Are trains getting uglier?

[West Coast S]

EMD hasn't had a clean design since the GP-20, we won't mention GE . Anything widecab is just plain ugly, akin to putting a dress on your brother and calling him your sister! Makes me glad I abandoned rail photography when the SD40-2 was a dime a dozen.

[Anonymous]

If European designers can make very elegantly styled electric and diesel freight locos, what's stopping the US manufacturers doing the same?
Perhaps they should let the Bombardier designers loose in their design shops for a while!
Looking ugly as sin does not mean you are tough!

[Bikerdad]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bilby2k

If European designers can make very elegantly styled electric and diesel freight locos, what's stopping the US manufacturers doing the same?
Perhaps they should let the Bombardier designers loose in their design shops for a while!
Looking ugly as sin does not mean you are tough!

Elegantly styled? Most of them are about as elegantly styled as a toaster. At least modern NA freight diesels have brutal functionality on their side, lending character. Minimalist design wherein form follows function, as opposed to design where form hides function. The huge difference in styling between European and NA diesels is due to one key factor: maintenance costs. Euro maintenance budgets are MUCH higher per loco than ours. (The joys of subsidies and running railways in part as a jobs program.) They can afford to spend the extra hour per maintenance session futzing with the panels and all that.

A modern safety cab diesel bears a visceral resemblance to a football player, broad shoulders, focused on its goal, massive power held in check. A European loco? Looks like a suppository. [:p]

[Anonymous]

Yes!!!

[nfmisso]

Locomotives have looked just plain ugly ever since the infernal combustion diesel electrics came along. Long live external combustion !!!

[Anonymous]

For the most part, they've gotten UGLY. But there are a few glorious looking exceptions like the SD-70M, all the GE Dash widecab units, the SD45T-2, and SD40-2.

With in the total spectrum of diesel history.... yes much uglier.

[philnrunt]

No

[AntonioFP45]

Well guys, this goes back to "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

Europeon diesel locomotives? Hmmmmmm......


Except for the British "semi-streamlined" passenger boxcab locomotives, I don't find Europeon locomotives attractive. Most of them, to me, look "hideous". [B)]

I've seen many pictures of modern and past Europeon units. A lot of the modern ones with the "streamlined styling" remind me of the 1960s Volkswagon bus! [:p]

And while we're talking Europeon trains, can someone tell me why so many of them have those HORRID TRAIN WHISTLES?!!!!!!!! [tdn]

No melodic tunes like what you get from our American made, K5 series or P series horns. These Europeon things just "SCREEEEEAAM" [:0][:0][:0][:0]like "Tea Kettles, only worse! Even our old "honkers" that were used on many E and F units back in the 1940s sounded more melodic![:-^]

Give me American or Canadian made EMD, GE, or MLW units anyday!
They LOOK [:D] and SOUND [{(-_-)}] better!

[Roadtrp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

I guess I'm in the minority here.

I think that these modern six axle giants are great looking engines!

The SD90, SD80, AC6000, SD75M...............ugly?

The functional "boxiness" adds to the image of tough, rugged, high horsepower machines that will haul super heavy freights at 70m.p.h, if need be. Similar principal to the "boxy" lines of 1960s muscle cars.

Funny thing. I remember that quite a few (yes, me too) didn't like the Amtrak Genesis units when they first hit the rails as they looked "wimpy" with the cab resembling that of an airliner. They grew on me, but I still miss those F40s!

Yes, the old PAs, E units, and F units were sleek, but don't short change the modern units either. Even the new SD70ace, with that weird looking nose, is not so bad compared to the EMD Spartan Cab (standard) which has been around since at least the 1960s. I grew up seeing Spartans everywhere, rather boring at times!

The arrival of the EMD and GE safety cabs in the 80s were indeed a very refreshing sight for my eyes. Started with those Santa Fe Super Fleet GP60Ms. Modelers and Railfans were excited. I still remember model railroaders at my LHS wondering out loud when Athearn or Atlas was going to hurry up and produce HO and N scale safety cabs. Seems like yesterday!

