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Best looking locomotive


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In stark contrast to the 'Ugliest Locomotive' thread, I thought I'd kick of a thread to find the best looking locomotive.

 

My nominees:

LNER A4

LNER P2/1

and something a little closer to home

J&A Brown ROD 2-8-0 (Robinson O4)

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I don't buy into the glamour of high profile locomotives, to be honest I wouldn't and don't give half of them a second glance, so to me the likes of the A4 etc are just met with indifference. The Stanier 8F I think looks fantastic in a purposeful way, and I love the Peckett type R and type W series of 0-4-0STs. My absolute favourites are the SP AC10 cab forwards though, unconventional, ungainly, brutish and yet absolutely captivating. Diesel wise I tend lean towards the same place, I love the look (even more so the noise) of the SD45T-2. It is such an ugly, thuggish machine that it looks brilliant, in much the same way that the R32 Skyline GTR will never win a beauty contest, but I find that to be the best looking car on the planet.

Edited by Zunnan
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All engines with copper caped chimney.

 

Well to me it will be engines with clean outlines and a balanced look and with a tapered boiler. Ie Halls, 28XX, 47XX, 4575, 5101 and 43XX. And also the copies. Black 5, 8F, Coronation (none streamlined) etc.

Edited by industrial
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I find it MUCH harder to choose my favourite "best" looker, as against my "worst" looker.

 

My steam choice is either a Peppercorn A1/A2 or Britannia.

 

My diesel choice is the Deltic.

 

We will no doubt get as many variations of choice in this thread as there are posts. I think it's important to distinguish how we perceive looks as against all round favourites (taking lots of other criteria into consideration).

 

Jeff

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Guest Natalie Graham

Top 3:

 

Sacré's Class 6B for the MS&L

Jones' Strath class on the HR

Manson's 8 class on the G&SWR

Edited by Natalie Graham
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Although I'm died in the wool GW, an LSWR T9 takes some beating.

 

I find it hard to have a firm favourite from one day to the next. For all that I share John's enthusiasm for the T9 (no layout can have too many), other Drummond and Adam 4-4-0s share the pedestal, as does the straight-framed "Saint". And Gresley had a good eye, too.

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Steam:

 

Favourite engine is 62005: (also seen here: http://www.blackhatr...o.uk/p340258256 )

 

Other favourits are a NER Q6 (some of which here: http://www.blackhatr...o.uk/p103989125 )

 

And really adore a J21 (LSWR T9 - Youve got to be joking - melt it and make another one of these... http://www.blackhatrailwaypictures.co.uk/p570292127/h239e84eb#h239e84eb )

 

Have to crave the indulgance of an A4 and A2.

 

Away from the region I adore (yes its possible :O ) - GWR Panniers, 14xx, Castle and a King get my vote. Black 5's, Rebuilt Royal Scot's and Ivatt 2MT-T

BR standards - Britannia class, Duke is a gorgeous monster of a machine, 76xxx and 78xxx.

 

Diesel:

 

Class 66!! One in particular: http://www.blackhatr...o.uk/p151123395

 

Also rans, class 37, class 50, class 60 on appearance of looks....

 

Units:

 

Going get my leg pulled here, but hey.... http://www.blackhatr...o.uk/p302187427

 

Could have been class 158, class 170.

Edited by The Black Hat
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BlackHat, heres a couple of photo's of 62005 I took in Holbeck in 1967. I'll never forget that number, as my mate (departing footplate) and I were seeking 6'ers. The only 3 we saw was 62005 at Holbeck and 2 B1's at Wakefield, 61123 & 61189.

 

post-6884-0-00562400-1335630765.jpg

 

post-6884-0-13857600-1335630779.jpg

 

Brit15

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This seems to be a very parochial thread, Zunnan excepted. Having said that I haven't yet worked out what I think is best looking. (which of course is not nessasarily the same as my favorite) but I know it might not be from the UK

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Robinson 4-4-0 "Bogie pom-pom" before it was altered with a higher pitched boiler. Perfect proportions and stunning livery. Even better (but only just) than the GCR Atlantics and the Sacre (how do you type an accent?) 4-4-0 mentioned above.

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Bit of an easy one on the steam front, has to be a B1. . .no wait make that a V2. . . . . but then you can't leave out the A4 or 1 or 2 or 3......

 

I know lets look at diesels

 

Easy again it's a Deltic. . . . . . . . .Hang on I meant 52, yep 52 but then what about the Hymek.

 

I give up.

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Anything by Nigel Gresley without the A4/W1/P2/2 streamlining. If one doesn't transpire before I shuffle off this mortal coil, and if there's any truth in reincarnation, I want to come back as a new-build P2 in original form.

Edited by bluebottle
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I think this is a difficult one. My favourite locomotive class - Peppercorn A1s - is not necessarily the most beautiful. Equally, the ones I find the most "handsome" - the A2/3s - are also not "beautiful".

 

I think there's only one locomotive class I could honestly describe as beautiful - perfectly proportioned, with a stunning bright livery.

 

The Ivatt C1, 4-4-2. Arguably, then, the refinement by Marsh for his H2 Atlantic for the LBSCR, if not in livery but in form, perfects the original.

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Oooh, this is the ultimate in subjective opinion. My answer would be a J11, or basically anything designed by J G Robinson. With the Midland engines designed by Johnson as my unbiased neutral choice. But I think Edwardian engines in general were incredibly handsome. To my mind the more modern engines tend to be impressive (at best) rather than beautiful. I think it has something to do with the relative size of the boiler and the consequent reduced ability to fit seemly boiler mountings.

 

But as I said, it's a deeply subjective thing...

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