' 57 Chevy

[Murphy Siding]

I saw a ' 57 chevy the other day, and was trying to explain to my 10 year old son why *old guys* like dear old dad get so excited when they see one. They were cooler than cool when I was a kid. Anymore, it's pretty rare to see one, and the newer cars just aren't the same. He thought it was an *old guy* thing, and then asked if there was a '57 Chevy equivilent in the railroad world?

[Anonymous]

Definitely a setup for controversy.

I'll start it.

I suspect a lot of the forum members would vote for the Alco PA on this one.

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by drephpe

Definitely a setup for controversy.

I'll start it.

I suspect a lot of the forum members would vote for the Alco PA on this one.

? setup for controversy ? Certainly not meant to be.[:)]

[locomutt]

GP-9, about as equivalient as you can get !! (IMHO !)

Now try to compare a 1965 'CUDA with something else !! (my first car.)

Totally forget the ALCOs........They smoke too much !! [:D]

[espeefoamer]

I agree with the GP9 being a good equivilant.They were both built as tough as nails, and examples of both are still running today [:)].
My first car was a 58 Buick Special hardtop[8D]!

[edblysard]

Actually, finding the carcass of a 57 Bellaire that isn’t rusted through the rockers and around the rear window is rare...
I would rate the GP9 closer to the 56/57 1/2 ton Chevy truck, everybody has one out back, and it was a real work horse...
But the Alco PA goes to the Bellaire look, lots of style and flash, good looking from any angle...and the B unit kinda looks like a Nomad...

Ed

[Anonymous]

Ahh but if you really want looks you need a pre war Ford! Now that's a car. No, it's not an old guy thing.
Railroad equivilent, I would half to go with GP-7 you can't find those any more,
GP-9s not quite as rare.

[Modelcar]

57 Bel Aire is not quite as rare in this area....Many here are restored....A 2-dr hardtop or convertible is up at the top of the list of something really nice. Fuelie or W / 2 4bbl's.....

[Murphy Siding]

My answer to my son was a Milwuakee Road GP 7. In my world, at least, that's a classic worthy of some excitement. ( First car was a '67 Dodge Dart-what a clunker!)

[tmcc man]

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

GP-9, about as equivalient as you can get !! (IMHO !)

Now try to compare a 1965 'CUDA with something else !! (my first car.)

Totally forget the ALCOs........They smoke too much !! [:D]

I love Cuda's, Bel Airs, Corvettes, Camaros, Packards, Cadillac's, everything except Ford's. I also like the new tuner scene and the newer exotics and luxury vehicles. Still, I would take a Cuda over a Lambo Murcielago anyday!! As for an engine, the F3 would be my guess, but it is still one of my fav diesels. That list is long. Steamers as well, very long!!

[Anonymous]

Awwww - the '57 Chevy equivalent has to be the F7.

And I'll stack my '64 and '66 tri-power GTOs up against anything. You might beat me, but it won't be by much . . .

Old Timer

[Anonymous]

My dads old car (thats kept in a heated garage), a 76 Dodge something [8D]

[Anonymous]

Awwww - the '57 Chevy equivalent has to be the F7.

And I'll stack my '64 and '66 tri-power GTOs up against anything. You might beat me, but it won't be by much . . .

Old Timer

[emmar]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

I saw a ' 57 chevy the other day, and was trying to explain to my 10 year old son why *old guys* like dear old dad get so excited when they see one. They were cooler than cool when I was a kid. Anymore, it's pretty rare to see one, and the newer cars just aren't the same. He thought it was an *old guy* thing, and then asked if there was a '57 Chevy equivilent in the railroad world?

Trust me its not an "old guy" thing. Wait about six years and he will be begging you to let him drive it to school. And liking old cars is not a guy thing at all. My favorite truck (its not as old as yours) is a 76 Chevy Scottsdale (dark yellow with a white stripe on the side) and I know a lot of other girls who like old cars. For an equivalent locomotive it would definitly be the GP 7.(There are still to many GP 9s around for it to be an equivalent).

[rrandb]

I have photos from one month ago of GP7, CF7, SD9 and GP9 all in the same place at the same time on the dead line at BNSF Argentine in Kansas City, KS. You can find them if you know where to look but they are rare. An E3A with two tone paint job. That's what I remember about 57's was the two tone and fins. [2c]

[CShaveRR]

I agree with you, Emma; my younger daughter is also a fan of old cars--though her interests lie more in the era before the "futuristic" tailfins.

I would equate the Alco PAs to the T-birds of the 1950s.

