Favorite Engine

[Anonymous]

This survey is bound to create partisanship, but I would like to know which diesel locomotive railfans and hoggers favor. Personally, I really liked the GP38-2. Isn't much good on mainlines nowadays, but that engines keeps going and going. While Alco's and U30's have been scrapped, many railroads are still using the GP38-2 on branchlines and in yard duty. Say alot about the engine.

I also like the SD90MAC from an appearance standpoint. Don't know how it compares reliability-wise to other EMD units. Time will tell.

[Anonymous]

I can't name any type of engine that is my favorite, but I can tell you of one specific engine that I have loved since I was a kid. It's known as the Bondurant Grain Express, and it's an NW2, painted in the colors of my alma mater, blue and white. It's sole purpose is to switch the grain hoppers in and out of the elevator. It is only used during harvest season, but it looks good just sitting there.

[Anonymous]

As a child of the late 50s, early 60's, my favorite was and is an EMD "F" unit. I grew up watching these beautiful machines roaring through town on the point of Southern freights.

[Anonymous]

I am also a child of the late 50's and 60's but the strongest impression on me living on an ACL secondary line was the gorgeous sight of the EMD E-6, E-7,s and E-8's pulling the accomodation trains of that era; Boy, seeing those purple, silver and later black/yellow with their haunting M-5 horns - I never dreamed they wouldn't always be around. Oh, well......

[Anonymous]

Forced to name a favorite, I'd have to say Grand Trunk Western's old 4900 series passenger geeps.
As a real youngster, I would see them doing their intended duty, as I aged, along with them, I saw them first bumped into the general freight pool, then, later, assigned to yard service. My parents house was within earshot of the big yard in Battle Creek, MI, at night with the wind just right I'd listen to those magnificent machines working their guts out classifying cuts of cars.
Later on, many were rebuilt into GP-9R's. Better than scrapping them, but just not the same....
Todd C.

[eolafan]

As there is no right nor wrong answer to your question, I am going to simply put my two cents in here. I also grew up in the fifties and sixties in the New York area and became hooked on railroading aftre seeing the NYC FL9 units on the Harlem division coming through my home town of Bronxville at sixty per. After moving to Wisconsin in the seventies, I was really hooked after watching SOO, MLW, CNW and BN trains, then moved to Naperville, IL along the triple track raceway and was super hooked. My favorite, not one but several...all F's, all E's, F45, SD45 and all the old Geeps. Jim in Illinois

[favuprailroadfan]

Even though I am only 23(24 later this month), my favorite loco is the SD40-2. Excellant loco, even though, they are getting to the end of their service life. They are still posting reliability of 90%. But the loco that is really starting to catch my eye is the SD70M. These are posting( last time I heard) of 98%. Thats a really good track record considering with all the newer loco's out there. These are the four of my fav. in order. 1. SD40-2 2. SD70M 3. GP60. 4.SD45.

I have to give GE a little credit I GUESS. They make a good C44-9W. But do they have a 98% availability rate. I don't think so. Even though I will probably get a reply for the last one I made, so if you have anything to say. Tell me about it.

Laters, Dru

[Anonymous]

I grew up along the Maryland & Pennsylvania; I saw NW 2's and SW9's; even a little steam. I've worked for B&O/Chessie/CSX for 32 years; 28 as an engineer. My favorites are a little different. I loved running the SW 1's built in 1940/43. If they were overloaded, they wouldn't spin wheels, they'd just sit there and hum! My next favorite was B&O's SD7 and SD9. When they worked hard I swear you could hear them in Glen Burnie. Nothing else EMD built sounded just like them.

[Anonymous]

I grew up as a military dependent in West Germany and Italy for six of my school years, and I fell in love with the E-44 electric engine. It could freights and passenger trains, and they fronted every train that went through my neighborhoods. Probably the best classic electric engine ever.

[Anonymous]

I would have to agree with you on the SD40-2. They're like the Everedy battery. They just keep going and going. You got to hand it to EMD. They built good engines back in the 50's, 60's and 70's. You can still see many GP38-2 and GP35's around, even on the mainline.

[Anonymous]

Long live the GG1!Greastest locomotive ever built.

