the New York, New Haven and Hartford's 'Comet'

Mark Karvon art print

The Comet was a diesel-electric three-car streamliner train built in 1935 for the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Company. It was double-ended so could operate in both directions without need to be turned at destinations, needed because of 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, Boston and Pawtucket/Central Falls, RI 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 WW2, when increased traffic volume overwhelmed the capacity of the Comet, and it was placed on local commuter services around the Boston area. The three-car train was withdrawn from service in 1951 and scrapped.

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.

More info and pics here