one ran from Mineral Wells to Graford on the Weatherford, Mineral Wells, & Northwestern Railroad (WMWNW) tracks. It was joined later by a second similar coach that ran from Mineral Wells to Seymour on the Gulf Texas and Western (GT&W) line. In the photograph, the narrow-gauge dinky tracks run east-west along 6th Street, crossing the wider standard-gauge railroad tracks running north-south (left to right in the picture). The Gibson Well Park and Drinking Pavilion are also shown in the picture.
Two Dinky Cars, gasoline-powered motor cars on the Lakewood Scenic Railway, made round trips each quarter hour from the Mineral Wells depot to Lake Pinto.
The Dinky cars, Esther and Suzie, were named after the banker and co-owner, Cicero Smith’s daughters. The cars were joined in 1908 by a larger car—the Ben Hur (Pictured above).
Doodle Bugs
Built in 1912 by the McKeen Motor Car Company, this “doodle bug” would go on to serve the Weatherford, Mineral Wells, and Northwestern Railway. Later numbered as WMW&NW #11, this bug weighed in at 37.5 tons and measured 100 feet long. The intended purpose was for passengers, and they were capable of seating up to 105 passengers. However, these locomotives were known to haul freight on the line as well. It is believed that the two WMW&NW doodlebugs eventually went to the Texas and Pacific Railway.
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