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The Locomotive: New York Central #2873 NYC 2873, an L-2c 4-8-2 "Mohawk" was streamlined to mimic NYC 5344 -- the Commodore Vanderbilt -- which only a few months earlier was America's first streamlined steam locomotive. The engine was converted to burn oil for the national tour of the Rexall Train. (Coal was scarce out west.) |
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Under that ton of streamlining metal was a locomotive much like this one -- a workaday New York Central L-2c Mohawk. The Rexall tour ended in November and by Christmas the locomotive had lost its streamline cowling -- and was back to work lugging freight. Image: H.C. Settlemoir, courtesy Bruce Hensley's Railroads of Madison County - Indiana. |
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| The locomotive was christened at Boston's North Station by Miss Edith Minard, one of the 14 original employees of United Drug Co. President Louis K. Liggett is at far right. |  |
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| The locomotive initially had a plain nose with just the headlight and New York Central crest, as seen here. |  |
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That changed in San Francisco (or slightly before) when the words "The Rexall Train" were stenciled on the nose. Seen here at San Francisco. Image: John Signor collection, via David Perata |
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Near the 3rd & Townsend station, San Francisco. Image: John Signor collection, via David Perata |
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| The train was painted royal blue and white with black roofs. Car names and "Pullman" lettering were in white. |  |
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| Lettering in the side of the loco was in blue. Rexall didn't add orange to their logo palette until years later. |  |
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| Not sure what color the NYC emblem background was. E-Mail if you know. |  |
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A rare view of the tender's end. |
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