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Best Looking Diesel Loco

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ChrisCooper

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Really, it's hard to class a 43 as a locomotive, since they are only capable of independantly travelling in one direction, and can only couple to stock at one end, they are linked to the train by a standard corridor connection, and contain a guard/luggage compartment. The prototypes on the other hand were much more loco like, since they had a cab and full drawgear at both ends, so could have worked as a conventional loco, just like a 91 can. The same sort of issue applies to the likes of the Eurostar and TGV powercars. Nobody would class them as a loco, but there is little difference between one and a HST powercar. The only real difference with the HST powercars that makes them loco like is that they are numbered as locos, and they are not kept as fixed formation with the rest of the stock, wheras Eurostar and TGV powercars will be mostly kept with one set, although temporary swaps are made when a powercar needs maintenance.
As for the best looking diesel locos, it would be a close one between the 60s and the none gangwayed 37s (gangways on anything spoiled the looks IMHO), with an honerable mention for the none gangwayed 25s.
 
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Crompton Karl

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However, it has to be said that a HST can rescue another loco or even a train when it needs to, remember the FGW Sleeper service a while ago headed by a twin power car?

Karl :)
 

16CSVT2700

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However, it has to be said that a HST can rescue another loco or even a train when it needs to, remember the FGW Sleeper service a while ago headed by a twin power car?

Karl :)
However the emergency drawbar is exactly that, for emergency purposes only and for a loco such as a 37 to drag it to a safe place to swap PCs/detrain pax. It was never intended to allow 2 PCs back to back to haul a dead 57 plus 6.

They can, but they're not supposed to.

My vote's for 50s, 40s, 20s and 25s.
 

Crompton Karl

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I totally agree with you, they weren't intended to haul anything other than Mk3 Coaches. However, i was just making the point that when push comes to shove they do have a little more capability than others give them credit for, also playing a little Devils Advocate too :D

Karl :)
 

ChrisCooper

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Then again, a Mk1 EMU could haul a set of coaches, particularly something like a REP (they were designed to haul 8 coach trailer units anyway), and wouldn't even need an adapter coupling, only an adaption for the brake pipes (since the high level pipes on an EMU couldn't connect directly to the standard pipes on coaches). First Generation DMUs have been used to haul coaches aswell, with the Parcels units being specifically designed to pull parcels vans (the 127s converted to Parcel use could also haul stock). The problem with those those is lack of power in most cases, and that they are vacume braked. More modern units couldn't manage it due to not only needing adapter couplings but also having incompatable brakes. None of them would be classed as locos though. I'm sure it's feasable for a pair of Eurostar or TGV powercars to couple back to back and pull a train aswell, with an adapter coupling.
 

mbonwick

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Well..there's no accounting for taste I suppose!


(Not that I'm saying your taste is bad ;))
 

Crompton Karl

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The 50's were a close second for me. Happy days thrashing along the SW mainline with a class 50 and 8 MkII's behind, quick someone give me a Tardis i want to get back to my youth! :lol:

Karl :)
 

mbonwick

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Am I bovvered?

ANyway, you think I'm dirty, you haven't seen some of the people I know have you?
 

Nick W

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Class 43, designed for passengers and possible high speed freight. Some had buffers but that spoilt the design.

Otherwise class 50 in br blue with large logo.
 

Nick

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Class 25 (later body design)
Followed by Spoooooooooooooooooooons
 

experts

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Best looking class is the Class 37 Tractor in a decent livery, such as Load Haul, Railfreight or Intercity. None of those poncey HST crap.
 

Broken Viking

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Hail All! <D
Apologies for digging up an old thread, but as a self-confessed DieselHead I just couldn't resist! :D

Anyhow...Train-wise, it's hard to beat the sight and sound of a Class 43 going totally Hellfire! <D
Same for 158s and 159s if you'd count DMUs too! 8)

On the side-subject of DMUs: The usual rake on a 370 included four Diesel engines - Valentas possibly - Although these weren't normally used for traction purposes. Could this class it as a DEMU though? :)

And for total comedy value: Nothing is funnier than seeing a Disastro being towed by a 50! :lol:

Farewell... <D
>> Death <<
 

Daniel

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Class 43

1). In Midland Mainline livery, because it looks good!
2). In GNER livery, because it looks smart!
 
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