Trains.com

favorite engine models

4069 views
48 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Louisville,Ky.
  • 5,077 posts
Posted by locomutt on Monday, December 22, 2003 6:06 AM
Well I like the BL-2,RS-3,GE-44Tonner,But Iguess the best
would be EMD'sRS-1325. Only 2 units built. I belive they went
to the old TP&W.


locomutt[:D]

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 20, 2003 4:20 PM
My favorite locos when I was a hostler was an SD-70 and an old SW - 1500. what a little sports car!!!!!!![:D] When it comes to models it will have to be an SP GS-4 in Daylight colors and an A-B-A set of GP-60M's [bow]
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Monday, December 15, 2003 3:27 PM
Sorry, I forgot my least favorite after my long tirade:

I've got two:
The F59 PHI. Looks like a mutated Hot Wheels van, not a locomotive!
The BQ23-7. (uggg!) Worst looking safety cab of all time! (and I like GEs!)

Before this, my least favorite was the GE Genesis series being used by Amtrak. I must admit though that after watching the Amtrak Palmetto breeze by at 60mph near my neighborhood, they've "sort of" grown on me as they do look sleek at speed. It's ironic as back in the 1980s the F40ph "grew on me" after Amtrak got rid of the "rail ripping" SDPs. (that term was coined by SF or BN executive upset of the damages caused by the units)

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 15, 2003 3:19 PM
Or for that matter I like any locomotive built by the ALCo family, which includes: ALCo, MLW, & Bombardier. Also I like most EMD locomotives, but I absolutely [}:)]LOATHE[}:)] General Electric locos.[;)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 15, 2003 3:15 PM
My absolute favorite would be the Bombardier RSD-35W, built for the narrow gauge White Pass & Yukon Route in Alaska. Followed closely by an ALCo C-630 with ALCo's (6-axle) Hi-AD trucks.[:)][:D][8D][;)]
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Monday, December 15, 2003 3:15 PM
Favorite from the past: The 100mph E7. Reigned as king of passenger service in the 50s and early 60s! For doubters, there's plenty of vintage videos showing these "hot rods" slicing the wind like a Trans Am at these speeds! Ironically E7s are virtually extinct. I believe there's one somewhere in the U.S preserved. Please correct me if I'm wrong!

Overall favorite( as you can guess by my name) : The EMD Cowls, Particularly the Santa Fe FP45: They just look Sharp in the "Super Fleet" paint scheme. Several have been saved in museums. I wonder if any are running yet? I love the fact that today's EMD safety cab equipped units, like the SD70, have a modified version of the cowl nose and windshield. Sharp looking design! I'm glad that the infamous "Red Ribbed Rail Ripper" SDP40f was able to redeem itself after the Amtrak disasters. Santa Fe got 18 from Amtrak, modified them and used them on 70mph fast freights in the 80s and 90s before retiring them just two or three years ago!

My favorite modern engine is the SD75 model that has the flared radiators like the old SD45s. (MAC?)
Does anyone know who in EMD designed the cowl? Definetly a winner!

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 14, 2003 8:58 PM
Jus thinking about it probably my second best would be the BUDD RDC series.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 14, 2003 8:56 PM
My favorite loco of all time has to be the EMD FL-9 in the old New Haven livery. The reason i like this one because 1. its an oddball, 2.its still around and plans to be around for a little longer( as long as Metro North still has 1 or 2 car non rush hour shuttle trains, and 3. before i became an engineer forr CSX, I knew a few engineers for Metro North who would let me in the cab and get my grubby little paws all over the things and even let me run a few of them.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Anywhere there are trains
  • 578 posts
Posted by Train Guy 3 on Thursday, December 11, 2003 8:47 PM
My favorite steam locomotive was the N&W J Class. Sleek black with a tuscan red stripe. Nothing like a streamlined 4000 horsepower loco to get your mind going. Great technologicaly advanced locomotive. I never liked the GE Genesis locos. I've been in the cab of one, quite boring to me..... well they were Amtrak locos.

TG3 LOOK ! LISTEN ! LIVE ! Remember the 3.

