General Electric U34CH & Dieseliner Coaches by Pullman Standard

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

I hear that we are 2 weeks away from release of the NJT U34CH and Hi-Door Coaches. But seriously, until we read Gary Dozel's loving prose and praise for the unit how do we really know for sure? I can see the title now: " U-Boats on the Hudson - GE sounds the alarm and dives into the commuter market"

You don't need Dozel to praise your work.

You have proven over the years the quality of your work, the dedication to your route, the depth of your research. And now you've inspired a model creator of proven skill to realise the final touch: a complete and unique train set.

[Chacal]

Dozall, guys.

[minerman146]

Thank you ... I would say not bad for spelling Gary Dolzall off the top of my head - but I would be wrong wouldn't I?
Please do not hold my misspelling against me - but if you call me MynerMahn I will understand.

[Schnauzahpowahz]

2 weeks! Im excited to run somthing that makes NJT lines in game a worthwhile drive

..ill see myself out
*shields self from Alp and arrow3 lovers throwing toematers*

[minerman146]

You don't need Dozel to praise your work.

You have proven over the years the quality of your work, the dedication to your route, the depth of your research. And now you've inspired a model creator of proven skill to realise the final touch: a complete and unique train set.

All gushing aside ... part of my plan was 'if you build it, he will come".
Now in the world of DTG - if you build it - then Gary comes and writes an article about it and announces the release date!

[minerman146]

2 weeks! Im excited to run somthing that makes NJT lines in game a worthwhile drive

..ill see myself out
*shields self from Alp and arrow3 lovers throwing toematers*

Let me tell you - and its gonna take a paragraph, about the model. (when talking to Cesar I refer to the work as 'the model', 'your model' or 'our model") I have driven 24 iterations of this thing over the past 2 months. I haven't talked about the experience until now - since you brought it up Schnauzah. It doesn't feel like a typical passenger set, it has a heft to it, a weighty-ness about it when you drive it. I sense the mass of it. Seeing the coaches for the first time, the proportions which are a little odd in real-life has been captured. The off white exterior of the coaches emphasizes the light weight of the aluminum coaches You will find your self outside this train frequently to watch it blast by at 65 mph. The cab controls, particularly in the U34CH and its control stand are just so on and its unique. The interior of the engine looks used, you know, that 'lived in look' All the controls on the control panel are accessible via a center position so you can flip some switches. What we lack in modern 'blinky lights' we make up for with manly toggle switches. There are a dozen working switches - really! But I don't want to spoil all the little details that you will soon see for yourself. Unfortunately we ran out of time to do the bathroom in the cab car. At one point I was researching the snack-bar car components too. I had every single vendor and the part numbers - from 50 years ago, so it was a challenge to find stuff on the internet. Also not one interior photograph of that snack bar car. So that got a pass. But back to a worthwhile drive. I was talking about the sense of mass before. What you will also feel is the power, this has intense pickup. Remember with the HEP set your running at full power with a continuous 960 RPM and 1000 amps. Pop into notch one, get the ties moving and then slap it into 8. 6 axles gives you a sound traction foot print to take off with - you can 'feel it'. The sound of the unit is dampened in the cab, but not quiet. The exterior is another story - it is freakin loud. Just for that I love it.

I could go on - but lets just bask in all this late 1960s, second generation diesel goodness and technology.

[minerman146]

Here are some nice winter shots:

20200315111551_1.jpg

20200315111619_1.jpg

[TheR62Fan]

Hey Minerman, just wondering, I'm not sure if you said the Comet II might be made. In your original post for the U34CH, there was an asterisk next to Comet II in the section of what wouldn't be in the pack.

Then now is the time to mention the asterisk on the Comet II. The 1987 Rebuild Project of the Comet 1, which add the "High-Doors", changed the control stand, gave new seating, windows and NJT Logo. This is under consideration as well as Comet II by Bombardier. This is a logical progression as Bombardier acquired Pullman's designs. The Pullman Standard Coach (referred to as the Comet I) and Bombardier's Comet II fill in a modeling gap in game for New Jersey transit motive power and passenger equipment.

It was mentioned that the Bombardier rebuild and the Comet II were under consideration. So, in essence, will it be in the pack?



P.S. The reason I'm asking is because I need some Comet IIs to run my ALP-44s with on the NEC, and it could be used as Shoreliner I and II stand-ins for MN operations. Even if the asnwer is no, then the lack of a middle door on the Comet I will be enough to say it works as a reskin. Metro north also owns 22 Comet IIs as well!

Metro North Comet II.jpg

[minerman146]

TheR62Fan - Thanks for you questions and the picture!
What you have is the "Comet II' these were built in 1983 after Bombardier Acquired Pullman's drawings. The spotting difference is the the recessed marker lights and that continued on through all subsequent interactions.

