Comet I Takeover: Gladstone service this weekend has been overtaken mostly by classic Pullman-Standard Comet I equipment hauled by diesels due to overhead wire work. These cars were purchased in the late 1960s and were fully retired from passenger service on NJ Transit by 2009. NJT 5129 is preparing to depart east and has NJT 4123 (F40PH-2CAT) on the rear. The train to the left in the photo has just arrived from the east with NJT 5132 on the rear (MNCR 4190, GP40PH-2, leading, not shown) and is temporarily holding on the Freight House Track to allow the eastbound to depart. The cab cars were originally built for the Erie Lackawanna and New Jersey Department of Transportation as EL 1529 and EL 1532, respectively.
The Rock Island was an also-ran in the markets it served competing the likes of the Santa Fe Super Chief and Burlington Denver Zephyr, but it did its best to put on a good show.
