A lot of people have been talking about best looking diesels and electrics already. Now it's time for the most elaborate steam engines: the streamliners. They represent some of the most elegant, colorful, creative, or downright mind boggling designs of the steam era.
5. C&NW E-4 Class Hudsons: While not the most famous nor the most colorful, they were nothing short of spotlight stealing and earned a good reputation as fast and reliable performers. They had an awesome futuristic look and had great elaborate details from the striping to the MARS light. MTH's Premier models are as equally impressive.
4. Chesapeake & Ohio Streamlined L-1 Yellowbelly Hudson: Not enough steam engines were yellow, let alone lemon yellow. The unique colors on the engine are really the factor that puts it on my list. It's just a great looking combination and this Hudson is one of the few streamliners that are still around today for us to appreciate. The Lionel model has become a sort of modern classic to boot.
3. New York Central Empire State Express J3A Hudson: I know a lot of people prefer the Dreyfuss with its Roman Sentinel helmet design, but the colors on the Empire State Express are much more eye candy to me than the flat grays on the Dreyfuss Hudson. Plus those classy disc drivers are always good looking. MTH seems to make the best versions of these engines.
2. Milwaukee Road Atlantic and Hudson Hiawathas: I couldn't really decide between the two types, both are equally handsome to me. There's just something about their cowling that combines with their colors that makes them impressive. Both Lionel and MTH have made great models of both.
1. Southern Pacific GS-4 Daylight Northern: Yep, I can't put the Southern Pacific's Daylight anywhere else but number 1! They remain one of the most gorgeous, colorful trains in the world, and the engines themselves were great operators. The GS-4 especially ranks high with its MARS light and added enhancements over its predecessors, and the fact that one of them is still in operation. Out of all the ones I've seen, Lionel's newest Legacy version is by far the best out there.
