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The Rexall 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.)

1936 Rexall Train NYC Locomotive 2873  
 

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.

NYC L-2c Mohawk 2842  
  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. 1936 Rexall Train NYC Locomotive 2873  
  The leased New York Central locomotive in the desert at Barstow, CA. 1936 Rexall Streamlined Train  
  The locomotive initially had a plain nose with just the headlight and New York Central crest, as seen here. 1936 Rexall Streamlined Train  
 

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

 
 

Near the 3rd & Townsend station, San Francisco.

Image: John Signor collection, via David Perata

 
    1936 Rexall Train NYC Locomotive 2873  
  The train was painted royal blue and white with black roofs. Car names and "Pullman" lettering were in white. 1936 Rexall Train  
  Lettering in the side of the loco was in blue. Rexall didn't add orange to their logo palette until years later. 1936 Rexall Train NYC Locomotive 2873  
  Not sure what color the NYC emblem background was. E-Mail if you know. 1936 Rexall Train NYC Locomotive 2873  
 

A rare view of the tender's end.

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