|
Streamlined Train Game By the autumn of 1936 the Rexall Train had become so popular it inspired its own board game. Available at Rexall stores nationwide, the game retailed for $1.00.
|
|
||
| The box and board measured 20"x15". The box was very thin at less than an inch. It came with a spinner and four metal game pieces shaped like the Rexall Train locomotive (with a 4-6-6 wheel arrangement rather than 4-8-2). In Nevada, a closed tunnel is mentioned. A tunnel closure happened in real life, causing a detour and taking the train through Nevada, a state it would not have otherwise transited. |  |
||
|
The
rules of play.
|
 |
||
| Cardboard spinner and painted metal game pieces shaped like the locomotive. |  |
||
|
The inside of the box lid carried this inscription. Technically, the train may have missed Nevada. And 250 sounds a little high for the number of display cities. AND 2.5 million visitors is likely inflated by a couple hundred thousand. But -- round numbers and hyperbole sell merchandise.
|
 |
||
| A newspaper coupon bundled the game with a tube of of Briten Tooth Paste for just 45 cents. The ad ran nationally the week of September 30. |  |
||
|
Enjoyable. Instructive. Educational. Thrilling. Yet fascinating. The game knew no bounds.
Images: Author's collection. |
 |
||
|
The Rexall game is not to be confused with the competing Streamline Train Game from Milton-Bradley, also from 1936.
Image courtesy of 'eskostuff eBay Store'. |
 |
||
