Nwe Jersey Central's Blue Comet
Arcadia Publishing, 2017. First edition. Softcover. Illustrated softcovers. Fine, bright copy. 127 pp. Illustrated throughout with vintage photographs and reproductions. Pictorial history of the legendary passenger train the "Blue Comet", an limited that ran from the New York City area to Atlantic City from 1929 to 1941. It was run by the Central Railroad of New Jersey and whisked passengers from Jersey City (after a ferry ride from Manhattan) to Atlantic City in three hours, being capable of reaching a speed of 100 mph in some stretches, powered by G3 Pacific steam engines. The locomotive, passenger cars, tickets, upholstery, and conductor uniforms were all in shades of Packard Blue and ultramarine in homage to the ocean, and cream to represent the Jersey Shore's sandy beaches. The Blue Comet offered upscale accommodations at coach prices was was deigned to compete for Atlantic City passenger traffic with the Pennsylvania Railroad's "Nellie Bly" on which there was an upcharge for parlor seating. The train eventually fell victim to the Great Depression with service being reduced to once daily in 1933. Lionel Trains founder Joshua Lionel Cowan was a frequent passenger on the Blue Comet which inspired the manufacturing beginning in 1930 of a standard gage model of the train; original Blue Comet Lionel trains command a large premium in the collectible market and one was even used as a plot point in the final episode of the HBO series "The Sopranos" Fine. Item #E35736
ISBN: 9781467126540
Price: $19.95