Good Goobly! Now, we're calling these things ugly? [banghead]

Go figure!!!!!!!!!][;)][(-D]

Peace and High Greens![%-)

[#ditto] [#ditto] [#ditto]

I love the look of the big new diesels. They look macho as heck just standing still. I will probably get kicked off this forum, but I've never been a fan of steamers. When they are in operation they always look to me like they are about 30 seconds away from blowing up and scattering all those moving parts all over the place.

[:p]

[Bikerdad]

QUOTE: Roadtrp - When they are in operation they always look to me like they are about 30 seconds away from blowing up and scattering all those moving parts all over the place.

Yeah, that's part of the fascination. Ever hear the expression, "like watching a train wreck, you just can take your eyes off it?" [}:)]

[underworld]

Depends upon your preference. Some newer locs I really like. But my favorites are still steamers.

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

ok i may souund like a odd person, if i say this wrong...
i think the b&a rr had GP78 or 87 or something, I DO NOT LIKE THOSE i do like the F's especialy the F7

[trainboyH16-44]

Are you talking about GP7s? I know that they had them....

[trainboyH16-44]

I just realised that I have abandoned love of EMD's spartan cab for the beausty of CP Rail C-424s, with nose headlights and curves everywhere...
Matthew

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

I don't think so. Most modern American train designers seem to think that European trains are the epitomy of style. Bull; they're at LEAST as ugly as they've always been, which is why American railroads traditionally didn't copy them in the first place. If some doofus designer tried to create stylish modern freight engines for this market, they'd end up looking like a suppository (or worse).

So; you have seen a Virgin Trains' Pendolino!
... and those things do 150mph...

[Anonymous]

Yes eyes of the beholder. Baldwin Sharks, Alco PAs, EMD Es, Fs, and even the GP 30's with its broad shoulders were good looking engins. GE started with Box Cabs and it has gone down hill from there (OK I'll give them credit for an attempt at style with the U-Boats). The modern engines are slums on wheels, the same way tenements were dsigned to house working class imigrants without regard to style, todays brutes are boxes thrown at random on a chasis. Ugly yes! If the excuse that there is no need to impress the public, the UP is peeing a ton of money on their special paint schemes, and NS has it nailed down perfectly. Oh and don't get me started on Asian Super Slug design complete with slime trail!
Will

[wctransfer]

The last engine that looked "good" was the SD70 , ya thats right, NO M! I like the conventional. The loco that looked the best i think , was the SD40, SD45, and the SD60. GP30's are cool also. F Units, well, i cant say much more than they were designed very well, and the styling was sweet too. This GE garbage , and the SD70ACe, is just so trashy its getting to the point where i wont bring my cam anymore.

Alec

[dragonriversteel]

Here's what I think to be the ugliest ,if not the fugliest locomotive ever to grace the rails.Although ,it did have 6000HP under the hood,it still is pretty ugly. Oh god,I can't bear to see it anymore,make it go away.

Patrick


http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=142454

[Anonymous]

Widecabs are new? We've had them up here since '73 on CN. CN never had much in the way of Spartan Cabs (SD40's, GP40's, GP38's, the two GP35's and the first order of GP38-2's only) until CN reabsorbed GTW in the 90's. So it was wide-cab SD40-2's, Wide-cab GP40-2's, the M420's and then the Draper Tapers.

The newer loco's are beautifulin a functional way. Nothing looks as powerful as a SD90/43MAC or AC4400CW. They aren't sleek though.

[waltersrails]

i personally like almost all the styles new or old.

[Anonymous]

SD80's and 90's make me sick to look at them.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

I guess I'm in the minority here.

I think that these modern six axle giants are great looking engines!

The SD90, SD80, AC6000, SD75M...............ugly?

The functional "boxiness" adds to the image of tough, rugged, high horsepower machines that will haul super heavy freights at 70m.p.h, if need be. Similar principal to the "boxy" lines of 1960s muscle cars.

Funny thing. I remember that quite a few (yes, me too) didn't like the Amtrak Genesis units when they first hit the rails as they looked "wimpy" with the cab resembling that of an airliner. They grew on me, but I still miss those F40s!

Yes, the old PAs, E units, and F units were sleek, but don't short change the modern units either. Even the new SD70ace, with that weird looking nose, is not so bad compared to the EMD Spartan Cab (standard) which has been around since at least the 1960s. I grew up seeing Spartans everywhere, rather boring at times!

