| The Commodore Vanderbilt was the first American streamlined steam locomotive debuting in December 27, 1934, with a publicity tour to the major NYC cities. The 1929 Alco-Schenectady built 4-6-4 Hudson was originally NYC #5344 but selected for the Art Deco restyling. As pictured here in Albany, NY, on the NYC publicity tour, the new Hudson had what now is referred to as the "upside down bathtub"design by Carl Kantola. Solid disk driving wheels would be added later to complete the new "modern Art Deco" design. Eventually the "bathtub" was replaced in 1938 with the Dreyfus-designed streamline shroud. To capture the public's interest in the new design, even Lionel and Marx toy trains rushed to produce similar models for sales in the 1930's and 1940's. An unknown photographer took this beautiful & historic photo. |