In NJ/NYC how old were the commuter cars? In Cleveland they dated from the the 1950s but I walked through on in a old railroad yard in 1990 and I knew that the car was still being used in the 1970s from the Eastern Airline ads. I guess 1915-1920something?
This should help you littlered....
http://www.thebluecomet.com/elstillwellsptjervis73.jpg
http://www.rgvrrm.org/about/railroad/erie2328/index.htm