The Blue Comet Turns 90

sncf231e posted:

H0 factory painted brass model by OMI:

This is the most accurate version of the CNJ 831-835 series Pacifics I have ever seen. 

Not to pick on our MTH version Melgar, but while is it a very nice version of this locomotive it does not accurately capture the Wooten firebox as the HO OMI version does above.  I know I'm being overly picky, but I've been wanting an accurate CNJ Pacific for some time for my personal layout, specifically as operated in the early 50's until they were retired in 1953.

Also Camelback 592 pulled the BC at times in the later years.  An O Camelback Atlantic would be a nice addition to any passenger oriented steam era layout.

The bigger issue has always been the cars.  The baggage, baggage-coach, coaches, and observations were built new for the train by Bethlehem Ship Builders and while 72' is the correct length, they ran on AAR 4 wheel trucks and the windows are not paired as shown in nearly every heavyweight car produced in O.  These cars and many similar ones formed the backbone of CNJ's commuter operations.  There are real life examples in excursion service all over the country now, but no reasonable models.  The diner as many know was a 1880's  wood Pullman palace car that was converted by adding sheet steel to the outside to match the rest of the train.  It was an 80' car complete with its original truss rod body.  

Again, I only state this as it interests me to get an accurate set someday.  We all enjoy trains differently so seeing all the versions of this train is quite fun! 

I'm well aware of the apparent inaccuracy of the firebox on the MTH engine. I believe that the MTH Premier Blue Comet Pacific model was built on the MTH Premier New York Central Hudson chassis which, of course, is set up for a four-wheeled trailing truck. As a result, the two-wheeled trailing truck on the Blue Comet is placed too far aft. Thus, the trailing axle is too far behind the rear driving axle and the firebox is too long - by about an inch if I my recall is correct. It's still an impressive model in my opinion.

MELGAR

I agree, for what is out there in the mass produced market, it is a very fine model.  Was tempted by a two rail version recently but lack of available funding held me back. 

GG1 4877 posted:

I agree, for what is out there in the mass produced market, it is a very fine model.  Was tempted by a two rail version recently but lack of available funding held me back. 

Maybe this engine, or perhaps the entire train, would have a sufficient market for Sunset/3rd Rail.

MELGAR

One would be hard pressed to come up with a train/locomotive that has endured more indignity in model offerings than the Blue Comet, from pre-War Standard Gauge versions to today's offerings.  No idea why this is, but it is so.  Would love to see an accurate model of this fine train produced in 2R O-Scale, but not holding my breath.  Closest approach for today's O-Scaler would be the 2 rail MTH engine with Walthers repainted passenger cars, although the dining car still represents a challenge.  The train never had an RPO or a Pullman, despite model offerings.  

I have the Lionel MPC version as well as a Williams version. It seems the Lionel is more detailed & better colours as the Williams seems darker. I also have a set of Williams Blue Comet passenger cars. When I can get the time, I'll post pics.

I've been working on Scott Mann off and on to offer a set in O scale, but with a likely limited production run for the locomotive and the cars, it would have to be a brass offering.  Something in the range of 75 sets would probably go forward, maybe 50 in this market, but the price would run about $1600 for the locomotive or more and likely $400+ a car.  I'd like to see the set offered in the 1940's and early 50's commuter paint too less the diner as that is the era I model in two rail.  That means two sets for me! 

If there was enough interest in seeing the CNJ coach-combine-baggage-observation cars in the roughly 5-6 paint schemes they wore in service to get about 2000 cars are so, they could be done in plastic as well at a more favorable price.  The coaches ran up into 1983 on the Raritan Valley Line.  One of the observations ran until 1975 to Phillipsburg and the 1975 steam special used the same cars also less the combine and baggage as I recall.  I was only 6 when it went through my hometown.

