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Probably been asked before... which was the ugliest diesel (by generation)

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Posted by Newyorkcentralfan on Thursday, July 12, 2007 10:02 PM

The California Zephyr always used conventional equipment.

 

 neil300 wrote:

I think he is refering to the original articulated streamliner.

 

 

 Renegade1c wrote:

 Zodiac Thriller wrote:
Hello I am new here and I will saythat the ugliest engine in general is the California Zepher

There was never an engine called the California Zephyr. This was the name of several passenger trains (full trains) that ran from San Fransisco to Chicago, via Denver.

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Posted by green_elite_cab on Thursday, July 12, 2007 9:33 PM
 myred02 wrote:

The BQ23-7? Ah yes... the Aegis Class Cruiser!

See the similarities?

This would probably get my vote for second... or it would tie with that "RS-3" you have there...

Apparently, once CSX got them they kept them in operation into the late 90's.

-Brandon

 

Nice....  I'll have to remember that one. 

 but yeah, that RS3 has my vote.   Initially, i figured all diesels have their charms, even if they are boxy, rusty, and ancient, but the way they did the windows on that RS3, and how they left the top of the round roof, its just weird.

Modeling Conrail, Amtrak and NJ DOT under the wires in New Jersey, July 1979.  

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Posted by riverotter1948 on Thursday, July 12, 2007 7:01 PM

EMD SD-50 gets my vote for least aesthetic -- it's just a long rectangular box with a cab and a nose. B-o-r-i-n-g. Maybe that doesn't qualify as ugly, but it's an utterly mediocre and forgettable design. To me that's worse than ugly.

 P.S. To put that assessment in perspective, I really like the BL-2. I own three of them. (My wife says that from the front they look like a sad puppy dog.)

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Posted by METRO on Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:33 PM
 steemtrayn wrote:

No comment.....

 Did anybody mention the BQ23-7?

 

The Canadian Pacific had some downright wierd looking engines, their RS3Ms were absolute buchery (notice they even cut the multimark in half!) but by no means was this their only oddball:

The FM Trainmaster "Ram Heads"

 

The SD10 (chopped nose hunched back SD7)

 

The M640 (biggest Alco CP owned, check out the weird radiator area)

 

Not all are completely ugly but wierd none the less, gotta love quirky railroads.

 

Cheers!

~METRO 

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:25 PM
 Renegade1c wrote:

 Zodiac Thriller wrote:
Hello I am new here and I will saythat the ugliest engine in general is the California Zepher

There was never an engine called the California Zephyr. This was the name of several passenger trains (full trains) that ran from San Fransisco to Chicago, via Denver.

I think he is refering to the original articulated streamliner.

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Posted by jims trains on Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:24 PM

 bush9245 wrote:

I have always considered the VR double ended GM locos ugly. Not when seen by themselves, but when connected to a train because it looks like the cab that should be facing forward is facing the carriages. And then if double heading it looks like they don't know which way they are going.

I always thought the VR RT 'Rail Tractor' was a strange beast. For those who have never heard of it, imagine a short 2 axle flat car, with a tractor engine, and an oversized cab. Then, to make it stand out even more paint it bright yellow! But despite being ugly, 54 of them were built, and many continue to survive where more 'beautiful' deisels have been scrapped or sold to tourist railways.

For a picture, go to http://home.waterfront.net.au/~sem/locos.htm#RT  

For US deisels, the BL has to be top of the list for me. Followed closely by the Baldwin DT6-6-2000 which the EJ&E had, which looks like a GE44 Tonner on steroids. Ulgy, but still very interesting none the less - strangely compelling!

 Go to railpictures.net and select the Baldwin DT6-6-2000 from Locomotive type list to see a photo or two.

 

 James Stanford 

 

Real men play trains!
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Posted by Renegade1c on Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:21 PM

 Zodiac Thriller wrote:
Hello I am new here and I will saythat the ugliest engine in general is the California Zepher

There was never an engine called the California Zephyr. This was the name of several passenger trains (full trains) that ran from San Fransisco to Chicago, via Denver.


Colorado Front Range Railroad: 
http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/

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Posted by snagletooth on Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:16 PM
 myred02 wrote:
 steemtrayn wrote:

No comment.....

 Did anybody mention the BQ23-7?

 

The BQ23-7? Ah yes... the Aegis Class Cruiser!

See the similarities?

This would probably get my vote for second... or it would tie with that "RS-3" you have there...

Apparently, once CSX got them they kept them in operation into the late 90's.

-Brandon

 

Yea, I understand it was so technically advanced it could wipe out an entire fleet of cabooses in the State of Florida in one strike! Banged Head [banghead]Whistling [:-^]
Snagletooth
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Posted by jackmp294 on Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:05 PM
I would agree with most with it the BL-2 being the ugliest, but then most of the CF7's are in second place, and the ALCO C-855. But what about the nose on those MK5000. That barks at the moon. But they did sound good with that CAT power. Jackmp294
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Posted by Hudson on Thursday, July 12, 2007 5:27 PM

Definitely the Baldwin "Babyface". First gen.

