Gallery: Ugliest Locomotives Ever Built!

[crazytiger]

I haven't ever seen a green goat in person, so I don't have an opinion, but I think that SD70M-2s are my favorite engines. I think my "ideal" train would be a long stack train (all of it double stacked) with about two or three of those in matching NS paint on the head end would rock.

P.S.: Congrats, Anthony, To24, baby!!!

[JRMDC]

Originally Posted by Chase55671

Agreed. Not sure what it is about yard switchers and other various yard engines, but I am quite fond of them. I suppose it may be the fact I don't live close to a large rail yard, thus when I do get the chance to visit one, it is a welcomed site to see something different.

Chase

Ditto!

We should meet up at a yard halfway between our respective locations.

Grafton? Don't think there are any switchers there. Not sure there are any between us. Roanoke?

[AntD.]

Originally Posted by crazytiger

P.S.: Congrats, Anthony, To24, baby!!!

Thank You! Just got home from work to see that! It's about time!

[milwman]

Originally Posted by AntD.

"THE Ugliest Locomotive Built!"




I think this one could just possibly make it!

I call it the "One Eyed" Monster!

Now we know where the guard shack is, nice

[Chase55671]

Originally Posted by JRMDC

Ditto!

We should meet up at a yard halfway between our respective locations.

Grafton? Don't think there are any switchers there. Not sure there are any between us. Roanoke?

While Grafton is a town that time forgot with some very pleasing photogenic locations, I'd say Pittsburgh is the best place for yard switching. Ironically enough, it's about the same distance from each of our locations.

Chase

[JRMDC]

Originally Posted by Chase55671

While Grafton is a town that time forgot with some very pleasing photogenic locations, I'd say Pittsburgh is the best place for yard switching. Ironically enough, it's about the same distance from each of our locations.

Chase

yeah, so are Atlanta, Buffalo, ...

I was just thinking where I might find a true switcher. There are some in Baltimore (Canton RR). Other than that, I am not sure where to go. Does Pittsburgh even have any?

[Chase55671]

Originally Posted by JRMDC

yeah, so are Atlanta, Buffalo, ...

I was just thinking where I might find a true switcher. There are some in Baltimore (Canton RR). Other than that, I am not sure where to go. Does Pittsburgh even have any?

Canton RR is an operation I'd love to photograph! I love their old switchers.

As for any other SW's in the Pittsburgh area, a quick search on the RP database turned up quite a few short lines in the area which have a handful of SW's..

Pittsburgh & Ohio Central:

PhotoID: 274678 Photograph © BurghMan

PhotoID: 193324 Photograph © Jeff McCormick

Buffalo & Pittsburgh:

PhotoID: 253990 Photograph © Kevin Ashbaugh

PhotoID: 227418 Photograph © Steve McCormick

Union Railroad:

PhotoID: 105251 Photograph © J. Alex Lang - www.jalexlang.com

Larrys Truck & Electric:

PhotoID: 159892 Photograph © John Ireland

Allegheny Railroad:

PhotoID: 149252 Photograph © Wade H. Massie

To Pittsburgh we go!

Chase

[willig]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blaszczyk (2)

Agreed (with exceptions)!

No wonder steam is so popular in the UK...

Actually these were built in North America.


I must say that it concerns me when a screener openly calls all (with some exceptions) overseas locos ugly. Perhaps it explains why I sometimes have difficulty in getting shots of UK diesels and electrics accepted, unless they're an absolutely stellar composition.

It is ridiculous to say that one finds locos from other countries ugly, it is simply a matter of what one is used to. If you were to ask railfans in Europe what they thought of post 1960s North American locos, most would say that they find them all incredibly ugly.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Do you find a female camel pretty? Perhaps not, but a male camel probably would.

I think this thread is not about people's personal prejudice, but a gallery to show ugly locos.

[milwman]

Originally Posted by willig

I think this thread is not about people's personal prejudice, but a gallery to show ugly locos.

Yep there a lot of old ones like EMD F's that are not all that great looking if you think about it, I like them but after see the Rock Inland F with the top head light casting missing and warts for number boards,well not pretty. A high nose GP9 not all that good looking, I like them but not a highlight of styling.

There is some nice ones across the pond to. I like about 50/50. Now the Germans make some nice cars but man the trains I just don't like much at all.

[lock4244]

May I nominate the AC4400/C44-9W? I f***ing hate these things, mostly because they're everywhere, but familiarity breeds contempt!

PhotoID: 286040 Photograph © Mike Lockwood

Failing that, here's another GE that is ugly... the locomotive they forgot to take out of the box.

PhotoID: 218520 Photograph © Mike Lockwood

My avatar would be what I consider one of the prettiest, BTW.

[milwman]

Originally Posted by lock4244

My avatar would be what I consider one of the prettiest, BTW.

AlCO's or MLW's are burly looking as is the new ES44AC's The cabs are getting a bit old thou, P44's whatever are not as bad as F40ph's as there a lot closer to the right hight, but not pretty at all or good looking. I am more of a E5 or E6 fan then E9, PA's looked good.

