The first 9 Comet II cars to be rebuilt left NJ TRANSIT in April of 1999. The cars were rebuilt by the AAI Corporation in Maryland until the summer of 2002. On July 26, 2002, AAI's parent company sold the contract to Alstom in Hornell, New York, who will complete the rebuilds.

The overhaul of the cars using modern technology will improve the safety, reliability, comfort, and overall maintainability. The overhaul also ensures the compatibility with the newer Comet III and IV cars.

Comet IIB Club Trailer no. 5759 was rebuilt by Alstom and the NJ Transit mechanical department (with technical assistance from LTK Engineering Services and Amtrak) in December 2003 as Comet II Club Trailer no. 5459. The car entered revenue service on January 16, 2004 on the North Jersey Coast Line between Long Branch and Penn Station New York. The Jersey Shore Commuters Club Inc. (established 1933) leases a private space, separated by a bulkhead and door from the regular passenger area, that occupies approximately half the car. The Club interior space is equipped with 24 Amtrak Metroliner reclining seats (12 double-recliners in a 2-2 configuration), plus two tables that seat eight and two regular flipover seats. The car is always coupled to the locomotive, with the Club end facing the locomotive.

12/12/01 UPDATE

NEWARK, NJ, December 12, 2001 -- In a continued effort to modernize the NJ TRANSIT rail fleet, the Corporation's Board of Directors today approved a contract with AAI Corporation of Hunt Valley, MD to overhaul 44 Comet IIB rail cars, provide spare parts and perform additional work to meet Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements at a cost not to exceed $37.7 million.

Today’s Board action complements NJ TRANSIT's bus and rail fleet expansion program that will update equipment and improve travel throughout the Corporation’s commuter system.

"Quality public transportation means a comfortable ride," said NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman and State Transportation Commissioner James Weinstein. "And a more comfortable ride means a more satisfied customer -- a customer who will continue to ride NJ TRANSIT trains, buses and light rail vehicles."

"These cars will be equipped with contemporary amenities that will ensure smoother operation," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Jeffrey A. Warsh. "It also ensures these rail cars will spend more time in service instead of the maintenance yard. With the demands placed on our rail service, more rail cars in service means more seats each day for our 110,500 train riders."

AAI -- which is currently overhauling 116 NJ TRANSIT Comet II rail coaches -- will replace major components and subsystems on the Comet IIB cars, including doors, seats, windows, floors and subfloors, communications systems and destination signs. In addition, heating and air conditioning systems will be modernized and disc brakes will be added to the current brake system to extend the life of rail car wheels.

Consistent with FRA requirements, AAI will also install additional components on both the Comet II and the Comet IIB coaches. These components include additional lighting for stairways used to exit the rail cars onto low-level platforms and emergency door releases in the vestibules.

Overhaul of the Comet II cars is expected to be completed in April 2003, at which time overhaul of the Comet IIB coaches will commence. The last overhauled Comet IIB car is expected to return to service in the winter of 2003/2004.

NJ TRANSIT's rail fleet modernization and expansion program also includes the purchase of 200 single-level rail cars, 24 high-horsepower electric locomotives, 33 high-horsepower diesel locomotives and the future purchase of up to 150 bi-level coach cars.

9/8/01 UPDATE

NJ TRANSIT is so far very pleased with the Comet II Rebuilds, and have been accepting rebuilds continuously. Trainsets are now appearing with a solid string of Comet II Rebuilds with a Comet IV Cab Car. New photos will be added here soon.

2/10/01 UPDATE

I recieved the following email from an Amtrak employee:

I just thought I'd pass this newsflash on to you. As I was bringing my
train from Philly into the yard at South Kearny, I took a look over into
the yard at the MMC (as I always do) and I spotted, over by the shops,
what I thought was a Comet IV car.......but on closer look, I saw there
were no center doors......so I can only assume that the first of the
rebuilt Comet II's have returned from it's rebuilding.

Assuming it was the 5300, then it was former car 5610 (it was too far
away to see the number clearly). The striping is done in the Comet IV
style with the wider black band through the windows. It looked like it
had a destination sign similar to the Comet IV's as well. The car was
also equipped with the end gates found on the Comet IV's and recent cars
purchased by Metro-North and SEPTA.