I don’t recognize the streamlined engine in the Toyota Avalon commercial. Is it a one off creation or what?
If you freeze the video around the 3 second mark, you can see that “locomotive” has two rows of windows running down the side.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaIs3u_h02Y
Judging by this photograph, I would say the front end is based on a Milwaukee Road steam locomotive.
http://www.ironhorse129.com/Projects/Engines/Hiawatha/Graphics/Hudson6.jpg
It look to me like somebody did a large size mock up of an old Marx wind up 027 guage toy!
I looks to me like an artist’s version of an Art Deco locomotive. There did not appear to be any way for an engineer to see forward with out leaning out the side of the engine.
I think you nailed it Dale, maybe spruced up a bit but the basic elements seem to be there.
Its a Toyota commercial, maybe they are quietly suggesting taking the train would be safer?
If It steams that much in the station, I’d hate to see what happens when the throttle lever sticks!
Carl, perhaps the ad agency will run into sticking problems, just as Toyota has. Ricki says she does not us to rent any Toyota when we are traveling this spring.
Would the windows be so that the pedalers inside can watch the scenery as they huff and puff to move the train and provide steam heat for the train?
The windows are to let light in for solar panels. It’s actually a steam-electric locomotive.
Sticking throttle…What a mess. I really don’t know what to think about all the mess / confusion.
Would not prevent me from driving one.
Actually have one of Toyota’s products, but we’ve had it for some time now, and it’s not involved. {Avatar}.
The styling is that of Otto Kuhler who was employed by Alco to style the streamlining of several of their locomotives, including the Milwaukee Road Hudsons. Kuhler’s work included the DL 103B to DL 109 passenger cab units, which had the distinctive small rectangular windows (although only one row compared to two on the Toyota mock up).
Someone in Toyota (or the ad agency) did some research to obtain a consistent image in the mock up. Exactly what was so good about 1940 isn’t immediately clear, although they didn’t recall cars then…
M636C