Speaking of Passenger Service

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Here is a good reprensentative of my NJ DOT commuter fleet.

From the left, one of my new Arrow II MUs in progress on Track 4, GG1 #4883 on Track 3, on track 2 Ex-Great Northern Coach on the Jersey Builder (need to finish that GP40P), and finally on track 1, an Arrow III single unit.



I'm really excited about my Jersey Arrows. I not only recently received 2 of the 4 pairs of Arrow IIs, but I also got one of the last Arrow III models being sold by IHP, which was formerly their display model for shows. Its in good shape, and just needs trucks and a pantograph.

My newest Arrow III is in the foreground, ahead of one of my other "single" type Arrow III MUs. My Arrow II pair is parked nearby for comparison. These Arrows share very similar body construction, but could be distinguished by their differing intake "blister" styles (a single medium blister on the Arrow II, as opposed to two small blisters on the Arrow III) and air scoops, amongst more minor details. Arrow IIs also used the "faively" single arm pantographs as opposed to the Stemman double arm type used on the Arrow I and III.

The Arrow IIs only came as Married pairs however, unlike the Arrow IIIs which were produced in both single and married pair configurations.









My new Arrow III, sitting on trucks borrowed from one of my Silverliner IIIs. I'll probably end up using these for my Arrows (technically, half the trucks used on my other Silverliner IIIs I borrowed from my unbuilt Arrow III married pairs, but i'll probably be taking them back soon).




Another neat project will by "NJ DOT 4437", ex New York Central 37, a "Tavern lounge" built by Budd in 1947. in the past month, I have been onboard three of these by chance. #37 is at the Cape May Seashore Lines, 38 was visiting national train day at 30th Street, Philadelphia, and 43 was at the Grand Central Centennial in New York City.

These cars continued service as tavern lounges on commuter trains to Bayhead, NJ over the New York and Long Branch to the Jersey Shore. They were also used occasionally on some clocker trains. These were usually hauled behind a GG1 and exchanged for E8s at South Amboy, where the wire ended, though after Conrail they also showed up in "Jersey Builder" trains.



I also have a Penn Central ex L&N coach car side on the way, as well as a few ex-army Amtrak pub and baggage dorm cars, which will be fun. I'll save the Amtrak stuff for an other post.