COMETS AND SILVERLINERS

[al-in-chgo]

Can someone tell me roughly which generation of NJT Comets correspond to which generation of SEPTA Silverliners?  And do the newest NJT coaches, which are bi-levels, fit into the categorization? 

I'd appreciate it if you could . . .  trying to get things straight here.  - a. s.

 

[daveklepper]

The first Silverliners were much earlier than the first Jersey Arrows (similar to Silverliners), and the first Jersey Arrows earlier than Comets. The NJT Jersey Arrows are the electric mu's.   The Comets are the coaches and cabcars for push-pull and simple trailer service.   The double-deckers are also coaches and cabcars for push-pull service and are not Comets nor Jersey Arrows and are the newest now still being delivered.  Someone else can provide the exact dates.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The first Silverliners (excluding those from the North Shore Line) began operation out of Philadelphia on PRR and RDG about 1963.  The first Jersey Arrows began operation around 1969 and earned a listing in Donald Steffee's annual speed survey in TRAINS in which a rush-hour express had a scheduled average speed of 80.5 MPH non-stop from Trenton to Newark.  The Comets picked up the name well after they were delivered and began operation in 1971 on the EL diesel lines, U34CH's were the motive power.

[al-in-chgo]

Fascinating!  I must say, on my trip to Phillly and Newark last year, I was really impressed by those new bi-level cars coming into service.  The exterior is not fluted, in fact it looks riveted, but the ride was great.  Believe they were pulled by an ALP something or other rather than m.u., but am not sure.  - al