The argument about whether a '57 Chevy is the equivalent of a GP7 or GP9 is relatively pointless. It could be either, or both. Either locomotive model will make a railfan take notice, just as a '57 Chevy (or a '56, or a '55), well cared for, attracts attention along the road.

Of course, the Aerotrain's LWT-12 unit has a match: the Edsel (though I suspect some Edsel owners might disagree with that!).

Let's hear some nominations for the automotive equivalent of a BL2!

[John Krug]

The GM Aerotrain used by the Pennsy is exactly what you're looking for. Check it out on some of the old Pennsy videos. Looks just like a Chevy stationwagon going around Horseshoe Curve

[Modelcar]

...Resembles a Nomad. Wrap around windshield and slanted {forward}, windows along the sides.....

[Cthetrains]

guys..don't forget about that rounded-off nasal-spray bottle lookin thing the Brit's had...I believe it was blue...forget the name though

it was a smooth-looker..with power, just like the '57 BelAir

[locomutt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

I agree with you, Emma; my younger daughter is also a fan of old cars--though her interests lie more in the era before the "futuristic" tailfins.

I would equate the Alco PAs to the T-birds of the 1950s.

The argument about whether a '57 Chevy is the equivalent of a GP7 or GP9 is relatively pointless. It could be either, or both. Either locomotive model will make a railfan take notice, just as a '57 Chevy (or a '56, or a '55), well cared for, attracts attention along the road.

Of course, the Aerotrain's LWT-12 unit has a match: the Edsel (though I suspect some Edsel owners might disagree with that!).

Let's hear some nominations for the automotive equivalent of a BL2!

Carl,can't really come up with a good comparison for the BL-2 vs whatever,but
just off the top of my head,how about a "Tucker".??

Nice analogy between the Aerotrain and the Edsel though.[swg]

[Anonymous]

Kewl Thread!

'55 Chevy = F7
'57 Chevy = FP9 or FL9 ?
old pickup )Pick your favorite brand) = GP7/9's
Musclecar (let's say '67 Nova SS or '70 Chevelle = GP40

List could go on forever!

[Anonymous]

I would say that either E-Units or F-Units woudl be the 57 Chevys of trians. Such good looking locomotives..! [;)]

[adrianspeeder]

Here's our version of a "geep 9"

'66 F-250
[img.nr]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/268955/fullsize/Field%20poser%20pics%2066%20pass%20side%20and%20front.JPG[/img.nr]

Guess this would be a geep30?

'71 F100
[img.nr]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/267579/fullsize/Snow%20F100.JPG[/img.nr]

Adrianspeeder

[Modelcar]

....Now there is a different one....The Tucker by Locomut....One of my favorite interests....and of course I have a die-cast model of one. Have actually seen 8 out of the 51 built....
I believe I'd compare the '57 Chevy to the E-8's....Both should have had lots of power...The '57 we know it had plenty of engine choices and the E-8's should have done well for themselves with their 2-engines, and good looks as mentioned before.

[rrandb]

How quickly we forget the hudson terraplane. It was flying about 6 inches off the ground. Does the lionel Phantom III count? Na it wasn't real. I vote PA . It was that fined grill on the headlight.

[Anonymous]

I'd agree with the F7. An E8 would be more like a '59 Caddy IMO. If he wants another analogy, it's also like a vintage Fender Stratocaster guitar.

[Leon Silverman]

The NYC did an experimental run with an RDC ropelled by JET engines. They had the shape of the 57' Chevy's rear moving backwards.

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Leon Silverman

The NYC did an experimental run with an RDC ropelled by JET engines. They had the shape of the 57' Chevy's rear moving backwards.

What in the world would be the advantage of a jet-propelled RDC?[:0] Was this an experiment to improve running times? Or, perhaps it was to improve acceleration times out of a station?(Jet Assisted Take Off?[;)])

[locomutt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by Leon Silverman

The NYC did an experimental run with an RDC ropelled by JET engines. They had the shape of the 57' Chevy's rear moving backwards.

What in the world would be the advantage of a jet-propelled RDC?[:0] Was this an experiment to improve running times? Or, perhaps it was to improve acceleration times out of a station?(Jet Assisted Take Off?[;)])

I remember this one when it was tried;Trains had a very good article on it.
I think it was more for "snow removal"; (kinda like the flatcar with the jet engine on it)
than Fast commuter service.[:D]

[daveklepper]

It was just a publicity stunt by Pearlman, and axing the 20th Century and other named trains followed shortly after, plus single tracking the Boston and Albany. But he had to reduce expnenses.