GG1 4877 posted:

I've been working on Scott Mann off and on to offer a set in O scale, but with a likely limited production run for the locomotive and the cars, it would have to be a brass offering.  Something in the range of 75 sets would probably go forward, maybe 50 in this market, but the price would run about $1600 for the locomotive or more and likely $400+ a car.  I'd like to see the set offered in the 1940's and early 50's commuter paint too less the diner as that is the era I model in two rail.  That means two sets for me! 

If there was enough interest in seeing the CNJ coach-combine-baggage-observation cars in the roughly 5-6 paint schemes they wore in service to get about 2000 cars are so, they could be done in plastic as well at a more favorable price.  The coaches ran up into 1983 on the Raritan Valley Line.  One of the observations ran until 1975 to Phillipsburg and the 1975 steam special used the same cars also less the combine and baggage as I recall.  I was only 6 when it went through my hometown.

  

Would love to have a set of the correct CNJ equipment available in 2-Rail.  Undecorated plastic cars would be a good choice too if they weren't available in each of their six prototype schemes (CRRofNJ, CNJ, Blue Comet, CNJ herald only, CNJ almost-merged B&O, and NJ DOT).  One observation even got the NJ Transit silver scheme, but I don't know if this qualifies as another legitimate scheme, being only the single car.  Many of these cars also got second lives on tourist railroads in varying paint schemes.  Well worth an accurate model to make up for previous bogus offerings and remind folks that history and model railroading can go well together.

Bill Chaplik

I was going to comment more on prototypical possibilities, but don't want to take away from the fun people are having sharing their favorite versions and memories of the Blue Comet. So I started a separate thread to discuss a more prototypical representation here: https://ogrforum.com/...l-blue-comet-consist. Feel free to add your thoughts and possibilities to it! 

Finally had some time to snap a few pics and vid of my Cerulean Crusader. Excuse the background; in process of moving my layout. Swapped the PS3 sound set from the premiere because I didn’t like the whistle. The soundest is from the most recent release of the RK Blue Comet.

The Blue Comet is Mike Wolfe’s favorite train. Look at their corporate logo:

Sorry for the crude tabletop, I haven't sceniced the coach yard yet. This is my MPC Blue Comet from 1980, with its original engine on the main, and my MTH Priemier engine from 1999.

The original engine still runs great, and the sound of steam still works. Interesting to note it's almost as old now as the real train was when I got it all those Christmases ago.

Here's my Blue Comet out and about, before I upgraded it to dcc.

CSXJOE posted:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.co...station-diner-train/

 

 

The Clinton Station Diner in Clinton NJ uses a restored Blue Comet observation car as part of the restaurant.

 

 

 

 

Yes, It's the BUIELA. The same car involved in the wreck!

Here's The Blue Comet on the main.

k-liner posted:

CSXJOE posted:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.co...station-diner-train/

 

 

The Clinton Station Diner in Clinton NJ uses a restored Blue Comet observation car as part of the restaurant.

 

 

 

 

Yes, It's the BUIELA. The same car involved in the wreck!

That's also the name Lionel is using for this year's Lionchief Blue Comet observation car. I will be getting the announcement coach to run with my mpc set. Glad to see Lionel decided to use some new car names this time. Just wish they'd named the combine "Enecke" instead of "Halley".

Wish there was a BC blue six axle FM 2400 HP hood unit in real life.  That would have made an imtessive diesel!

Tinplate, scale or just any toy version of this iconic train is GOOD! ☺

Trainman2 posted:

k-liner posted:

CSXJOE posted:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.co...station-diner-train/

 

 

The Clinton Station Diner in Clinton NJ uses a restored Blue Comet observation car as part of the restaurant.

 

 

 

 

Yes, It's the BUIELA. The same car involved in the wreck!

That's also the name Lionel is using for this year's Lionchief Blue Comet observation car. I will be getting the announcement coach to run with my mpc set. Glad to see Lionel decided to use some new car names this time. Just wish they'd named the combine "Enecke" instead of "Halley".

