A letter to Atlas

[Greyryder]

Weren't all the old (and elegant looking) E, F, and lots of other similar locos all wide cabs too? 

As I'm not the fan of those things that most people seem to be, I'll just say "Yes. Yes, they are."

[peteski]

As I'm not the fan of those things that most people seem to be, I'll just say "Yes. Yes, they are."

Ok then, what locos do you find elegant or esthetically pleasing?

[Greyryder]

I don't know about elegant, but I love old freight diesels, with high short hoods. Most people probably think they're ugly, but I like 'em.

[basementcalling]

Code 55 turnouts would be elegant.

That cab is vaguely reminiscent of the GP 30 cab to me with the thickness above the cab roof, but it is an ugly duckling. A curving front surface to truly be a crescent shape would have been more elegant.  Paint schemes aren't exactly taking advantage of the thing either. What functional purpose does it serve, BTW?

Looks like they could use some of Ed's new etchings to detail that sucker though. No dimples for grab iron placement, but I wonder if they used a jig to get such even holes.

[peteski]

I don't know about elegant, but I love old freight diesels, with high short hoods. Most people probably think they're ugly, but I like 'em.

So you prefer the simple, blocky, utalitarian industrial look.  You're not into sweeping lines, streamlining or elegance.  Not into those pretty passenger trains where the paint scheme of consist matches the pretty sleek locomotive up front.

[Rich_S]

So you prefer the simple, blocky, utalitarian industrial look.  You're not into sweeping lines, streamlining or elegance.  Not into those pretty passenger trains where the paint scheme of consist matches the pretty sleek locomotive up front.

I'll second Greyryder response. I like the brutish look of a high short hood SD45 running long hood forward. In second place is the SD40-2 and GP38-2, both with high short hoods running long hood forward. Yes I like the pretty Amtrak passenger trains with the SDP40F or F40PH leading a string of matching Amtrak passenger cars. I'll take the Amtrak equipment anyday over worn out PC F7's with faded green passenger coaches and non existent steam heat. But like the old saying, beauty is in the eye of the beholder as some people think the rainbow trains of the late 60's and early 70's are the best

[bman]

Kinda be interesting to see which manufacturer will toss one of the newer cabs NS and CSX are using onto a N scale offering.  Or will it be strictly a Shapeways or something similar project? 

[Hamaker]

In my opinion, the E and F series were the most beautiful and elegant locomotives ever built ! My Santa Fe Super Chief consist is my favorite. But I even liked them on freight trains

[Greyryder]

So you prefer the simple, blocky, utalitarian industrial look.  You're not into sweeping lines, streamlining or elegance.  Not into those pretty passenger trains where the paint scheme of consist matches the pretty sleek locomotive up front.

Yes I do. Even better, when they're rusty and covered in grime.

Rich_S; Stop man, I'm gonna have to take a cold shower.

[basementcalling]

So some like this one.



I prefer this one.



Alco PA-1s are still the best looking diesel engine ever.

Companies that ran their high hoods backwards were hiding those ugly critters like an actress with a botched nose job.   

SD40-2s appeal to me because of the symmetry of the porches, and I do have a weakness for flared radiators, ala the SD45, but most modern muscle power is too utilitarian to be classic.

[primavw]

SD40-2s appeal to me because of the symmetry of the porches, and I do have a weakness for flared radiators, ala the SD45, but most modern muscle power is too utilitarian to be classic.

While I agree with you about Alco's, E's and F's, SD40-2's and flared rads, I'd hafta say the SD70M-2 has a blend of utilitarian and modern that makes it look sleak yet intimidating which I think has the makings of a classic...



Of course the black makes it look almost Darth Vader-ish.