GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Well, I got some neat new projects for a future rainy day-

Comet III push-pull cars

Prototype Info

The "Comet" series of commuter cars began with the Pullman Standard cars for the Erie Lackawanna between 1968 and 1971. The title "Comet", however, was not officially bestowed onto the cars until the 1982 order of the "Comet IIs", a direct development by Bombardier of the original Pullman Standard design. These were NJ transit's first "New" cars. They were purchased to replace the steam-heated commuter cars then in service, specifically the 1920s era CNJ suburban Push-pull trains. The name "Comet" is a reference to the CNJ's Blue comet.

The Comet IIIs were initially ordered by NJ Transit in 1991. Built by Bombardier, these cars were the first of the "comet" series to feature a High-level Center Door (similar to the Jersey Arrows) for faster boarding and increased accessibility. they were rated at 100 MPH in pull, and 90 MPH in push mode. The cars came in three versions, a coach, coach with toilet, and a cab control car (which also featured a toilet). Metro North and SEPTA also purchased their own versions of this car.

Despite being relatively young, NJ Transit's Comet IIIs are currently in storage, while many older models continue to run in revenue service. As it turns out, while the cars were not unreliable, they were never updated or rebuilt like many of the older Comet IIs were. This resulted in the Comet III class falling behind. Ultimately, NJ Transit opted to put its budget into the new Multi-level cars, rather than rebuilding the Comet IIIs. Indeed, a handful of the 1968 Comet I cars outlasted them before their retirement.


The Models

The models were produced by Imperial Hobby Productions, but they have been out of production for a while. I have newly acquired a cab-car and toilet coach, which joined my other two Comet III coaches. These had sat unfinished since I lacked the cab control car to make a prototypical consist. As I understand it, the Comet IIs and Comet IIIs could not be mixed on NJ Transit (this does not appear to be the case on SEPTA, which appears to sprinkle one or two into each considy).

These will get painted for NJ Transit, though if I can find some more regular Comet III trailers, I may paint them as SEPTA cars to replace some of my more beat-up SEPTA Comet IIs.

Fortunately, these kits straight forward, and unlike my Arrows, they should go together quickly once painted.

Comet IIIs at Newark Penn Station



Conrail N5K class caboose


I was flipping through the "Conrail Color Guide to Freight Equipment", when I came across a photo of an odd looking caboose that was clearly rebuilt, classified N5K.

As it turns out, the Penn Central purchased some 1951 era ATSF cabooses in 1970 to supplement its own caboose fleet. These cabooses had their cupolas cut down to a stump, and its windows plated over. Bay Windows were then added to the sides. Conrail eventually relegated them to transfer caboose service.

I figured it was a fairly neat class of caboose, but I didn't think to much of it until browsing through my train club's flea market. As it turns out, Athearn produces the exact class of Caboose from which the N5K was derived, and a partially blown out example of which was for sale cheaply right there!

The model is missing its windows, and the cupola is partially chipped, but then those are two aspects of the caboose that won't matter if I go through the rebuild! Indeed, the only thing holding me back from going for it is I'm not sure how I want to build the Bay windows. Otherwise, it looks like a fun, easy kitbash.

Additionally, the Mount Vernon Shops Decal set actually has the appropriate N5K decals.

This caboose actually still exists, though converted into a hotel.



Here is a surviving Un-rebuilt verson of the caboose.




NEW ARROW III AND SILVERLINER IV MARRIED PAIRS

The level of excitment about these is only really dawning on me now. I recently acquired a large number of spare parts for the IHP Arrow and Silverliner IV kits. As it turns out however, I actually had enough spare parts from other sources to ALMOST finish TWO more Arrow III Married pairs (4 cars), as well as an additional Silverliner IV married pair. After contacting IHP, the manufacturer of these its, I have convinced them to make me the remaining parts to complete these kits!


Arrow IIIs

Arrow III Married pairs are amongst the rarer models out there, long out of production. Most of mine I got for doing custom paint work, and I only ever purchased one pair myself, way back in October 2008. That was literally the last time I EVER saw one for sale.

The Married pair sets of the Arrow IIIs were always more numerous (100 Pairs [200 cars] vs 30 single units), and so every Married par I can get helps. This will give me 9 pairs, enough to run two 8 car trains entirely consisting of Married pairs, a common arrangement. I also have 4 Arrow III singles in good shape, and another two that I might be able to get back into working order, for a total of 24 cars.

This means I have enough cars to split my consists into reasonable and manageable 4 to 6 car sets, making my goal of modelling "1 hour" of the Northeast Corridor that much more feasible.


Silverliner IVs


Having an Additional Silverliner IV Married pair also makes me feel easier. The Philadelphia Commuter scene was historically split between the PRR and the Reading Company. As a result, the city of Philadelphia would purchase railcars for both railroads, and they would in turn specify minor differences depending on the railroad's preference.

While I already did have one Silverliner IV Married Pair body shell kit, I was unsure of whether to paint the model for Penn Central/Conrail, or the Reading Company. Now I don't have to choose!

To make things even more convenient, unlike NJ DOT/NJ Transit, SEPTA seemed to prefer to mix in its Single Unit cars. A common Silverliner IV consist includes 2 Single Units and a Married Pair. As I already have 5 Single units (2 Penn Central, 2 Reading, 1 ex-Reading SEPTA Block logo), this will allow me to model representative trains from each "Half" of Philadelphia's Commuter railroads.

While I haven't been able to pick a specific Ex-Reading Company Unit (I'll probably look through my photos for any train I specifically road on), I have selected my "PRR" side unit!

Silverliner IV pair 394-395 are LITERALLY split with Penn Central logos on the former, and Conrail Logos on the latter. Conrail logos were VERY briefly applied to some of SEPTA's silverliners, including two Silverliner IIs, and at least one Silverliner III. As Conrail's Headquarters was in Philadelphia, this was quickly noticed the upper management, who had these Conrail logos quickly removed. Conrail wanted as little to do with Commuter operations as possible!

While the appropriate Conrail Decals may be difficult to find, I suspect Conrail Vehicle Decals (for trucks) might be close enough.



Here is the typical Reading Company Silverliner IV Married pair. One of the things that separated the Reading Company MUs from the PRR ones was the use of cow catchers instead of traditional "pilots". These remained on the Reading Silverliner IIs until retirement, and were only relatively recently removed from the former Reading Silverliner IVs now in service.



At least one Silverliner III was painted for Conrail. Lucky for me, I have one more Silverliner III that I have not yet decaled, but has already been through the paint shop!
Its ripe for finishing!




Speaking of Interesting pictures...


Thank you cnj1524 for those photos and that Pantograph manual, as well as the spare decal sheets! Those are really some of the most amazing shots I've ever seen of Conrail's electric operations. I got a serious kick out of that E44 hauled freight with a whole consist of Southern railway passenger cars (dome car included!) snaking its way through Elizabeth.

There was also at least one good shot facing "west" at North elizabeth from the "east" side, apparently a rare angle! To top it off, there is another set of E44s hauling what I assume to be a dead Amtrak GG1 east bound! Epic shots indeed! I also noticed a few shots of the E44s I eventually chose to model (4456 and 4465), which are really cool.

Thank you again!