It seems the beginning of the end is here.
It has been reported on another forum that 18 Comet Is were moved from Bay Head to the MMC. 20 Comet IIIs took their place in Bay Head
Also, it seems that there is one MultiLevel hooked up to a PL42AC for training. So we’ll probably see ML sets replacing the CIIIs soon.
I was never really a fan of the CIIIs, but it’s always sad to see the oldest in the fleet on its way out.
Do the “Comets” use the same body shell as the “Metroliners” and “Amfleet”? If so, good riddance.
Had a very nice ride, a while back, Bakersfield to Martinez (CA), on a “San Joaquin”. Those cars are super! I didn’t miss my “Superliner” bedroom connection with the “Coast Starlight” (thanks, UP!). We beat it to MTZ, by hours, even with the bus from LAX to BFD.
The Comets are similar to Amtrak’s Horizon cars. The biggest difference is that Amtrak uses a outside frame, equalized truck while NJT uses an inside frame, non-equalized truck.
The Comet I cars date back to NJT’s re-equipping of EL diesel-powered suburban service in 1971 or so and came at the same time as the U34CH’s. It’s not too surprising that they are being phased out.
Sorry, I should have clarified.
All the CIs were built in 1971 as low level cars. In 1987, some of the fleet were rebuilt with high-level doors, but some were not.
All the remaining low-level cars were retired in 2005.
Over the past couple years, all the CIs were retired and stored, or sold off, with the last set pulled from service in March (actually, it’s EXACTLY 8 months today).
The CIs moved from BH to the MMC were stored in BH, and relocated to the MMC, to make room down there for the CIIIs.
Hope this makes more sense.
A shame to see them go, I grew up with these cars and now they will be joining such things as the U34s which pulled them for years (mostly the CIs I would guess).