The ''Comet'' was a diesel-electric
streamliner
A streamliner is a vehicle incorporating wikt:streamline, streamlining in a shape providing reduced air resistance. The term is applied to high-speed railway trainsets of the 1930s to 1950s, and to their successor "High-speed rail, bullet trai ...
built in 1935 for the
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad by the
Goodyear-Zeppelin Company.
Smaller than the other streamliners, it was a three-car, double-ended train that could operate in both directions and thus did not need to be turned at destinations—ideal for the New Haven's cramped terminus at South Station in Boston.
It was initially placed into service between
Boston, Massachusetts and
Providence, Rhode Island on a 44-minute schedule; later, intermediate stops were added at
Back Bay in Boston and
Pawtucket/Central Falls, Rhode Island, on an advertised "44 miles in 44 minutes" schedule. It ran 5 daily round trips on weekdays, and was often used for weekend excursion trips. This service lasted until the beginning of
World War II, when increased traffic volume overwhelmed the capacity of the ''Comet'', after which it was placed on local commuter services around the Boston area. The trainset was withdrawn from service in 1951 and scrapped.
The interior was furnished with 48 seat in each power car, and 64 in the center car divided into two sections: a smoking section seating 28 and a non-smoking seating 36. Seating was of the 'walk-over' type, and all seats were coach-class; there being no provision for first- or parlor-class seating.
[Railway Age. April 27, 1935. p. 634]
The exterior was machined aluminum in a whorled pattern with color bands of bright blue enamel at window height, dark blue enamel at wheel level, and a gray enamel roof. The whole exterior was covered with a coat of clear varnish to prevent tarnishing. The front ends were sharply raked, with a pointed "chin"
pilot.
References
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"Latest Diesel-Engine Train Built Like Airships" ''Popular Mechanics'', July 1935*
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External links
{{NH named trains
Passenger trains of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
North American streamliner trains
Articulated passenger trains
Named passenger trains of the United States
Railway services introduced in 1935
Diesel multiple units of the United States