Bar cars returning to Metro-North's New Haven line

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Railroad cars equipped with bars for serving alcohol are returning to commuter trains running between New York City and Connecticut, restoring a tradition dating back 50 years to the delight of many commuters.

Democratic Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Tuesday the state will buy another 60 cars for Metro-North's New Haven Line. He says 10 of them will be converted into bar cars under current plans. A prototype bar car is expected to go online by late 2018.

Bar cars were retired in 2014 because they couldn't be coupled to a new fleet of train cars. The cars had faux-wood paneling and red leather lounges that some riders say evoked a 1960s "Mad Men" vibe of martini gatherings.

Malloy says the New Haven Line remains the country's busiest commuter rail line. The service carried more than 40 million passengers last year.