Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

What are your favorite locomotives?

8339 views
77 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Sheboygan, WI
  • 167 posts
What are your favorite locomotives?
Posted by Michael6792 on Thursday, February 27, 2014 7:27 PM

Everyone has favorites. Some like F-7's, others like geeps, and theres always the love of steam. What are your favorites?

I've always liked SW1500's. Don't really know why, just like the look of them. Good thing too, since I have a small layout even a GP35 would look kind of big on it. Lately I've also started taking a liking to 44 ton, & hustlers. Theres plenty of other nice locomotves out there but there will be an abundace of these on my layout. 

Michael

Never attempt anything you don't want to explain to the EMT

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Thursday, February 27, 2014 7:31 PM

D&RGW and SP SD45's and tunnel motors.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 291 posts
Posted by friend611 on Thursday, February 27, 2014 7:46 PM
N&W class J 4-8-4's and Y6b 2-8-8-2's.
lois
  • Member since
    February 2014
  • 26 posts
Posted by fallNflag on Thursday, February 27, 2014 8:03 PM

NW2 and E6 for diesels and anything articulated in steam. I like my H4 even though C&O didn't, but EM-1s are starting to take over my roundhouse. I also notice that 44 tons are starting to grow on me..guess I like them all. But if I could only own one engine, it would be a NW2.

Modeling B&O in the early 50's.

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Thursday, February 27, 2014 8:14 PM

F3's, F7's, F9's, FP7/9's, GP7/9's, GP40's.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
  • 8,639 posts
Posted by Texas Zepher on Thursday, February 27, 2014 8:25 PM

Hard to choose but...

The Missouri Pacific RS-3s that were re-motored with EMD.  They had tall exhaust stacks.  They called them GP-12s or RS-3ms.

The Santa Fe 3460 class 4-6-4s.

NP/GN/SP&S Z6 class Challengers.

And of course the ALco PA.

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Thursday, February 27, 2014 8:28 PM

I like GP7/9s,GP18, GP15,GP38/38-2 GP40/40-2,MP15DC, and SW1500s.

Other then the SD7/9,E8s I never cared much for 6 axle locomotives..

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Shalimar. Florida
  • 2,622 posts
Posted by Packer on Thursday, February 27, 2014 8:32 PM

EMD F45

ALCO C636

NP/GN/SP&S Z6 class Challengers

EMD GP7/9

EMD SD40-2

Vincent

Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....

2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: Hillsboro, Oregon
  • 934 posts
Posted by Eric97123 on Thursday, February 27, 2014 10:15 PM
I love me some SD70ace
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Thursday, February 27, 2014 10:27 PM

Any steam up to x-8-x and early diesels.  The roads I model had mostly RS and GP units, so that's what I have.  Used to drool over the SF warbonnets and NYC F units in the Lionel catalog, never could afford one.  If I did Amtrak it would have an FP40.

Have fun,

Richard

  • Member since
    January 2012
  • From: Cape Cod, MA
  • 79 posts
Posted by kelleywpns on Thursday, February 27, 2014 10:29 PM

RS-3s ... especially on New England roads.

Mike

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Thursday, February 27, 2014 10:30 PM

NYC Hudson

EMD SW1

Alco HH600

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, February 27, 2014 11:12 PM

My favourite loco is the one in my avatar even though it is totally fake. It came out of my own head and I built it myself using an N 4-4-0 chassis.

As far as more mainstream locomotives, I have a penchant for S and SW series switchers and F/FP 7's and 9's, all in Canadian Pacific livery.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Stagecoach Nevada
  • 496 posts
Posted by crhostler61 on Friday, February 28, 2014 12:15 AM

I can respond to this thread in 2 ways...as a former professional railroader and as a modeler. My likes and dislikes in these two ways are on opposite ends of the spectrum. As a modeler...I like many types of locomotives. As a former locomotive electrician and hostler for Conrail...I like few. 

As a modeler, I would have to say that the Alco C630's sporting the Reading yellow and green and high adhesion trucks would stand out as my all time favorite. E44's and GG1's after that.

I've run steam at a museum and hostled every type of loco Conrail owned at the time I was there. I only ever appreciate steam from great distances anymore. And my favorite all round diesel to run and ride is the SD40-2 with flexicoil trucks as Conrail had them equipped. 

Mark H

Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history. 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Austin, Texas
  • 875 posts
Posted by jasperofzeal on Friday, February 28, 2014 12:46 AM

These are my favorites, in no particular order: GP40X, GP60M/B/regular cab, Dash 8-40BW/CW, Dash 9/AC4400, SD70/75/ACE, MP15's, SW1500's.

I have so many of the GP60M/B's that I could probably model a good chunk of Santa Fe's Super Fleet.

TONY

"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)

  • Member since
    September 2012
  • From: Fraser Valley, BC
  • 538 posts
Posted by Rastafarr on Friday, February 28, 2014 7:41 AM

My first love was a Burlington Northern SW1500. These days I'm a backwoods nut: Shays, Climaxes, Mudhens, and the like.

