New member -- Looking to Model NJT from the UK

Modeling NJ transit is a very tricky thing. While an HO scale model exists of almost everything NJ Transit ever operated, most of it is VERY difficult to find (even here in New Jersey!), and when you do find it, its often almost unreasonably expensive.

If I had to recommend an easy time period and place, I'd say go for the Raritan Valley Line in the early to mid 1980s. This is where the then new Comet IIs (Walthers Horizon Commuter cars), and the F40PH-2s were initially put in service. A short portion of this route is also part of the Conrail Lehigh Line, which was a major freight line across the northern part of the state, so it gives you some variety to work with as well.

Both models are fairly easy to find in NJ Transit, although the coaches command high prices. The Walthers Trainline F40PH is preferable to the Bachmann model, but both are alright. If you do go bachmann, try to get the new one WITHOUT the working strobes.


Another possibility for modeling might be the diesel powered portions of the Hoboken Division in the mid 80s when the U34CHs and leased ex C&NW F7As were used with Comet IIs, but you'd need to custom paint the F7s.

The biggest problem with modeling NJ Transit is that most of the major locomotives are not available. IHP produced kits of the "Jersey Arrow" series of MU cars for a time, as well as Comet III coaches of varying configurations, and GP40FH-2. Apart from the GP40FH-2, all of these other kits are frustratingly, long gone. There may be some GP40FH-2s left if you act now and contact IHP.

Island Model Works produces kits most of the Comet Series of commuter cars, and used to make the PL42AC and ALP46 body shells, the latter of which could be put on a Class 101 frame. (why he stopped making those, I don't know). Again, frustratingly, not all of these are up to the quality standards that most people find acceptable, but they would be your only option for the Comet I, Comet IV, Comet V, and Comet VI Multilevel. They also offer an Arrow III, and eventually, an Arrow II kit.


Other NJ transit models that have been produced are the E60CH (American GK), GP40-2 (work train), U34CH and ALP44 (Atlas), and the super rare super expensiver OMI brass GP40PH-2. An NJT gondola set is available, as is a caboose that isn't perfect but good enough.


Nobody makes the CNJ GP40Ps (apart from brass), or the GP7s that they used briefly, and they'd need to be kitbashed. Comet IB (rebuilt from Jersey Arrow Is) cars also do not yet exist in kit form, though you might try to kitbash some from the IHP kit (though honestly, those kits are so rare that it might not be worth it). Decals exist for the SW1500s that NJT owned, but thats it. No models currently exist of the new ALP45DPs or those odd-ball switchers rebuilt from the frames and trucks of old GP40FH-2s.


Modeling the Current Day NJT isn't impossible, but you'll need a budget and patience.

Gents, many thanks for the speedy replies and great information. I will try and get my head round it all.
This started after spending a week in New York a couple of weeks back and it has kick-started the model making again. As I have almost retired just working part time probably until winter sets in.
I have coming from the U.S, x 1 Bachmann NJ transit F40Ph and an Island Model Works Multi- level cab car, with the intention of starting with a short commuter train.
Initially I intend to start with diesel only, would like to use overhead wires but it is probably hard to get the right ones here.
I went for a coach kit as it was cheaper than the Walthers cars Imsaw on tha well known auction site, plus the enjoyment of building it. Decals for the cab car look easy enough to get hold of anyway, plus Joe is putting in a set of his in with the kit.
Line side building kits are available here usually DPM, etc.
I will have a good read through all the links you have sent and decide which line to model, Imassume multi-level cars are used on most?
Many thanks again, best wishes, John

You'd be in good shape if you could acquire a PL42AC. I don't think the F40s have ever been paired with the Multilevels, and if they had, it was a rare occasion. The Multilevel cars are reportedly very heavy, and the "smaller" NJ Transit locomotives can't seem to handle large trains of them. This is one of the reasons the ALP44s are no longer in service.




You're right about that. You can't even get the Catenary here. Model memories does produce the PRR style catenary used on the Northeast Corridor and most of the North Jersey Coast Line (otherwise known as the New York & Long Branch), but you're on your own for the Delaware Lackawanna & Western Catenary found on the Hoboken division lines. In both cases you're probably better off building it from scratch.

I could definitely help you there, I have many of the diagrams you would need to do so, and I have experience scratch building the catenary.

I would not recommend the Electrified lines to be honest, unless that is REALLY what you want to do. Its very hard to find the Jersey Arrow cars, and now that Joe doesn't make the ALP46s, its hard to find them to. Joe does plan to offer an Arrow II, but his current Arrow III does need work, particularly on the "face" of the car, before it looks right. The Arrow IIIs are the cars currently in service.

The ALP44s were in service from the early 90s until fairly recently. The E60s were acquired sometime in the early 80s from Amtrak, and ran until the early 90s when the ALP44s replaced them. The ALP44s could be found under any NJ Transit wires, but the E60s stayed on the Newark Division.




The Walthers Comet II cars originally MSRPed for $25. Never pay more than $50 for one. For some reason, some Ebay sellers think they can sell these cars at such outrageous prices.

Joe is pretty awesome when it comes to that sort of thing. His decals cover everything you'll need.




I recommend NOT listening to Wikipedia to much, since the facts are often a little off. Its way to vulnerable to nonsense.


While it is fair to say the Multilevels are used on most lines, there are still plenty of single level trains. The Atlantic City Line is all Single Level trains. The ACES train was the only multilevel train on that line, but it was discontinued a few years ago.

Just about every single level train these days is trailed (or lead) by a Comet V cab car. The coaches in between the locomotive and the cab car tend to be a mix of Comet IIM, Comet IV, and Comet V coaches. For some reason, the Comet IIIs have been placed in storage.