What you get in the pack (at the moment)

U34CH in NJ Transit "Disco Livery"
Pullman Dieseliner Coach (Comet I) in NJ Transit Livery with Low Door, window sash and 2x2 seating
Pullman Dieseliner Cab Car (Comet I) in NJ Transit Livery with Low Door window sash and 2x2 seating
Pullman Dieseliner Coach 1987 Bombardier Rebuild (Comet I) in NJ Transit Livery with High Door, Animated Traps, No Window Sash and 2X3 Seating
Pullman Dieseliner Cab Car 1987 Bombardier Rebuild (Comet I) in NJ Transit Livery with High Door, Animated Traps, No Window Sash and 2X3 Seating and and EPIC throttle

Note the rebuilds are native to New Jersey Transit, Metro North got the 'pure' Bombardier 1983 "Comet II" Coaches and Cab Cars.
While we have research material ready to go for the Comet II, at the moment, and will all the brake testing work done on the U34CH we have been focused for much longer than we thought on this initial release.

[TheR62Fan]

Hey minerman, I have another question as well, though it may be considered off topic. Where did you get the drawings and design plans for the Comet I? The reason I’m asking is I am slowly gathering information on the Metro North ACMU to possibly get myself started on the TS model learning curve, they were also built by Pullman. Perhaps the same place that had the comet I blueprints also has ones for the ACMU?

The Link to the only pair of preserved ACMUs http://danburyrailwaymuseum.org/acmu.htm

Sorry if I went off topic Buzz.

[minerman146]

Yet more sad news on the licensing front. Regarding the NJDOT logo. DTG has advised that New Jersey Transit controls this mark as well. And as they want to keep the image of a modern company - again NO PRE-1983 livery or logos. The lesson here is before your make that model, send a picture of the paintjob you want to do BEFORE building the model. (if you want a properly licensed Model)

Now I understand what its so difficult to get (You favorite railroad here) on o Steam. Remember its not like the entire company votes on approval. It could be a department, a committee or even just one person making that decision. I swear reading the responses, I sense I am dealing with 30 year old female marketing person. (Those are VERY VERY OLD). I so wish I could plead my case as they are current painting (NJT) rolling stock with the two marks I am interested in as well as others that have been out of business for over 45 years. Like a moron, I assumed the 'heritage' aspect would be a hook. It is most certainly the prerogative of NJTransit, who is empowered by the voters and taxpayers of the great State of New Jersey, to portray their utility in a fashion that they see fit . I do apologize for potentially diminishing their image, I only meant to honor their past.

So, after 2 years, $1,200 bucks, letters, phone calls and generally begging, I got torpedoed not by Dovetail but by New Jersey Transit.
And the brakes are still not working properly. I accepted the risk when I started this project and was willing to underwrite it to make a dream come true.

It would have been so cool to see Gary write about the Blue Birds in some pre=release write up.

[TheR62Fan]

And as they want to keep the image of a modern company - again NO PRE-1983 livery or logos.

Then why is does 4109 exist in its old CNJ livery? I guess it's considered a heritage unit and not a pre-1983 locomotive (even though it was built in 1964)??? New Jersey Transit seems to have as much contempt for older locomotives as CSX for steam. I thought they would have embraced this as a celebration of the past, and how they can improve for the future. Is it really gonna ruin the image of the company if some Train Sim that no regular commuter cares about? This is made to represent a livery during the time where commuter service was finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel overall! This is also an issue for many, many commuter companies (SEPTA, Metra, etc,...) They seem to be afraid of train simulators as they can "tarnish" the image of their company if an accident is recreated on YouTube. Again, no normal commuter is gonna care.

I'm sorry if I went on a rant, but I find it highly hypocritical if they want to celebrate the past with heritage units and shun a heritage locomotive. Perhaps I am over-looking something.


Perhaps, in the end, we could have an EL logo (if NS approves) and no NJDOT.

[cnwfan]

Minerman146... just release a "generic" repaint friendly scheme for the locomotive and cars. Call it Anywhere Transit or something that can't possibly be confused with a regular commuter rail agency. Then let the helpful and resourceful repainters here at RWA work their magic for those "heritage" schemes. No sense abandoning a bunch of work because of some pencil pushing state bureaucrat. As we like to say at work, it's a problem for our competitors, and an opportunity for us.

[minerman146]

* Correct: I am recommending versions of the Comet 1 and U34CH be released without marks to cover the NJTDOT and transitional Silver Nosed NJT Locomotive.

* I have word that the approved NJTransit Disco U34CH and 1987 Rebuild Version of the Comet 1 (Hi and Low Door) are to be released ...
Tomorrow, 25 March 2020.

So far I have not seen official notification and certainly have not seen any of Gary's wonderful prose regarding the U34CH at this time.

[rarecommonsense]

* Correct: I am recommending versions of the Comet 1 and U34CH be released without marks to cover the NJTDOT and transitional Silver Nosed NJT Locomotive.

* I have word that the approved NJTransit Disco U34CH and 1987 Rebuild Version of the Comet 1 (Hi and Low Door) are to be released ...
Tomorrow, 25 March 2020.

So far I have not seen official notification and certainly have not seen any of Gary's wonderful prose regarding the U34CH at this time.

Hello Minerman,

I certainly hope that it will release today despite the licensing difficulty. It is rather unfortunate that the NJDOT logos had to be officially held back. But I'm excited to see this being released, nonetheless. Thank You for your contribution to this projection as well as that Mona Lisa of a route you've been masterfully crafting.