@Hudson5432 posted: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.
Do you have any more information on the build?…nice to know it was done with a Lionel CV boiler shell, ….In an off-line discussion, we’ve been wondering if stretching the shell was necessary or not, …..do you know if the shell they used was indeed stretched, or was it used as is,…..I think I can nail the colors to a cross, it’s getting it dimensionally appropriate as a first step ….I’ve done a couple rough, and I do mean rough mock ups and I’m digging what I’m seeing, but dimension wise, the Mohawks are a bit longer than a J1e, which obviously we all know is what was under the dress of the CV, ……my micrometer eye ( which sucks BTW) says the roof line should sit back about 24” more than a Hudson would ….but don’t quote me on that just yet……my general rule of thumb in O scale is if I’m within 18-20” …I call it good and move on,….so it’s close ….close enough to be a PITA anyways ……😁
Pat