I pass by that a couple of times a year. Never eaten there though I believe my parents and some other relations did before I was born.

It would be a great model to see 3rd Rail do IMO as well. See what comes I suppose.

90 Years? "ain't nutin that can live dat long" OH WAIT, DON'T SHOOT!

MELGAR posted:

GG1 4877 posted:

I agree, for what is out there in the mass produced market, it is a very fine model.  Was tempted by a two rail version recently but lack of available funding held me back. 

Maybe this engine, or perhaps the entire train, would have a sufficient market for Sunset/3rd Rail.

MELGAR

I would be interested in a 3rd rail GGD set

Clinton station diner in NJ, with Blue Comet observation car.

The food is great BTW.

scale rail posted:

90 Years? "ain't nutin that can live dat long" OH WAIT, DON'T SHOOT!

I was thinking of that very scene.

Our family enjoyed the Blue Comet steaming around the Christmas tree again this year. The real Blue Comet turned 90 this year, but this Christmas will be the 40th anniversary that Santa brought this one to me and my brothers!

rjsmithindy posted:

Our family enjoyed the Blue Comet steaming around the Christmas tree again this year. The real Blue Comet turned 90 this year, but this Christmas will be the 40th anniversary that Santa brought this one to me and my brothers!

I thought the MPC Blue Comet didnt come with a whistle.

TheRWBYRailfan posted:

rjsmithindy posted:

Our family enjoyed the Blue Comet steaming around the Christmas tree again this year. The real Blue Comet turned 90 this year, but this Christmas will be the 40th anniversary that Santa brought this one to me and my brothers!

I thought the MPC Blue Comet didnt come with a whistle.

We added a whistle after the Lionel Chessie Berkshire came out in 1980.  But you’re right - the Lionel/MPC Comet originally did not come with a whistle. 

Mason with his Blue Comet Christmas Day 2014. 
 We love this photo. 

NICK12DMC thanks for sharing- what a great photo!

To other forum members: any other Christmas photos or stories to share with your Blue Comet trains?  Merry Christmas everyone!

sncf231e posted:

I have some Blue Comets in various gauges:

H0 factory painted brass model by OMI:

RivaRossi interpretation in H0:

OMI left, RivaRossi right:

RivaRossi N gauge:

More pictures including 0 gauge and the cars in chapter 7.5 of my (free to download) e-book on luxury trains:

http://sncf231e.nl/non-ciwl-luxury-trainssmall-2/

Regards

Fred

That OMI model is the cat's meow!!!

George

There is actual pieces from the Blue Comet days as it ran through Lakewood, NJ. Pictures, a replica of the station, a conductor's outfit, hat, memoribilia in the Lakewood Historical Museum where my train club is located.

My slice of blue.  90 + years old. Prewar std. gauge 390 E.  Looks and runs as good as the day she donned her colors.  Pull down your garage if you could get a rope around it.  She’s a honey.  Oh yeah.

Cheers,       W1

Ted Bertiger posted:

There is actual pieces from the Blue Comet days as it ran through Lakewood, NJ. Pictures, a replica of the station, a conductor's outfit, hat, memoribilia in the Lakewood Historical Museum where my train club is located.

That warrants a visit. We may be down your way sometime next month. 

John

rjsmithindy posted:

NICK12DMC thanks for sharing- what a great photo!

To other forum members: any other Christmas photos or stories to share with your Blue Comet trains?  Merry Christmas everyone!

Santa brought The Blue Comet for my daughter’s 1st Christmas

Awesome thread guts. Beautiful trains!

My town was one of the stops for the Blue Comet. Just a couple of months ago, I attended an event where they screened the “Trail of the Blue Comet” documentary. There were some guest speakers, including the man that made the film, and some local residents who had stories about the Comet. It was a very interesting event.
As a guy who has spent decades rolling around the Pine Barrens in a rusty, old Jeep, I was already pretty familiar with the area where it wrecked.

My set on its first run in 2 years.