favorite locomotive builder

who is your favorite locomotive builder? emd? ge? also favorite locomotive

This has been covered over on the Classic Trains forum,but I’ll bite anyway. :slight_smile:

My favorite builder is EMD and my favorite locomotive(s) would have to be about any of the models with the 567C or 645E (in all it’s variants)engines.SD40-2’s are a big favorite along with the F45 and SW1500,among others(especially if they were painted GN Big Sky Blue).

Have a good one.

Bill B

Like so many enthusiasts, I’ve long been an Alco fan, in part because they were a minority builder and in part because I grew up along the C&WI mainline, featuring EL (PA’s, RS3’s, C424/425’s), Monon (C420’s, RS2’s) and BRC transfers (RS2’s, C424’s).

Having said that, I’ll proceed to raise a few eyebrows and state my preference for the niche builders, MK/MPI/Boise, Railpower and NRE (gen-sets only). They aren’t that common and they do have a distinct appearance.

I always thought Alco made the better-looking first-generation diesels (except switchers–I preferred EMD there).

As for steam, Lima built the Cadillacs–no contest there.

Notice I’m staying far, far away from operating characteristics.

EMD’s model F45

I really cant pick a favorite builder, just favorite models

ALCO RS-3, most of the Century series
EMD GP7, SD9, F7, SD40
GE Dash 8s and 9s, 44 tonners

My favorite loco to look at - Alco RS3 and C424/425.

My favorite loco to run - EMD GP38-2 with dual clasp brakes.

Nick

Alco - Challenger/Northern/Big Boy

GE - Dash8 widecab / Dash 9 / AC4400

EMD - SD40-2/SD70ACe

Swindon; watching these magnificant locomotives in 1959 made a steam fan out of this American.Steam disappeared too soon in the states. Thanks GWR and Swindon.

EMD will always be my favorite. ALCO is before my time, so i dont really have much love for them. not much of a steam guy either.

my favorite EMD models are the GP60, SD60, SD45, SD70, SD70M, SD40, and SD40-2
but i like seeing almost any EMD unit. as long as it isnt an SD60M, SD60Mu, SD60F, SD50F, or SD40-2F. words cannot describe my hatred for draper tapers

but i do like GEs too. the dash 8s and dash 9s

EMD.

GP60, GP40-2, GP38-2 (love the chugging on acceleration)

SD40-2, SD45, SD70ACe

Covered Wagons

the odd SD7/SD9

I love the sound of the 645E3 turbo. I came to appreciate that sound, growing up near the now-BNSF transcon in Flagstaff, where ATSF SD40-2s were common.

Ever hear of a place called Roanoke?[:)]

As far as production of Gross Ton Miles per Train Hour per Dollar, Lima never beat their products.

And no, the Allegheny was NOT Lima’s finest. If Lima had a finest, it was probably the 2-10-4s it built for C&O.

Ol’ Ed

Hello all, my name is SRT-MP6.7. I railfan the State Railway of Thailand. My favourite loco builder is Alsthom (now Alstom) and GE and my favourite locos are

  1. Alsthom AD2400i, 2400Hp from Pielstick PA4V16. These loco are true workhorse of SRT in many duties such as long haul passenger, commuter service, freight, road switching chores and yard duties.

  1. GE UM12C 1320Hp from 2 Cummins KT38L. He may look old and frail but he’s one tough loco with 40+ years of service with SRT in many duties. Sometime, you may see him lending a hand helping his younger brother, CM22-7i, tackle a tough grade.

F. M. Trainmaster. GE.

Welcome aboard, SRT-MP6.7. Nice pictures.

EMD, ALCO, BLW and Fairbanks

EMD. GP38-2.

[#ditto]

EMD SD40-2’s hands down… Love the sound, and the look…

Alco RS-3… it’s a cool looking loco (even if it is before my time)

GE AC4400’s … and for some reason GE C40-8’s

EMD SD-40, truely the best profile of any diesel, they scream power, speed.

SD90MAC/ AC6000, truely awesome to run.

Alco, in a landslide. The best Alco? A Lehigh Valley PA, followed by an LV C420 and their RS11s.

My favorite modern era Locomotive manufacturer is General Electric. I freakin love the Dash 9.