No. 2873 was a class L-2c Mohawk 4-8-2 steam locomotive that was built for the New York Central Railroad by the American Locomotive Company's Schenectady, New York Works in June 1929 for Freight Service and passenger services on the New York Central Railroad The New York Central announced after late 1935 on Introducing a new Special Passenger Train to run Cross-Country in Partnership with Rexall Drug Company. To haul the heavier, Consist, a Heavy 4-8-2 Mountain was Chosen. This Locomotive was known for being the only Mohawk of its type to receive streamlining at all. The type of streamlining (known as the Art Deco shovelnose style) however, also could be seen on a different type of NYC steam locomotive like the famed New York Central 4-6-4 Hudson No. 5344. New York Central Mohawk No. 2873 got streamlining as a result of a one-time partnership between the railroad and a drug company known as the Rexall company, while the 5344 got streamlining in an attempt by the railroad to spice up appearances on their usually high-speed passenger services. The Locomotive and Passenger car set shrouded with Sponsorship costed One Million Dollars when put into Action in February 1936. Touring all across America the Train was a phenomenal attempt at Passenger Advertising, however it would be cut Short as the Sponsorship was over at the End of the Year as the Locomotive had it's Shrouding removed in December 1936. The Locomotive was returned to its Original Livery where it remained in Freight Service until Retirement came in May 1953. The Locomotive was eventually Scrapped in early 1954 along with all other L-2c's on the NYC System.
Trivia[]
- #2873 was the only "Mohawk" on the New York Central to ever receive a Special Streamlining Treatment in the 1930’s before World War 2 forced the NYC to destreamlined there New York Central J Hudson Class 4-6-4’s in the 1940’s .