 

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Posted by hogheadmt on Thursday, July 12, 2007 4:49 PM
 I'd have to say the BL-2 is the ugliest. (I keep thinkng there's gotta be an engine under that (front) "hood".)  The GE U50 is second in line....makes me think of a Great Lakes ore boat on wheels.
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Posted by bpickering on Thursday, July 12, 2007 4:23 PM

 accord1959 wrote:
Definately has to be the GE U50C. Only a mother could love that and since it doesn't have one....

What? The U50C doesn't have anything on the Alco C-855.

NE Railfan picture

I want one, though. Darn hard to find, even in brass. 

Brian Pickering "Typos are very important to all written form. It gives the reader something to look for so they aren't distracted by the total lack of content in your writing." - Randy K. Milholland
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Posted by myred02 on Thursday, July 12, 2007 3:43 PM
 steemtrayn wrote:

No comment.....

 Did anybody mention the BQ23-7?

 

The BQ23-7? Ah yes... the Aegis Class Cruiser!

See the similarities?

This would probably get my vote for second... or it would tie with that "RS-3" you have there...

Apparently, once CSX got them they kept them in operation into the late 90's.

-Brandon

 

Modeling (and railfanning) the CSX mainlines since... ah fudge I forgot! http://myred02.rrpicturearchives.net/ http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=myred02
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Posted by Gandy Dancer on Thursday, July 12, 2007 1:35 PM
 steemtrayn wrote:

No comment.....

photo of RS-3 rebuld deleted. 

The ultimate "hang dog" look?  A look the Chrystler corporation is trying to replicate on their vehicles so no one will call them cute.  Of course they don't seem to realize that "not cute" is usually closer to "ugly" than it is to "mean" or "cool".

 Paul3 wrote:
What's also of interest is that strange box around the exhaust stack in the turbo-area.
I interpreted it as some sort of winterization feature.

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Posted by Paul3 on Thursday, July 12, 2007 10:41 AM

Remember folks, that an RS-1 has more of a square profile with riveted construction, and the cab has a little lip overhang on the cab ends.  The fuel tank is under the cab and the battery boxes are under the frame.

An RS-2 also has the below-cab fuel tank and underframe batteries, but is of welded construction.  It has a much more rounded profile at the corners and no roof overhang on the cab ends.

The RS-3 looks like an RS-2 (welded, rounded, no overhang), but has above the frame battery boxes, and has a below the frame fuel tank.

This makes CPRail #8460 a chop-nose RS-3 (note the battery boxes next to the nose), sort of like an anti-Hammerhead.  What's also of interest is that strange box around the exhaust stack in the turbo-area.

BTW, CP wasn't the only one to do this to an RS-3.  I think Alaska RR did something similar.

Paul A. Cutler III
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Weather Or No Go New Haven
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, July 12, 2007 9:15 AM

On another thread, forum members were mentioning how they disliked visitors calling their models "cute". Tongue [:P]

A model of one of several prototypes in this thread would be a potential cure for that situation.  Wink [;)] 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by Dave-the-Train on Thursday, July 12, 2007 7:17 AM
 steemtrayn wrote:

No comment.....

 Did anybody mention the BQ23-7?

Got to comment on this one!  (Just so we get another look at it! Mischief [:-,])

That's not ugly... it's just wearing flip-up shades over specs!

Where can I get one?

...and are any of the BQ23-7s still available?

Cool [8D]

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Posted by Cannoli on Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:43 AM
 accord1959 wrote:
 steemtrayn wrote:

No comment.....

 Did anybody mention the BQ23-7?

 

That is the ugliest mod I've ever seen, is it a modified RS1? It's so ugly it almost looks good!

Looks like it started out life as an RS3 to me. I can't find any further info on this particular loco but the # previous in the series, 8459, is an RS3 at least it was accordign to this

As for the BQ23-7, I forgot about that one, had a Bachman model very early into my model railroading life. Here's a photo of one painted in CSX livery.

 

Modeling the fictional B&M Dowe, NH branch in the early 50's.

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Posted by accord1959 on Thursday, July 12, 2007 12:03 AM
 steemtrayn wrote:

No comment.....

 Did anybody mention the BQ23-7?

 

That is the ugliest mod I've ever seen, is it a modified RS1? It's so ugly it almost looks good!
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Posted by steemtrayn on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 11:53 PM

No comment.....

 Did anybody mention the BQ23-7?

 

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Posted by accord1959 on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 11:46 PM
Definately has to be the GE U50C. Only a mother could love that and since it doesn't have one....
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Posted by Cannoli on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 7:36 PM
I just did a search on Google for pics of  U50, I had never seen one until today. Now that I have, it defiantely gets my vote as ugly! I had previously mentioned that I'm not a fan of the SD70's and ES44's, but they are much better looking than the U50, that thing is a brute!

Modeling the fictional B&M Dowe, NH branch in the early 50's.

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Posted by tomikawaTT on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 4:52 PM

The absolute plug-ugliest diesel-engined locomotive of all time was not a production unit.  It was an unsanctified marriage of a geared locomotive chassis and a high-capacity diesel engine (possibly from a piece of construction machinery) wrapped in corrugated sheet iron reminiscent of a dirt farmer's chicken house.  Some Pacific Coast logging operation inflicted it on the unsuspecting forest.

