Today 2-21 marks the 85th anniversary of the start of service of the Blue Comet from Jersey City to Atlantic City. It lasted until 1941.
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is there any restoration efforts to make one of these hudsons a comet again? I never looked anything up on it. guess I need to start! thanks for post
Chris
Originally Posted by Chris D:
is there any restoration efforts to make one of these hudsons a comet again?
Chris
What "Hudsons" are you referring to? The Central Railroad of New Jersey trains were hauled by Pacific class locomotives, as they didn't have any "Hudsons".
My brain was stuck on the lionel mpc unit. So pacifics were the only used. so my MTH unit looks more like the real thing. never knew that, thanks. Originally Posted by Hot Water:
Originally Posted by Chris D:
is there any restoration efforts to make one of these hudsons a comet again?
Chris
What "Hudsons" are you referring to? The Central Railroad of New Jersey trains were hauled by Pacific class locomotives, as they didn't have any "Hudsons".
Originally Posted by Chris D:
My brain was stuck on the lionel mpc unit. So pacifics were the only used. so my MTH unit looks more like the real thing.
For what it's worth, the Jersey Central didn't even own any Hudsons.
My brain was stuck on the lionel mpc unit. So pacifics were the only used. so my MTH unit looks more like the real thing. never knew that, thanks.
Chris
The MPC locomotive is a very nicely painted 1970s version of a 1950s toy.
The MTH Premier locomotive is a very accurate 1:48 scale model of the real thing.
Some times a ten wheeler pinch hit for a Pacific.
MTH makes a very accurate O scale model of that locomotive too. 
Originally Posted by Ted Hikel:
My brain was stuck on the lionel mpc unit. So pacifics were the only used. so my MTH unit looks more like the real thing. never knew that, thanks.
Chris
The MPC locomotive is a very nicely painted 1970s version of a 1950s toy.
The MTH Premier locomotive is a very accurate 1:48 scale model of the real thing.
Some times a ten wheeler pinch hit for a Pacific.
MTH makes a very accurate O scale model of that locomotive too.
Lione MPC of the 1970's did paint locomotives into non-real liveries. . But if did not have those trains back then, we would not have the trains we have now.
CNJ queston...Were the open end, railed observation cars sometimes viewed on the rear of NY&LB CNJ trains of the '60s, the same ones used on the Comet??? I suspect these were being used as some kind of subscriber cars, such as were had by the Lackawanna on the M&E electric line.
I have seen a photo of the sole surviving Jersey Camelback, 4-4-2 No. 592 in the B&O Museum, pulling the BLUE COMET.
I cannot confirm or deny that a Camelback Ten-Wheeler like No. 774 was used on the BLUE COMET. But it seems to me that such a locomotive would not have the speed required.
Des anyone know for certain?
BLUE COMET observation No. 1178 ,the DE VICO, was used on commuter trains between Phillipsburg and Newark, where connections on the Pennsy (Northeast Corridor) ran to Penn Station, Manhattan.
After that, NJ TRANSIT used the DE VICO as a track inspection car.
But it seems to me that such a locomotive would not have the speed required.
The L-7as ten wheelers had 69 inch drivers. That is the same size as many Pacifics, the USRA 4-8-2s and NKP 765. Sixty-nine inch drivered locomotives can make good speed.
Originally Posted by Ted Hikel:
But it seems to me that such a locomotive would not have the speed required.
The L-7as ten wheelers had 69 inch drivers. That is the same size as many Pacifics, the USRA 4-8-2s and NKP 765. Sixty-nine inch drivered locomotives can make good speed.
The UP 3900 class Challengers also had/have 69" diameter drive wheels, and I can tell you from first hand experience that I have been on UP 3985 at over 70MPH. Those CNJ Ten Wheeler camel backs would do well over 70MPH.
I reviewed some of my CNJ employee and public timetables of the period and, based upon maximum authorized speeds and published times of arrival and departure, maintaining the Blue Comet's schedule was certainly within the capabilities of an L-7as class locomotive.
Equipment substitution on the Blue Comet was somewhat common, particularly during the later years of the train's operation. If the 831, 832 or 833 were not available, substitute power was typically provided by another Pacific or a Camelback Atlantic. Rolling stock painted in standard CNJ green could and did serve in Blue Comet service as well.
Bob
