Best looking loco (ex6201 Lizzie overhaul thread)

Fully agree, I'd say Castles all day long, but I've said before I have a sneeking admiration for a D in Chatham livery, just reeks Victorian elegance.

 

Got to agree re the B12 - it even shades the B17 for sheer elegance in the 4-6-0 class

 

At the risk of going somewhat OT: did the GER (and then parts of the LNER after them) use head code discs during daytime, rather than lamps? And if they did, did they indicate routes, Southern-style, or train classifications, as elsewhere?

Tom

 

The B17 is a locomotive which should look good - it has all the right ingredients, but neither the group standard nor the GER tender variants really make the B17 look quite as elegant as the B12/3. The latter tender choice makes it look a bit awkward and stumpy in my view.

Controversial, but I think the B2 rebuild with the Raven tender looks very purposeful, more handsome with the high shoulders than the Gresley A1 look of the front end of the B17 (NBL used the A1 as a basis and several standard parts were incorporated into the B17 after all, so the family lineage is evident).

They did use discs during the daytime on the GE region - purely for train classifications.

 

Here's a summary of all the locos nominated for good looks on this thread so far:

UK loco classes still in existence:-

GWR 14xx (2 nominations)
GWR 28xx
GWR Saint
GWR City
GWR 43xx
GWR Star
GWR Castle (4 nominations)
LSWR T3 (3 nominations)
LSWR T9 (2 nominations)
LSWR 0415 class Radial Tank
SECR D class (4 nominations)
SECR N
LBSCR Gladstone
SR N15
SR Unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific
LNWR "Jumbo" (Hardwicke)
MR Johnson 4-2-2 (3 nominations)
LMS Black Five
LMS Jubilee (3 nominations)
LMS Princess Royal (2 nominations counting someone on the thread from which this was separated)
LMS Princess Cornonation (4 nominations)
LMS Rebuilt Royal Scot
LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0
LMS Ivatt 2-6-2T
GNR Stirling Single (3 nominations)
GER original A1 Pacific (2 nominations)
GER J17
LNER Thompson A2/2 pacifics
LNER A3 in final BR condition with smoke deflectors (2 nominations)
LNER A4
LNER B1 (2 nominations)
LNER B12 and B12/3 (7 nominations)
LNER K4
LNER V2
BR 80xxx 2-6-4T (2 nominations)
BR 82xxx 2-6-2T

Other extant classes

German 01 class pacific
German 10 class pacific
German 18-201
US Norfolk & Western J Class
CIE "Queen" 4-6-0
US S160 (Not a serious suggestion!)

Classes no longer in existence

GWR Dean single
LBSC J1 4-6-2T
LBSC Baltic/N15X
MR Johnson 4-4-0
Caledonian Pickersgill 4-6-0
Caledonian "Cardean"
Caledonian Smellie "Big Bogie"
GCR "Jersey Lily " Atlantic
GER "Super Claud"
LNER J39

Conclusion: It's a very subjective issue, but there are clearly a lot of good-looking locos around.

 

We'll have to differ on the B17/B2, I prefer the B17 front end of the two. Oddly, I'd prefer the B1 against the B2 - the smaller wheels seem more in proportion for the long level running plate. Each to their own

 

Personally speaking, I think the B3/3 is the best looking of all of the Thompson 4-6-0s. Even Freddie Harrison liked that one - called her a "beauty" according to several sources.



Not too clean here, but in the fully lined LNER livery, I think the 6ft 9in wheels and big shouldered look look rather awesome. GCR bufferbeam style, dome and tender make for a really purposeful looking beast too. She was well liked by crews but when the frames failed beyond economic repair, the boiler (retaining the flatter dome) and tender went into the spares pool.



I've been working on a model of it for some time too, strangely enough. Really should just finish the damn thing and be done with it.

 

If you wish to learn more try these :
http://www.gersociety.org.uk/index.php/locomotives/information-leaflets/headcodes-part-1
http://www.gersociety.org.uk/index.php/locomotives/information-leaflets/headcodes-part-2

 

If you're adding up the scores then you can add me into the B12/3 extant and Claude or Super Claude (preferably Belpare firebox version of either) defunct totals. There's a lot to admire out there though...as well as the obvious Gresley stable, Stanier's products look great, as do the SECR locos mentioned in this thread and I'll even admit that GWR 4-6-0s do just look right

 

If we're adding pictures of our favourites here's the S&D variant of the Johnson small 4-4-0:



and the large wheeled Midland one:

 

Is that a A2/2 at the top?

 

Yes, its an A2/2

 

But I prefer the GNR tender, just visible, behind which Wolf of B is coupled!

Without referring to my sources, this A2/2 retained its original boiler, so that the safety valves are incorporated into the full V-fronted cab roof, and the footplate does not intrude into the line of the firebox (to access front lower washout plug). (There may have been others.)

 

In my defence I wasn't feeling great when I posted that as I was recovering from a nasty stomach bug I picked up. I missed off the BR class Fives and my beloved A4's. I also think the BR class 4 75xxx's with double chimneys are fine looking loco's as are the GWR large Prairies.

 

Yes, I rather like Thompson's A2/2. The long smokebox and longer wheelbase really gives these classes a sort of purposeful look. I know they're not going to win beauty contests, but they have character. The A2/3 was based directly on the A2/2 and was effectively a "debugged" Pacific. Much better thought of than the original rebuilt P2s. The A2/1s were nothing special but 60508 was well thought of and much photographed.

I really rather like Great Northern as rebuilt, with the short cab and without smoke deflectors too, in the GER styled livery. There's a shot in Peter Grafton's book on Edward Thompson of 4470 from the rear three quarter view, and I think that shows off her lines much better than the oft-publicised front 3/4 view.

Each to their own, of course, but I do rather like Thompson's locomotive designs. The B12/3 (which I rather feel I've championed) is my top choice though.

 

Anybody seen the photo of Kirtley 158A in this months Steam Railway? Now that looks impressive!

 

It is nice having the b1 out and about pretty looking locomotive Mayflower is.

I have been thinking of the stirlimg as one of the most elegant of its day

 

As a new (norwegian) member to this forum ,I find this thread very interesting.

Design and the "look" of a steam locomotive interest me a lot more than the technical site (even of course that is fascinating.)
I`m very "omnivorous" regarding taste ,so i find it very difficult to choose one particular best looking engine , simply because I like them all! From the Russian P36 to the South african class 16E ,every locomotive have their different look and style (wich make my passion for steam locomotives interesting and joyful.)

In my taste ,UK have largest collection of beautiful engines. Probably my favorite is "Tornado" (class A1) but I also love the GWR "Castle class ", the rebuilt "Royal Scot". The LMS "Duchess" ,and I can continue for hours...

But, if I have to choose one particular steam locomotive , I think my first place will go the stunning, french masterpice from Marc De Caso, the legendary 232U1!


Kind regards

Knut

 

Gets my vote. A design that managed to combine elegance with outside valve gear.

The cut-down fittings somehow spoiled the A1's proportions. Same applies to the cut-down 6024 today.