Don't remember where I saw this thing, and don't have a specific reference - just the memory of a black-and-white photo that still sticks (sideways) in my aesthetic intake chute.

The 4 and 5 ton 4-wheel industrial tram locos used by the Kiso Forest Railway are a distant second.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

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Posted by myred02 on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 3:41 PM

 jkroft wrote:
To anyone who said the BL-2............you KNOW you'd be fascinated if you saw a real one in- person running today.

Not only have I seen one running in person, but I also took a cab ride in one! Sure it's ugly, but it's got class. Plus, it just sounds cool (thanks to a leaky ol' EMD 567B prime mover).

That's me with my arm out the conductor's side window.

As for the ugliest diesel, I'll vote for the U50. It's big, it's powerful, and it's ugly.

-Brandon

Modeling (and railfanning) the CSX mainlines since... ah fudge I forgot! http://myred02.rrpicturearchives.net/ http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=myred02
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Posted by jblackwelljr on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 3:18 PM

 bush9245 wrote:
Dave,

Thanks for starting this thread. I had never heard of BL2 or Ingalls. I reckon the BL2 gets my vote. That is ugly!!! Of course that paint scheme enhances the ugliness. Thanks for sharing that one.
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/monon35.jpg

One word comes to mind on that Monon #35.....platypus

Jim "He'll regret it to his dyin day, if ever he lives that long." - Squire Danaher, The Quiet Man
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Posted by Gandy Dancer on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 11:10 AM
 Heartland Division CBnQ wrote:
Now, if you want a really ugly engine, think back to pre-WWII. Santa Fe's orginal road passnger diesels were units 1 and 1A. They were box cabs built by EMC and hauled the original Super Chief with heavyweight cars. Santa Fe shops abominated the units with some incredibly ugly creations. Other re-builds followed, but the 1938 rebuilt #1 resulted in a rarely attained level of ugliness. They raised the cab to a high level and installed curved sheet metal across the nose. 
I have to agree there.  I had considered that loco for the ugliest, BUT because it was a one-of-a-kind I discounted it.  If one considers the single unit abominations that the loco shops came up with they would probably win all the prizes. Note that three of METROs selections are one-offs.  The CF7 is a home built, but they made bunches of them so I think that is a valid "vote" for ugly.  Ditto for the GP9M built in Paducah.
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Posted by cwclark on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 10:56 AM
I'd have to say the Alco RS low nose series of diesels were the ugliest diesels.

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Posted by Cannoli on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 10:49 AM
I think the only locos I'd call ugly are the current crop of modern units from GE and EMD. They are just to common place and very similar in looks to me, then again, I was never a wide nose fan. The current SD70's and ES40's don't do much for me. I prefer the slightly older "modern" loco's such as the C40-8. As for the BL2, it's so different that I love it! My layout currently rosters two of them.

Modeling the fictional B&M Dowe, NH branch in the early 50's.

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Posted by METRO on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 10:39 AM

Alright here's my update:

First Generation:

Winner: Reading's experimental Baldwin #60

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/rdg/rdg60s.jpg

Runner Up: Frisco's RS2M 

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/slsf/slsf553.jpg

 

Second Generation:

Winner: SOO's SD40B

http://www.sooline.org/publications/drawings/locomotives/SD40_SD402/6450.gif

Runner Up: The SDP-45

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nw/nw6668ags.jpg

 

Third Generation:

Winner: Long Island's DE30

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/li/li418l.jpg

Runner Up: Utah Railway's (by way of SP) MK5000C

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/misc-u/utah5005cqc.jpg

 

Special Category, So Ugly They're Cool:

Winner: Alco RSD15 High Hood

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/pc/pc6816ags.jpg

Runner Up: CP's FM Trainmaster Ram-Heads

http://members.shaw.ca/cprclc1/TMPics/CP8901_Nelson_Oct7-1957.jpg

 

Cheers!

~METRO 

 

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 8:46 AM

Why is everyone picking on BL2's?  They are much more stylish than the more common GP7's and GP9's.  Now had GM installed Cadillac styled tail fins, you'd have a valid compalint.  However, as built, BL2's aren't bad looking in my opinion.

Now, if you want a really ugly engine, think back to pre-WWII. Santa Fe's orginal road passnger diesels were units 1 and 1A. They were box cabs built by EMC and hauled the original Super Chief with heavyweight cars. Santa Fe shops abominated the units with some incredibly ugly creations. Other re-builds followed, but the 1938 rebuilt #1 resulted in a rarely attained level of ugliness. They raised the cab to a high level and installed curved sheet metal across the nose. Its lead truck was changed from 2 axle to six axle.  For a period of time the rear 2 axle truck was retained. They applied the war bonnet paint scheme to the unit. It was quite a sight.  Even with a war bonnet, it was ugly looking.

More recently (1970's and 1980's), some of the railroad shop's made yard slug units from old road diesels.  You could enter one of those slugs in the ugly contest and have a potential winner.     

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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