[BRAKIE]

Well,Speaking as a former brakeman,I must add the GP7/9.I have worked with these units many times,they was tough,lean,mean,lug,tug,do everything,all around locomotive.

[Dad Howe]

My favorite EMD has always been the GP30. They look like they have places to go, things to do with their dynamic brake cowling bunched up over the cab. every once in a while I'll see one working a CSX local switch job in the greater Cincinnati area. I think some ofthem are now unpowered slugs, but my heart skips every time I see one.

Dad Howe

[Anonymous]

I like them all. But, just for argument, the GE C30-7. I like the looks.

[Anonymous]

Here is my contribution...

My favorites are all EMDs. SD70MAC, SD40-2, GP38-2, and SD60M.

One of my favs used to be the DASH-9, until I heard how much problems they have, and that BNSF's own SD40-2s are having to pick up the slack, that the DASH-9 was acquired for.

-Wolv33
CEO Midwestern Double-line Railroad

[Jackflash]

Hands down,,SD40-2, you are going to get home

[tankertoad70]

I always enjoyed watchin' the EMD SD7s and 9s. Saw lots of them in northern Minnesota on the GN and DM&IR pulling long cuts of ore jennies. A day anywhere in California in later years always was complete when I would see a four lokie brace of Espee Cadillacs rollin' through.

[Anonymous]

Although I did not grow up near (enough) to be able to watch the trains, my favorites were the early GP's, early SD's (SD7's, 9's, & 24's in particular) and Alco RS and RSC series locos. You might say, my heart is in 1st gen diesels.
Lisa / Minnesota

[wabash1]

i prefer the sd 60 and 70s.followed by the rest of the emd line up. they have never made a bad emd engine.

[Jackflash]

Right you are, the worst EMD ever made was
better than anything GE made, jackflash

[Anonymous]

GE P42 all the way! They are sleek and look really good in the new Amtrak paint scheme. It's what Amtrak needs to pull it into the 21st century (in addition to some $$$ from the govt).
I've heard they have many creature comforts, good A/C, but the visibility ain't worth a darn, and they are slow loaders. But I've also heard that they "dig in" once they get up past 25 or 30MPH.

[Anonymous]

I guess the two of you forgot about the GP-50.
Northwestern had 'em all in storage long before their leases expired. Brings to mind an old saying, "trying to put ten pounds of $&#@ in a five pound sack".
Todd C.

[wabash1]

i did not forget the gp 50 they are very good units never had a problem with them. but im not getting into a war on what was wrong with each unit. this thread is what you like ... some like ge some like emd. heck i like the little 2 seater inspection cars from back in the 70s but that wasnt asked either..lol

[Anonymous]

O.K. well, I guess this IS all in fun anyway...
But the '50,s WERE lemons. Just ask anyone who has had to tend to them. As far as EMD vs GE, all I can say is I support the locomotives that are still built with American labor on American soil.
Yes, I am a union man. And proud of it.
Todd C.
P.S. I like the old motor cars too.

[Anonymous]

My favourite has to be the GM F's. They were pretty good pullers, had a great view, safer if you hit a rock slide (tended to dig in, rather than climb up and over). They were a bit prone to slipping until they got going, and no fun trying to switch with in the rain or winter, hanging out the window, but all in all a great engine. Looked classy too!

[whee8851]

The Fs were beautiful locomotives. They bring back memories for me of the silver and purple Atlantic Coast Line "Gulf Coast Special" pulling into Kingstree, South Carolina.

[Anonymous]

One thing GE made was the famous POOCH. The loco that fired America.

[wabash1]

the gp 50 engines were good engines never had a problem with them run good and dynamic was good the sd50s the only thing i can find wrong with these engines are the dynamic erratic.

[Anonymous]

Oh yea, ever try to put out a turbo fire in one of those P-30's? I for one am glad they are gone.They were much quieter in the cab than the F-40's, but as far as anything else goes, they were a major pain. I never much cared for the ladder and steps either.
Todd C.

[Jackflash]

Remember about 6 or 7 years ago there were
a bunch of SD40 SD45 and I think SD50 rebuilds
with catipillar engines installed, SP had it
done, looked brand new and ran real good.
where are they now? havent seen them in a long
time. jackflash