From the look of the smoke exiting the stack, and the steam toward the rear of the locomotive, this engine must have been pulling hard, and moving quite slowly. One can only imagine the sound this must have made as it passed the photographer. Built by Baldwin 1944-45. Retired in 1960. This is another one of those publicity pictures that I bought at the flea market.
Signals Flash Their Messages .
The small inset picture shows a workman with the relay cabinet of a signal opened. This may explain which railroad published this picture, and perhaps the other 32 in the series. The Central Railroad of New Jersey's Blue Comet, began operation February 1929 on the New York City-Atlantic City run. The crowds took to the Comet immediately, but within a year, revenues dropped off and they never came back. But those who did ride the Comet were treated to a ride like none other in the United States.