NJT Comet IV Cars

Hi, does anyone know why the Comet IV Cab Cars do not lead trains anymore?
Thanks!

IIRC, I believe it has something to do with the cab signals not being up to date with today's standards.

I think it has more to do with door, trapdoor and steps under engineers seat, and a local agreement with BLET.
the Alstom cab cars do not have that door and trap and have better seats and heat and safety.

DutchRailnut wrote:I think it has more to do with door, trapdoor and steps under engineers seat, and a local agreement with BLET.
the Alstom cab cars do not have that door and trap and have better seats and heat and safety.

Comet IVs have none of those items.

DutchRailnut wrote:I think it has more to do with door, trapdoor and steps under engineers seat, and a local agreement with BLET.
the Alstom cab cars do not have that door and trap and have better seats and heat and safety.

You think wrong.

Isn't there a separate reason why they need to always be directly behind the locomotive?

SecaucusJunction wrote:Isn't there a separate reason why they need to always be directly behind the locomotive?

I suspect it's because they have an end door that they can close that keeps the weather out far better than a little bar.

Thanks for the replies, I guess they will just use them as regular cars.

I thought one reason was FRA structural standards. The older Comet cabs didn't meet newer requirements, hence all cabs are now the Comet V.

there are no steps under the engineer's seat on Comet 4's.

JamesRR wrote:I thought one reason was FRA structural standards. The older Comet cabs didn't meet newer requirements, hence all cabs are now the Comet V.

That is a rumor considering Metro North has no problem running the same equipment on the other side of the Hudson.

I thought it was an Amtrak restriction which prevented them from leading trains or is this not true?

None of those have anything to do with the Comet IV's not leading any longer. The Comet IV's are equipped with EPIC 3102 which includes a very old EPIC computer and other components of the air brake system which are no longer available. This and a few other things prevent them from leading but does not effect them from trailing at this time.

Thanks for the replies. Are there any chances of them leading again if/when they upgrade them?

ConrailRailfan wrote:Thanks for the replies. Are there any chances of them leading again if/when they upgrade them?

Chances are they're getting retired by the backside of the next MLV procurement after the Comet II's get mowed down. Interim fixes are most likely dependent on how much-delayed the MLV procurement is because of agency finances/dysfunction.