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 170 posts
Posted by DTomajko on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 10:53 PM
Favorite steam engine: PRR H - 8, 9, or 10,the unheralded grunt of the railroad. Sentimental favorite diesel: Baldwin Centipede, imangine trying to rerail one of those beasts!!!!!!! Modern era favorite: the SD / GP40 / -2: four SDs on the front of a coal train with four more pushing on Conrail ascending the east or west slope of the Alleghenies,screaming turbos and 645s all the way. Runner-up favorite: any old U-boat,four or six filling the sky with smoke from a stop with a heavy train or one in a group of EMDs chug-chug-chugging along, the honorary ALCo!!! Hey,lets be careful out there.Stay safe and happy holidays to all.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 9:41 PM
I Really like the S.D 7/9 as they look really good in any paint then S.D 45's and then E & F unit's as they also look great in any paint scheme
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 6:58 PM
Diesel: B&O Passenger scheme Sharknose and E-8 Locos
Electric: GG1 & Acela/ hhp-8
Steam: Big Boy, T1, & Allegheny
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 6:19 PM
i like the gp-9 just cause was fun. you can drive one for 200 bucks an hour on the Naugy down in waterville, Ct. .
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 6:02 PM
NW-5s, RSD-15's, SD-26's, slugs and just about anything else old, rare or obscure.....
Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 5:16 PM
[8)] Fave's : SD-18 thru 90's ,F40c,U30-33, CG30,B37's MAC15's,Pa1's,E4-8's,FL9's,E44's,GG1's,Q1&2's,N2as,T1's,S2's,M1a's,HHP8's ,APL44's [:D] Dis's : GP30's,FT's,Camelbacks,Any HH1000's,BL2's,Fa's,E40's,DD1's [xx(]
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: US
  • 9 posts
Posted by BJRubino on Friday, March 1, 2002 10:34 PM
Favorite: SD-90MAC
Least Favorite: PA units
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 28, 2002 10:22 PM
Most favorite(s) would be any Alco RS series followed closely by the SD-60 & 70M's, personal least favorites were the GP30's (especially the high hood 30's), and early GE U-boats.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 2:10 PM
I think that the SDL-39 is my favorite engine.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 6:44 AM
Best german engine:class 152 AC-electric- modern,powerfull,aesthetic
worst:british class 66(EMD built),which runs also in Germany (thank god-only four units...)and is the ugliest engine ever
Best U.S.:GE AC 60 CW/EMD SD 90 MAC-both are modern and they look as powerfull as they are
worst:if the class 66 hadnĀ“t already the title,I would agree,that the BL2 should win it...
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 6:43 PM
I'm A conductor on the BNSF out of Los Angeles. Take it from me you can't beat the comfort of the new GE Dash 9 ! Sure the SD-40 is A great work horse but they are noisy, dirty, and smelley!! Try climbing into the toilet to take A dump on an old SD or Gp and you'll see what I mean!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 14, 2002 8:51 AM
the UP big boys. also northerns. i also think that the natural-gas-turbine-powered engine UP experimented with awhile back is pretty cool.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 6:31 PM
I will nominate the early GE C39-8 with the rounded cab roof. The style implies POWER with the blower and radiator above the roof line. The sheet metal panels with the "X" dimples. The low nose sheetmetal style with headlight and number board position. Even running long end forward with the radiator wings on the NS. They are all business looking machines.
Alco C-855 were they ugly ducklings.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 5:09 PM
Well, I'd have to say that my favorite steam locomotive is the 4-6-6-4 Challenger. For diesel, probably the SD-45-2. Least favorite steam, the Shay-very ugly! Least favorite diesel, the 80 ton center cab switcher.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 11, 2002 11:59 PM

Hmmmm.... Well, my least favorite are anything that has to do with passenger other than Amtrak...prob the F9s.

I particularly like the RS-11s, GP-20s, GP-38-2s, U28Cs, and SD-40s. Newer ones are the Dash-9s...
  • Member since
    August 2001
  • From: US
  • 240 posts
Posted by gbrewer on Sunday, February 10, 2002 1:38 PM
D&RGW c-16 narrow gauge 2-8-0s, and t-12 4-6-0s.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 10, 2002 12:20 PM
easist to work on,gp 38-2.HARDEST to work on,any f or e unit.best looking,emd e6,worst,ge genesis.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 2, 2002 3:06 PM
One more thing that was most enjoyable while riding on the SD-40's was while on the long deck out side, was having a 'doob'. This really 'hightens' the total R.R. experience. Will this forum have the you know what's to post this reply?...Hommie
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 2, 2002 2:51 PM
The best Engines for me were, and allways will be the SD-40's. Easy to run, huge grunt force, and a great long front and rear deck to stand out on while running is incomperable. Being out-side while on the move, running through the Cascades to Wenatchee for example was huge, and made up for alot of the B.S. we occasionaly had to put up with...Hommie
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 2, 2002 2:21 PM
The ugly shovel nose units you are talking about.Have you ever seen one that hit a gasoline tanker truck.Guess what it looked liked.It was in Seaboard system paint.The last time i seen it was in CSX paint.That 7074 looks good.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy