class 37 has a superb RA ...it can go literally anywhere on the network, hence they are still a survivor on the Network..network rail use em...same as 31s, 20's
Class 50 - Nice Locos - love looking at them as they are imposing, they say look at me...were they ever placed in Inter city executive paint ?? I dont recall it being done...
Personally The 31 is my favourite hauler...small, friendly bits of kit, that once upon a time did most of the trip work, P-way trains, a hero that is forgotten...
as said class 47 was hated by the gricers as the fleet went everywhere on the network...not a bad bit of kit, they are still a performer, and its great to see hear and see one..
Class 59 became popular because of their tiny fleet, but because it was a specialist private fleet it was very well looked after...and hardly ever failed....even now...
The last of the BR fleets - the 60, Good lumps of metal with lots of grunt at the rail....they had lots of bedding in issues...once sorted...nothing could touch em
The new breeds -the 66, 67, 70, at the moment they are not liked...because of the same disfavour gricers had with class 47, When the 66 fleet winds down in 20/30 years they will become loved....
If you recall Ed Burkhardt had when he took on british freight a large fleet of knackered locos and wagons...he found a supplier that could give him a solution - a lower powered version of the 59...what choice did he have...spend Millions overhauling a life expired fleet or for half the cost of an overhaul buy a new one...I know what id do Buy a new one..
FACT - it was cheaper for Intercity to operate one HST from euston to Holyhead than to have a 47 swapped on to the head of the service at Crewe...thats the economics of the job
Finally GE class 70....Personal opinion...they look BIG...out of place on british Steelwork....they have plenty of Grunt at rail head..so they will continue to be workers, and will I suspect become a serious player..they have some issues with wanting to be Kettles....this will be sorted...I recall Class 55 sometimes have the ability to want to be Kettles...I like em as they are amercian built...and they have the old ww2 YANKS ARE HERE look to em..
Things have also changed with engines..they are more efficient...no longer simple idiesel njected lumps of grunt powering an alternator, they are cleaner, quieter, (drivers will disagree when driving at the wrong end of a 66) things have to change...
purely my opinions