The arrival of the EMD and GE safety cabs in the 80s were indeed a very refreshing sight for my eyes. Started with those Santa Fe Super Fleet GP60Ms. Modelers and Railfans were excited. I still remember model railroaders at my LHS wondering out loud when Athearn or Atlas was going to hurry up and produce HO and N scale safety cabs. Seems like yesterday!

Good Goobly! Now, we're calling these things ugly? [banghead]

Go figure!!!!!!!!!][;)][(-D]

Peace and High Greens![%-)

regarding the muscele cars--good point. 1970 DODGE CHALLENGER R/T 426 HEMI IS THE MODT BEAUTIFUL THING EVER TO EXIST WOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my fav loco is, for style, the GP 30. its cool looking because it looks huskey. it looks strong. the bulging radiator panels give it that look. i also like 44 ton locos, and rs3's look cool. f40ph in amtrak is probably the meanst looking loco out there.
Gearhead426

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GEARHEAD426

regarding the muscele cars--good point. 1970 DODGE CHALLENGER R/T 426 HEMI IS THE MODT BEAUTIFUL THING EVER TO EXIST WOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my fav loco is, for style, the GP 30. its cool looking because it looks huskey. it looks strong. the bulging radiator panels give it that look. i also like 44 ton locos, and rs3's look cool. f40ph in amtrak is probably the meanst looking loco out there.
Gearhead426

[:D][^][8D][:)][angel][bow][4:-)][C=:-)][C):-)][dinner][tup]Did somebody say CHALLENGER and GP30 in the SAME sentence?????????????

[bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow]

[btransue]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones
Wait a minute Al. Your saying the Alco PA-1 and EMD E8 are not "sexy"? Whaaaaaaa?
Aren't they the definition of "sexy diesels"?

I think the Alco PA-1 is the best - although in D&H paint scheme.

The Lehigh Valley ran some in Cornell Red - yech - but I may have to buy one and have it make a guest appearance on my layout when I get it built.[8D]

[vsmith]

I dont call modern locos "Toolboxes on Wheels" for nothin' Give me a PA-1 anyday!

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dragonriversteel

Here's what I think to be the ugliest ,if not the fugliest locomotive ever to grace the rails.Although ,it did have 6000HP under the hood,it still is pretty ugly. Oh god,I can't bear to see it anymore,make it go away.
Patrick

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=142454

OHHHHHHHH! that just AINT right! [xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dragonriversteel

Here's what I think to be the ugliest ,if not the fugliest locomotive ever to grace the rails.Although ,it did have 6000HP under the hood,it still is pretty ugly. Oh god,I can't bear to see it anymore,make it go away.
Patrick

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=142454

[xx(][X-)]


(At a loss for words)

[joeyegarner]

QUOTE: Originally posted by uspscsx

QUOTE: Originally posted by dragonriversteel

Here's what I think to be the ugliest ,if not the fugliest locomotive ever to grace the rails.Although ,it did have 6000HP under the hood,it still is pretty ugly. Oh god,I can't bear to see it anymore,make it go away.
Patrick

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=142454

[xx(][X-)]


(At a loss for words)

[#ditto][#ditto][#ditto][#ditto]

[TrainFreak409]

I don't think I have ever met a train that I have considered ugly. But then again...I like the things most people see as ugly and unusual. SO....Sure, I like the looks of steam better than diesels, but I don't think that diesels are ugly. I think that the SD70ACe, that many people find repulsive, is stylish.

Sure, trains have been downgraded in looks from steamers, but they aren't ugly.

Now, if you want to talk sexy...let's talk about the C & O M1 steam turbine.[8D][:D][;)]

[Train 284]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

QUOTE: Originally posted by dragonriversteel

Here's what I think to be the ugliest ,if not the fugliest locomotive ever to grace the rails.Although ,it did have 6000HP under the hood,it still is pretty ugly. Oh god,I can't bear to see it anymore,make it go away.
Patrick

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=142454

OHHHHHHHH! that just AINT right! [xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(][xx(]

Amen! Who's the idiot who designed that!