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Most of the locomotives shown or mentioned here, I would not call ugly. They may be different or unusual or just unfamiliar. Most locomotives were designed to be functional first and aesthetics were often incidental. If we didn't have the variety it would be boring.

Some countries like Russia and China produced masses of locomotives of just a few standard classes and that would be something to complain about: lack of variety. Let's be glad we have variety instead of airing arbitrary personal preferences.

When form follows function, the practicality of design is to me beauty in itself - instead of being doctored up purely for show and symbolism like the WTC station discussed recently.

If all things were "beautiful" we wouldn't have a basis for comparison to differentiate and appreciate it.

Last edited by Ace
Ace posted:

Most of the locomotives shown or mentioned here, I would not call ugly. They may be different or unusual or just unfamiliar. Most locomotives were designed to be functional first and aesthetics were often incidental. If we didn't have the variety it would be boring.

Some countries like Russia and China produced masses of locomotives of just a few standard classes and that would be something to complain about: lack of variety. Let's be glad we have variety instead of airing arbitrary personal preferences.

When form follows function, the practicality of design is to me beauty in itself - instead of being doctored up purely for show and symbolism like the WTC station discussed recently.

If all things were "beautiful" we wouldn't have a basis for comparison to differentiate and appreciate it.

Ace - well stated!!!  I could not agree more!

banelson posted:

Don't throw anything at me... But I really don't like the looks of the Big Boy for some reason.  The Allegheny, Y6b, M1, Hudsons, etc. all look gorgeous to me.  The Big Boy not so much....

Ben 

If I was good with computers I would paste a picture of someone throwing something! Can someone do this for me/us? Make it good! Maybe a 3 Stooges clip, or........?

Last edited by MattR
Ace posted:

Most of the locomotives shown or mentioned here, I would not call ugly. They may be different or unusual or just unfamiliar. Most locomotives were designed to be functional first and aesthetics were often incidental. If we didn't have the variety it would be boring.

Some countries like Russia and China produced masses of locomotives of just a few standard classes and that would be something to complain about: lack of variety. Let's be glad we have variety instead of airing arbitrary personal preferences.

When form follows function, the practicality of design is to me beauty in itself - instead of being doctored up purely for show and symbolism like the WTC station discussed recently.

If all things were "beautiful" we wouldn't have a basis for comparison to differentiate and appreciate it.

On a different note, if all things were beautiful, we wouldn't have to worry about going on a blind dates.....LOL

Last edited by Former Member

Any electric built new for Amtrak, beginning with the E-60.  The diesels aren't much better.

Amtrak's best looking power were the GG1s and Electro Motive E units inherited at its inception.

I wouldn't cross the street to look at an Acela or those hideous Siemens electrics they have now.

Honorable mention: Any high speed train in the world. They're all butt-ugly.

 

WP&Y: I lived in The Yukon for several years. Saw WP&Y locos pretty much every day. Never found anything attractive about them. Not the shape, nor the yellow and green paint.

Glad to see I am not the only one who finds almost any "streamlined" steam loco ugly. They range from OK, like CP's very mild streamlining as on the T1-b 2-10-4, to the utterly repulsive Loewy-Dreyfuss atrocities.

The GG1 is certainly iconic. I never found it the slightest bit attractive though.

The Train Master was an imposing-looking, but unsightly box.

The Alco PA: How can anyone hate these??? They are gorgeous! The E8s were prettier though.

Prettiest diesel: E8. Ugliest . . . too many to even list!

There are precious few steamers that would not be better looking if they had an Elesco FWH up on the smoke box. My favourite steamers all have Elescos!

SDIV Tim posted:

Pennsy Steamers except the 2-10-4 and the 2-8-0

I BEG YOUR PARDON!!!!!    Heresy I say... The Pennsy wasn't called the "Standard Railroad of the World" for nothin'. There is no such thing as an ugly Pennsy steamer - they did have some questionable taste in passenger cars, but that is for a different thread. If you have the Railroading Merit Badge on that sash, I think you should give it back (just kidding). Let's face it, the S1 and T1 looked fast while standing still.

Apples55 posted:
SDIV Tim posted:

Pennsy Steamers except the 2-10-4 and the 2-8-0

I BEG YOUR PARDON!!!!!    Heresy I say... The Pennsy wasn't called the "Standard Railroad of the World" for nothin'. There is no such thing as an ugly Pennsy steamer - they did have some questionable taste in passenger cars, but that is for a different thread. If you have the Railroading Merit Badge on that sash, I think you should give it back (just kidding). Let's face it, the S1 and T1 looked fast while standing still.

Please remember that you are dealing with a Southern California high school person, that has most likely NEVER even seen a main line steam locomotive at work, let alone a Pennsylvania steam locomotive at work.

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