The Rexall Train

Dougvv · **Joined:** Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:52 pm **Posts:** 914

Hi,I was eating at the local Rexall lunch counter recently and saw three photos of something called "The Rexall Train".One photo of the steam locomotive head on showed a steamlined locomotive with New York Central underneath "The Rexall Train". In the background I could bairly see what was probably a lower track with PRR type steel I-beam catenary supports. There was no catenary on the track that the locomotive was on.Another photo showed the locomotive from the side. There was a Rexall Truck in front of the drivers and cab so I could not see the wheel arraingement. There was no catenary visable anywhere.The last photo showed what I think is called a Harriman observation car. Heavy weight, round roof with an open observation platform. As I recall, this had catenary poles in the background.Anyone know anything about the train or the photos?Thanks.DOug

Howard P. · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:14 pm

It was a touring promotion for Rexall, went all around the US on various roads during 1936. Power was a New York Central 4-8-2, wearing a streamlined shroud copied from the 1934 "Commodore Vanderbilt" loco. The cars (12, I think) look like they were typical heavyweight cars of the era, with a streamlined roofline added.The NYC Mohawk was converted to burn oil, as it toured in parts of the US where coal was unavailable.

wesp · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:37 pm

From: http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/CPR_Toronto/rexall.htmlWesley

smokebox · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:32 pm

Did this locomotive loose its streamlining after the Rexall tour or did it keep it for a bit?Smokebox

Pat Fahey · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 1:07 pm

I believe that the engine did lose,it steamlineing after it's tour,,I will have too look it up in one of my NYC books... Pat

RGraner · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:09 pm

You can get some more information about the train and the picture if you stop by the Southeastern Railway Museum. We are just off Bufford Higway in Duluth 1/4 mile north of Pleasent Hill Rd.Jim O'Hara was the photographer and he is usually at the museum on Thursdays and Fridays as a docent. He would be happy to give you the detailsRon Graner

Fitz · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 7:46 pm **Posts:** 188

The Mohawk was L-2c 2873, and yes, lost her "streamlining" right after the tour. She had to go back to work hauling freight for the NY Central.