That custom 2 rail model of Rexall (NYC 2873) was done by the late Tom Harley for the late Mike Hill, both noted O Scalers. Mike told me that Harley was able to take a USH NYC L-2 Mohawk chassis and fit a Lionel Commodore Vanderbilt shell/boiler. Mike also told me that he researched the exact colors by traveling to several locations in IL (where he lived) in order to record the exact colors of the Rexall drug sign. He told me that the blue was "easy" but he thought a little different than the Rexall blue of the signs, but the final white or "off white" was actually a very light cream color.
When MTH expressed an interest in modeling the Rexall locomotive but as a Hudson, I sent them the photos of Mike's engine for the color match. I am convinced that, as a result of Hill's investigation, the colors of the MTH are "as close as we will ever get". Think about it...why would Rexall select a blue and an off-white that was different than their symbol/trademark???
I saw that Mike's engine was sold in a recent auction for what I regard as a very high price...over $4,000.
