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?
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.[:)]
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 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]!
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
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.
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…
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!)
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!!
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
My dads old car (thats kept in a heated garage), a 76 Dodge something [8D]
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
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).
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]
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!
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
…Resembles a Nomad. Wrap around windshield and slanted {forward}, windows along the sides…
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
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]