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Comet (passenger car)
Encyclopedia
The Comets are a class of locomotive-hauled railcars that was first designed in the late 1960s by Pullman-Standard as a modern commuter car for North American rail lines. Later, the Comet moniker was adopted by New Jersey Transit
for all of its non-powered single level commuter coaches. Additional series of cars bearing the Comet name, based on the original design have since been built by Bombardier Transportation
and Alstom
. The successful design was adopted by numerous commuter agencies.
These cars were the first of the Comet series, built by Pullman Standard in 1970-73 for the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad's diesel-hauled commuter services. These were considered state of the art at the time, due to their all-aluminum body shell construction as well as their use of head-end power (HEP). Their automated entrance doors, designed for use with low platforms only, earned them the nickname "Sliders".
In 1987, the fleet was rebuilt by Bombardier
at Barre, Vermont, with the cab cars and a number of trailer cars receiving high doors, for ADA access and future compatibility with high platforms. They were given NJ Transit logos adjacent to the entrance doors at this time.
The cars that retained low doors were retired from service in 2005. Many of the cars were sold to Utah Transit Authority
for the FrontRunner
service and to Metrolink
in 2008 to help with an acute car shortage there. The Comet I cars have become popular with western commuter lines as the low door setup is compatible with the low-platform stations in use. Eight Comet Is are also now operating with SEPTA.
New Jersey Transit retired the last of the Comet Is in early 2009.
, which had acquired the rights to the design from Pullman upon their folding. These cars feature high doors with traps for use at both low-platform and high-platform stations. The cars are near identical to the MBTA's
BTC-1 and CTC-1 cars, built in 1978 by Pullman Standard. These cars were intended for use on lines formerly operated by the Central Railroad of New Jersey
, operators of the famed Blue Comet
train to Atlantic City. This led to the New Jersey Transit series of single-level cars being known as Comets. These cars have since been overhauled to make them esthetically and technologically similar to the Comet IV series.
Shorliner I and II coaches, purchased by Metro-North and the Connecticut Department of Transportation
for use on non-electrified territories east of the Hudson River
, are based on this class. Metro-North also purchased Comet II coaches for use on the Port Jervis Line. These have since been transferred to the East-of-Hudson pool.
SEPTA Regional Rail
, and Agence métropolitaine de transport
also purchased cars based on this class.
. The major external differences are a stainless-steel exterior and larger windows.
Additionally, the "Comet" name has been applied to two distinct orders of coaches used on NJ Transit lines. As both orders had connections to the Arrow
series of electric multiple unit
(EMU) cars, they have become known as "Comaros", a portmanteau of "Comet" and "Arrow", and a play on the Chevrolet Camaro
.
for the MTA
from surplus shells remaining from the "Arrow III" EMU for NJDOT. They saw use primarily on the Port Jervis Line. These cars were retired in 2004.
in 1968-69. These cars suffered from chronic mechanical problems and were quickly replaced by an order of Arrow II cars. The car bodies had many decades of service left on them. Between 1986-1988 the cars were shipped to Morrison-Knudsen and converted into cab control and trailer coaches for non-electrified lines.
Agence métropolitaine de transport
in Quebec
leased 14 Comet IB cars in 2008. As of July 2010, these have been returned and are in storage.
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
for all of its non-powered single level commuter coaches. Additional series of cars bearing the Comet name, based on the original design have since been built by Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
and Alstom
Alstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
. The successful design was adopted by numerous commuter agencies.
Comet I
In 1987, the fleet was rebuilt by Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
at Barre, Vermont, with the cab cars and a number of trailer cars receiving high doors, for ADA access and future compatibility with high platforms. They were given NJ Transit logos adjacent to the entrance doors at this time.
The cars that retained low doors were retired from service in 2005. Many of the cars were sold to Utah Transit Authority
Utah Transit Authority
The Utah Transit Authority operates a public transportation system throughout the Wasatch Front of Utah, United States. It operates fixed route buses, express buses, ski buses, three light rail lines , and a commuter rail line from Salt Lake City to Pleasant View, north of Ogden. UTA is based in...
for the FrontRunner
FrontRunner
FrontRunner is a commuter rail system operated by the Utah Transit Authority , serving the northern portion of the Wasatch Front from Salt Lake Central Station to Ogden Union Station. The system opened 26 April 2008...
service and to Metrolink
Metrolink (Southern California)
Metrolink is a commuter rail system serving Los Angeles and the surrounding area of Southern California; it currently consists of six lines and 55 stations using of track....
in 2008 to help with an acute car shortage there. The Comet I cars have become popular with western commuter lines as the low door setup is compatible with the low-platform stations in use. Eight Comet Is are also now operating with SEPTA.
New Jersey Transit retired the last of the Comet Is in early 2009.