[alan-crotty]

Graham said:

"I must say that it concerns me when a screener openly calls all (with some exceptions) overseas locos ugly. Perhaps it explains why I sometimes have difficulty in getting shots of UK diesels and electrics accepted, unless they're an absolutely stellar composition."

Well said Graham, that is the view of several UK photographers I know.

It worries me too that a screener is apparently prejudice in this way.

Alan

[Wizzo]

Originally Posted by alan-crotty

Graham said:

"I must say that it concerns me when a screener openly calls all (with some exceptions) overseas locos ugly. Perhaps it explains why I sometimes have difficulty in getting shots of UK diesels and electrics accepted, unless they're an absolutely stellar composition."

Well said Graham, that is the view of several UK photographers I know.

It worries me too that a screener is apparently prejudice in this way.

Alan

Seconded - a railway photography site with global scope should rise above national preferences. It should be about.....wow, thats a good picture.

[Andrew Blaszczyk (2)]

Originally Posted by alan-crotty

Graham said:

"I must say that it concerns me when a screener openly calls all (with some exceptions) overseas locos ugly. Perhaps it explains why I sometimes have difficulty in getting shots of UK diesels and electrics accepted, unless they're an absolutely stellar composition."

Well said Graham, that is the view of several UK photographers I know.

It worries me too that a screener is apparently prejudice in this way.

Alan

No need to be concerned. I don't judge photos based on the content but rather the image as a whole. Believe me, I am sick of seeing boring photos of NS and BNSF Dash9s but would not reject a photo simply because one is leading the train if everything else stands up to the guidelines. The same is true for any UK (or foreign) photograph I screen. In fact, here is one of the last SCs I gave out:

PhotoID: 258213 Photograph © H.H González

To me, the locomotive looks exactly like those in the UK (and I know I'm very wrong) but I liked the photo as a whole. What I don't understand is what is meant by "stellar composition". I judge all photos based on composition so there is no difference in my definition of "stellar" whether the image was taken in the US or the UK.

Here is another example to prove that I am not bias of North American diesels(OR electrics)/photos:

PhotoID: 305659 Photograph © Alan-Crotty

Outstanding shot that deserved more than just an acceptance despite the less than attractive locomotives. (I do like the red/yellow scheme though!)

[Andrew Blaszczyk (2)]

Originally Posted by Wizzo

Seconded - a railway photography site with global scope should rise above national preferences. It should be about.....wow, thats a good picture.

Which is why you have the most recent foreign (diesel/non-steam) SC.

[alan-crotty]

PhotoID: 305659
Photograph © Alan-Crotty

Oh Andrew, those diesels are electrics!

The clue is the pantographs on the top

As your a colonial chap we'll let you off this time

Alan

[Andrew Blaszczyk (2)]

Originally Posted by alan-crotty

PhotoID: 305659
Photograph © Alan-Crotty

Oh Andrew, those diesels are electrics!

The clue is the pantographs on the top

As your a colonial chap we'll let you off this time

Alan

Hahaha! Corrected.

[Andrew Blaszczyk (2)]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blaszczyk (2)

Agreed (with exceptions)!

No wonder steam is so popular in the UK...

This discussion made me do a little more research on foreign locomotives and I was astounded and slightly embarrassed when I was scrolling through images and found this locomotive appealing:

PhotoID: 305962 Photograph © Dave Smith

You folks in the UK will catch on faster than the rest.

[alan-crotty]

Now let me see?

Only the colours have been changed to protect the inocent

Alan

[willig]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blaszczyk (2)

This discussion made me do a little more research on foreign locomotives and I was astounded and slightly embarrassed when I was scrolling through images and found this locomotive appealing:

You folks in the UK will catch on faster than the rest.

Do I detect a little backtracking here?

[Andrew Blaszczyk (2)]

Originally Posted by willig

Do I detect a little backtracking here?

I'm just saying sometimes a decent paint job makes all the difference in terms of aesthetics.

[Chris Z]

The ugliest loco ever I think is the Ingalls shipbuilding 4S. The GM&O ended up with this thing. No wonder only one was built. It looks like a loco ran into an old passenger car and it stayed that way.

I like a lot of European trains, but some of the locos look like buses mounted on trucks which I personally don't care for.

Chris Z.

[mark woody]

Originally Posted by lock4244

May I nominate the AC4400/C44-9W? I f***ing hate these things, mostly because they're everywhere, but familiarity breeds contempt!



Failing that, here's another GE that is ugly... the locomotive they forgot to take out of the box.



My avatar would be what I consider one of the prettiest, BTW.

I think our GE's are better looking

PhotoID: 305574 Photograph © mark woody

BTW i'm foreign and don't have any problems with the screeners or rejections,what doesn't kill you makes you stronger,[or better.] when i look back through my shots i can see an improvement.

[Peter Reading]

Shoebox on wheels anyone?

PhotoID: 281939 Photograph © Peter Reading

PhotoID: 240441 Photograph © Peter Reading

[Wizzo]

Crikey Peter, the styling on those is brutal !!