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From: "Gary R DOT Kazin" gkazin AT yahoo DOT com
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 14:03:34 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Hacks and Arrow II, was: Non-member submission from "Roger Kirkpatrick"
"1263etal.jpg" - image/jpeg, 135272 bytes, 792x594 (24bit)

--- paultup@optonline.net wrote:
> Yeah, did NJT official "retire" these hacks? One of them is used by NS
> on the Carlstadt-based drill...

I don't know about the ones listed here, but NJTR 902 was sold to Southard
Salvage some years ago. See my previous post for today's photos; it's for
sale if you have $5000 (negotiable) and can take it. Cash-and-carry!

> Scrapping Arrow II's? I thought they were rebuilding them? (or are these
> wreck damaged?) I can't understand why they'd scrap cars that are 15
> years younger than the Comet I's, but auction the earlier cars?

All 70 Arrow II electric MU cars were retired in 1998 IIRC. I think you
are confusing them with the 230 Arrow III cars currently in service, which
date from 1976-1977. The Comet I's will be retired once all Comet V cars
are built and all Comet II's are rehabbed. Arrow III's will be getting a
second overhaul once current car programs are done. They WILL get
automatic change-on-the-fly voltage change capability so they would be
able to run on Midtown Direct service, probably shortening trip times.
MU's accelerate faster than ALP's - look at the weekend schedules and see
how Gladstone trains make the same time between Newark and Summit despite
three more stops!

There were a reasons for scrapping the Arrow I's:

They had already been replaced by Arrow IV/ALP 44 sets (ALPs 4415 and up).
In 1993, NJT had requested bids for a mid-life rehabilitation of the
Arrow II's. The bids were high; the Comet III/ALP 44 sets (4400-4414) had
cost much less on a per-car basis NEW. The money for rebuilding 70 Arrow
I cars was enough to get 99 Comet III cars AND 17 ALP engines. NJT
couldn't go back again for money to rehab them!

The systems in these cars were shot (from what I've been told). The
heating/ventilating/air conditioning didn't work well at any season and
leaked - rain or snow melt frequently dripped from the ventilator ports.
The electrical systems were obsolete, with many parts unobtainable. The
carbodies have asbestos insulation, so there was an extra abatement cost,
was probably the reason the bids were so high. Arrow III cars don't have
the asbestos AFAIK.

There were 70 Arrow II cars. After retirement, they sat around on NJT
(Meadowlands, Waldwick, Boonton, Port Morris) waiting for someone to buy
them intact. One proposal was to rehab and lease them to Amtrak for
enhancing Keystone service, but the person proposing to do it had no
contract with SEPTA, Pennsylvania, or AMTRAK - so he never had any money
to buy the cars. A few years ago I saw half a carbody on a flatbed going
up Green Pond Rd and followed it to Southard. The cars are slowly being
stripped of anything useful, but the photos show quite a lot to go.

I stopped at Southard's office and asked before entering the property.
One worker opened 902 for the inside shot. I will probably return another
day to look at the Arrows closer.

====
Gary R. Kazin
DL&W Milepost R35.7
Rockaway, New Jersey

http://www.geocities.com/gkazin/index.html

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