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
My favorite locomotive has always been the ALCO C430. I have 3 of the Bowser 430s on my Detroit Southern layout.
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.
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!!
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)
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.
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!
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.
RS-3s ... especially on New England roads.
Mike
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
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.
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!"
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.
F3's, F7's, F9's, FP7/9's, GP7/9's, GP40's.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
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.
D&RGW and SP SD45's and tunnel motors.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
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