Back in the mid-'90’s, some co-workders and I were standing around the office one day discussing sports. One of my co-workers brought up that two of her brothers had recently had a very lengthy discussion on who they thought was the “ugliest person in baseball”. After much debate, the brothers finally concluded that the award should be equally shared by two players on the Seattle Mariners. (I’ll let you make your own guesses as to who they might be.)
Anyhow, if you had to nominate one (1) locomotive for the RR Hall of Shame, which one would it be? I like and model the New York Central. But, if I were to pick one - hands down - it would have to be the 1956 NYC EMD “Aerotrain”:
front end
back end
[xx(] Ouch! Makes me wince just to look at it.
Anyone have a worthy contender that they would like to include?
Oh, come on now! I loved the Aerotrain’s styling. To me, its one of those designs that look like they are moving 100 mph even when they are standing still.
It definitely has (had) more class than Amtrak’s Acela!
As for the Kraus-Maffei diesel hydraulics, I like them too. (What can I say, I have a thing for “turret” cabs). However, the “road switcher” body version of the Kraus-Maffei has to be the ugliest locomotive ever to ply the rails of North America.
Jeesh, I can’t say that I think any locomotive should deserve to be in the “Hall of Shame.” I like the unusual, odd, bizarre, and otherwise rejected locomotives.[:D][8D][:p][;)] Just like the AeroTrain, and the Q1 switcher listed above.[8D]
I was just joking about the Warbonnet F7s. Those are some of the best looking diesels ever![:D]
Now being serious, I don’t like European steamers.(like the German ones Marklin makes) Something about the design on those along with the red and black paint just make me think, “that’s ugly”.
Hey!.. What’s a matter for you ?. Why you no like em SF Warbonnet ?.
Seriously. I try not to look at locos that way, and appreciate all trains for what they are. What might be gastly and ugly to one guy might be beautiful to the next. So, out of respect to trains and train lovers everywhere, I’ll leave it at that.
I can undesratnd why you would think the Aerotrain was ugly. It’s not the train. That big Keystone is clouding you judgement but once you come to the light (PRR) you will see it in all its beauty!
Just kidding, I had to aggrivate 8500HPGASTURBINE and Scott a little bit. My vote would probably go toward the DD40’s. Why is it UP and SP always had the rarities?