Comet II
In 1983, New Jersey Transit purchased these cars from BombardierBombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
, which had acquired the rights to the design from Pullman upon their folding. These cars feature high doors with traps for use at both low-platform and high-platform stations. The cars are near identical to the MBTA's
MBTA Commuter Rail
The MBTA Commuter Rail serves as the regional rail arm of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, in the United States. It is operated under contract by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company a joint partnership of Veolia Transportation, Bombardier Transportation and Alternate...
BTC-1 and CTC-1 cars, built in 1978 by Pullman Standard. These cars were intended for use on lines formerly operated by the Central Railroad of New Jersey
Central Railroad of New Jersey
The Central Railroad of New Jersey , commonly known as the Jersey Central Lines or CNJ, was a Class I railroad with origins in the 1830s, lasting until 1976 when it was absorbed into Conrail with the other bankrupt railroads of the Northeastern United States...
, operators of the famed Blue Comet
Blue Comet
thumb|right|New Jersey Southern RR and connectionsThe Blue Comet was a named passenger train operated by Central Railroad of New Jersey from 1929 to 1941 between the New York metropolitan area and Atlantic City. Designed by Central Railroad of New Jersey president R.B...
train to Atlantic City. This led to the New Jersey Transit series of single-level cars being known as Comets. These cars have since been overhauled to make them esthetically and technologically similar to the Comet IV series.
Shorliner I and II coaches, purchased by Metro-North and the Connecticut Department of Transportation
Connecticut Department of Transportation
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The current Commissioner of ConnDOT is Jeffrey Parker...
for use on non-electrified territories east of the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
, are based on this class. Metro-North also purchased Comet II coaches for use on the Port Jervis Line. These have since been transferred to the East-of-Hudson pool.
SEPTA Regional Rail
SEPTA Regional Rail
The SEPTA Regional Rail system consists of commuter rail service on thirteen branches to over 150 active stations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States and its suburbs. Service on most lines runs from 5:30 AM to midnight...
, and Agence métropolitaine de transport
Agence métropolitaine de transport
The Agence métropolitaine de transport is the umbrella organization that plans, integrates, and coordinates public transportation services across Canada's Greater Montreal Region, including the Island of Montreal, Laval , and communities along both the North Shore of the Rivière des Mille-Îles...
also purchased cars based on this class.
Comet III
The Comet III cars, ordered by New Jersey Transit in 1990, feature center doors and long end-doors, permitting end doors to open and close with traps open. The Metro-North Shoreliner III fleet is a variation without long doors.Comet IV
The Comet IV cars, ordered in 1996, are similar to the Comet III cars, except with no door by the engineer's cab. Metro-North's Shoreliner IV fleet are based on the same design.Comet V
These cars were ordered in 1999 by New Jersey Transit and Metro-North Railroad and delivered beginning in 2002. Unlike previous series which were built by Bombardier, the Comet Vs were built by AlstomAlstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
. The major external differences are a stainless-steel exterior and larger windows.
"Comaro" coaches
Arrow (railcar)
The Jersey Arrow is a type of electric multiple unit railcar developed for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and used through successive commuter operators in New Jersey, through to New Jersey Transit. Three models were built but only the third is in use today...
series of electric multiple unit
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
(EMU) cars, they have become known as "Comaros", a portmanteau of "Comet" and "Arrow", and a play on the Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is an automobile manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand, classified as a pony car and some versions also as a muscle car. It went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang...
.
Comet IA
Ten Comet IA cars (two cabs and eight trailers) were built in 1978 by Budd CompanyBudd Company
The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century....
for the MTA
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S...
from surplus shells remaining from the "Arrow III" EMU for NJDOT. They saw use primarily on the Port Jervis Line. These cars were retired in 2004.
Comet IB
The Comet IB cars were rebuilt from 30 former Penn Central Arrow I EMU cars originally built by the St. Louis Car CompanySt. Louis Car Company
The St. Louis Car Company was a major United States manufacturer of railroad passenger cars, streetcars, trolleybuses and locomotives that existed from 1887–1973, based in St. Louis, Missouri.-History:...
in 1968-69. These cars suffered from chronic mechanical problems and were quickly replaced by an order of Arrow II cars. The car bodies had many decades of service left on them. Between 1986-1988 the cars were shipped to Morrison-Knudsen and converted into cab control and trailer coaches for non-electrified lines.
Agence métropolitaine de transport
Agence métropolitaine de transport
The Agence métropolitaine de transport is the umbrella organization that plans, integrates, and coordinates public transportation services across Canada's Greater Montreal Region, including the Island of Montreal, Laval , and communities along both the North Shore of the Rivière des Mille-Îles...
in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
leased 14 Comet IB cars in 2008. As of July 2010, these have been returned and are in storage.
See also
- Horizon FleetHorizon (railcar)Amtrak's Horizon Fleet are rail cars based upon the Comet II commuter coach design. The coaches were built by Bombardier Transportation in Barre, Vermont in 1989.-Car design:...
— railcars operated by AmtrakAmtrakThe National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
similar in design to that of the Comets.