Stu

Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Miles City, Montana
  • 2,289 posts
Posted by FRRYKid on Friday, February 28, 2014 1:07 PM

In my case, it would hard for me to argue against GP20s, considering I have 8 Tythearns in various stages of construction. (For reference a Tythearn is, as you might guess, a Tyco/Athearn kitbash. The shells are modified Tyco GP20 shells that use the Tyco metal handrails from the accessory kit. The drives are GP35 Athearn drives with modified frames to fit the Tyco shells. They also use modified Athearn stanchions. Most of the non-assembled engines just need to have the frames meet my Dremel tool.)

Of course, my first love would have to be the venerable F7, even though I have never seen one of them in person. That was the locomotive in my first train set and while I no longer have that engine, I do have two Athearn units (an A and a B not for the same road) that work very well.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
  • Member since
    February 2013
  • From: Saginaw, MI
  • 205 posts
Posted by Bob Schuknecht on Friday, February 28, 2014 2:57 PM

My favorite locomotive has always been the ALCO C430. I have 3 of the Bowser 430s on my Detroit Southern layout.

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Friday, February 28, 2014 3:06 PM

Classic Diesels -  Basic GP7/9's, SD7/9's, and SW1 switchers

Modern Diesels - SD45, SD40-2, & SD70ACe

Steam - 4-6-0 & 2-8-0 engines

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: lavale, md
  • 4,678 posts
Posted by gregc on Friday, February 28, 2014 3:26 PM

i'm fond of camelbacks -- Philadelphia and Reading I-5

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Franconia, NH
  • 3,130 posts
Posted by dstarr on Friday, February 28, 2014 3:43 PM

Mantua Pacific kitbashed into a Boston & Maine class P4. 

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • 805 posts
Posted by narrow gauge nuclear on Friday, February 28, 2014 3:51 PM

If you are talking kerosene burners  RS-1, but my ultimate favorite is the coal burners with the D&GRW K-27 (mudhen) and K-28 (sports model) mikes.  Love all outside frames with the whirling counterweights coupled with the monkey motion....

Richard

If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: Pittsburgh Pa
  • 397 posts
Posted by dominic c on Friday, February 28, 2014 4:02 PM

Bershires! Just the name sounds awesome. Big UP Steam. Big Boys, Challengers, and FEF"s

Joe C

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Southern Quebec, Canada
  • 868 posts
Posted by Guy Papillon on Friday, February 28, 2014 4:12 PM

EMD GP7/9, Alco Ss, 

Guy

Modeling CNR in the 50's

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 122 posts
Posted by b60bp on Friday, February 28, 2014 4:20 PM

FT, E7, GP7/9, Baldwin VO 1000 early, Reading Company P7 Atlantic.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Currently in Chicago area
  • 830 posts
Posted by up831 on Friday, February 28, 2014 4:33 PM

I hope this is the right area to post. 

For diesels, GP-30s and tunnel motors are my hands down favorites.  Although I also like GP-7/9s, DD-35s.

For steam, most UP SP locomotives, Pennsy I-1s, C&S 2-6-0s, 2-8-0s.

Less is more,...more or less!

Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 1,855 posts
Posted by angelob6660 on Friday, February 28, 2014 4:57 PM

My favorite trains would be in steam era are the NYC Hudson J3a, Mikado                        

The early diesel era is the F3-7,E7-9

Modern diesel era are the GP38-2, SD40-2, C44-9CW, ES44AC.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: morganton north carolina
  • 515 posts
Posted by j610 on Friday, February 28, 2014 5:03 PM

N&W Js As and Ys

J610
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Boise, ID
  • 44 posts
Posted by BPoi on Friday, February 28, 2014 6:28 PM

narrow gauge nuclear
but my ultimate favorite is the coal burners with the D&GRW K-27 (mudhen) and K-28 (sports model) mikes. Love all outside frames with the whirling counterweights coupled with the monkey motion....

 

I thought the whirling counterweights meant they were "inside frame"?

 

But I agree 100%.  When I rode the Durango & Silverton in 2012, I lucked into 478, a K-28.  I'm super happy to see 463 is back in action, though I'll be even happier when I manage to see the 315 in real life instead of youtube.  When I rode the Cumbres & Toltec in 2013, it was really cool too (the scenery was much greater than I expected, though I preferred the D&S), but looking at my photos of K-36 487 from that trip, it looks like a mid-sized standard gauge mikado, albeit with the inside frame.  It just looked so big compared to the narrow track and old-fashioned rolling stock.  The smaller mikados and consolidations are where it's at, for me.

 

Bruce

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Victor Harbor, South Australia
  • 362 posts
Posted by alexstan on Friday, February 28, 2014 6:35 PM
Most favourites- Steam-Anything articulated+ Mikados and Berkshires. Diesel, F40PH's, FP45's, SD40-2's.

Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!