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Comet and MBTA Car Classes

5:59 PM

6/10/2024

I collected this information because I have not found a comprehensive and easily understandable guide to understanding classes for Comet Cars and MBTA "CTC" car classes. This doesn't include "BTC" (blind control cars) cars, with no cab. I might add BTC cars in the future. @ConrailGeep on Discord, he made all this so much easier. Thanks!

Comet-1s

(MBTA Class CTC-1)

MBTA CTC1s Built by PS in 1978

Built by Pullman Standard

Erie (Erie went to NJT in 1980), MBTA, and Metro North were original buyers

Erie Comets built in 1970-1973

Many still around today

NJT Comets built in 1987

Comet-2s

(MBTA Class CTC1b, Built 1989-1990, only used on North Side, as of 6/10/24, they are undergoing retirement, being replaced by new bilevels from Hyundai Rotem and they are classed as CTC-5s and BTC-4Ds.)

Built by bombardier in 1982-1988

Owned by Metro north, CDOT, NJT, Septa, AMT

NJT started scraping, Metro North and MBTA still operate.

Last Single Level Cars for MBTA

Comet-3s

Built by Bombardier in 1990

Owned by Metro North and NJT

MBTA CTC-2s

Rebuilt from Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs) in 1982

MBTA CTC-3s

CTC-3 were built in 1987 and 1988 by MBB(Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm)

Built only for MBTA

All Pulled from service around 2015-2016 (Replaced by Hyundai Rotem Bilevels)

Only Used on South Side

Revisions and Changes

06/21/2024 6:49 AM: One CTC-1B left in service on MBTA

07/8/2024 1:00 PM: As of June 26th, 2024 the last MBTA CTC-B has been retired. Some of the retired CTC-1Bs have been sent off for scrap but most are sitting in storage

Again, thanks to @ConrailGeep on Discord for his help with all this.

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