I would love to see someone like EMD come up with a modern version of the Pioneer Zephyr locomotive. I think it would look great pulling the new Talgo sets for whomever gets them in the midwest.
Well, if you’re looking for modern Shovel-Nose-On-Steriods locomotives…
You do realize many modern passenger locomotives do have a slanted front end similiar to the early Zephyrs (which admittedly look pretty cool), within the constraints required for collision protection:
Yes, not as ornate as the original GMs, but consider the direction GM ended up going (the Bulldog nose cabs of many models of E & F units - not really the sloped flat front you’re probably looking for).
Old-Skool Zephyr for comparison (and no, I’m not posting an E or F unit, you guys can handle that).
Shovel-noses were not that uncommon in that era, especially with St. Louis Car-built carbodies such as the Electroliners and various motor cars such as SAL 2027-2028, various FM-powered cars on Southern, etc. They don’t provide a lot of collision protection, though.
As amply proven by the replacement cab and nose on 9900 after a 1939 collision with a freight train.
Someone say shovel nose?
SHOVEL nose, not CHISEL nose!
Incidentally, did anyone notice that both the RENFE and Shinkansen examples are MU cars, not locomotives? When you can put a traction motor on every axle, who needs a locomotive?
Almost hate to say this, but the Zephyr and its steam contemporaries have always reminded me of inverted bathtubs. OTOH the original Shinkansen and the N&W J and K2 really do look like speeding bullets - .45 caliber pistol bullets, to be specific.
Chuck
Seems to have more of a rake than the Zephyrs…