Gone, But Not Forgotten!

[BaltACD]

The Blue Comet was the idea of Roy B White when he headed the CNJ, later he became president of the B&O.

[Flintlock76]

Interesting story about that "Sopranos" sequence.

It was filmed in an actual train store, "Trainland" in Lynnbrook Long Island, NY.  The creator of the series, David Chase, ia a toy train fan himself and was familiar with the place.  Rather than create a toy train store on a set he went for the real thing.  The "shot-up" trains and boxes are on display at the store for all to enjoy.

"Trainland" had a sign in the front window after the show aired that said...

"Bobby Baccala 'bought it' at Trainland!"     Don't know if it's still there.   

There were two layouts created for Bobby to fall into, but only one was needed.  The actor playing Bobby, Steve Schirippa, got it done in one take!  Both layouts, plus Bobby's home layout, are on display at the New Jersey High-Railers train club in Paterson NJ, there to be seen by all on open-house days.

The O Gauge tinplate "pre-war" Blue Comet set Bobby never got to run is a reproduction, no original sets in as-new condition were able to be found.  $8,000 didn't surprise me, as far as mint condition pre-war Lionels are concerned the sky's almost the limit.  If Bobby had priced a mint condition Standard Gauge set THAT would have given him heart failure!

I've got an MTH Blue Comet set myself.  Every time I run it I think of poor Bobby and pray for his soul.   

[Miningman]

$8,000 bucks for a Blue Comet Lionel? I would have a heart attack before the hit men got there saving them their bullets. 

Even if the hit men couldn't do it that day, they could still save their bullets because his wife would kill him. 

Great scene though. Don't mind at all that the Santa Fe Diesel took a bullet. The Hudson falling into the abyss is symbolic. 

When Bobby says " he doesn't care" referring to his sons interest in the hobby and then later falls into the layout dead destroying it, I'm thinking that would be a fitting way to go. My kids don't care either despite being brought up with it so if I do a face plant into the layout breathing my last so be it. 

Well the gals have always loved their Chessie sleepware and their kids love Thomas so maybe there is hope yet, on a cutesy scale anyway. 

Great marketing and concept on the part of the Jersey Central. They certainly were the big little railroad. 

[Flintlock76]

The Jersey Central's fabulous "Blue Comet!"

Here's a story from todays nj.com, about the great train that ran from Jersey City to Atlantic City from 1929 to 1941, and inspired one of Lionel's classic train sets.

https://www.nj.com/news/2019/04/whats-a-blue-comet-and-why-is-it-a-part-of-enduring-jersey-shore-lore.html  

How nice, someone remembers.  It's not just down South that "...old times there are not forgotten!"

Here's the clip from that famous "Sopranos" episode.  Language alert!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld0l37eFpEU