New Jersey Central Blue Comet Train Notebook

From www.railphotoexpress.biz The New Jersey Seashore's Finest Train. Extra Air Conditioned accommodations at the regular coach fare. Trains ran between New York and Atlantic City , N.J. Inaugurated on February 21, 1929 by The Central Railroad of New Jersey the Blue Comet was designed to provide coach passengers with deluxe air conditioned equipment, accommodations, and service at a regular coach fare. As the Blue Comet made its way to Atlantic City, it was put on display for patrons, railfans, and local residents to see and inspect. Thousands of spectators along the line came to see the new train. This was in part due to a clever ad campaign via radio and newspaper which stoked the public's interest. Following its first arrival in Atlantic City, a formal dinner was held for railroad officials at the Hotel Dennis. Billed as the Seashore's Finest Train, It was a "Symphony in Blue." The Blue Comet would offer extra accommodations at the regular coach fare and have assigned seats so passengers knew exactly where they would sit and it was pulled by new G3s Pacific Locomotives built by The Baldwin Locomotive Works. The PRR charged extra for its all parlor car Atlantic City Limited and its New York Limited. In addition, the PRR charged extra fees for parlor cars on the Nellie Bly. The Blue Comet ran on schedule 97% of the time for the first five years. Eventually,the depression and the Pennsylvania Railroads direct access to New York took the life out of the Blue Comet. The train's last run was on September 27, 1941, from Atlantic City to Jersey City. Its main competitor,the Nellie Bly, lasted until 1961.