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What do you guys like when it comes to engines? Do you like the fresh paint, or straight up clean units? Or are you like me and you like the worn, torn, beat to hell, ratty looking engines?

Somewhere inbetween the two extremes you gave, Y@.

I prefer dark colored engines to bright or fancy colored ones. IMO dark gives engines a bold and no-nonsense look.

Fresh and clean paint is obviously more esthetically pleasing (and the preference of this observer). It's real hit-or-miss on CSX although it's getting better. If I hear an older EMD or GEVO leading then there's a pretty good chance it'll be looking spiffy in YN3, although some older EMDs have yet to be dipped.

If I hear a three-digit, 9000 or 7000, then there's a pretty good chance I'll cringe because it'll be all ratty and beat-to-hell looking (I call them "Fade-a-Boats"). Although lately I've been seeing a few engines in those classes in YN3 and they look darn good and I can't wait for the rest to look that way.

An exception to these are the 4700-class SD70MACs, whose paint seem to have faded. And not to mention their horns are god-awful (I do video so nice-sounding horns are important).

Most NS units are relatively clean with the exception of those "Tophat" C40-9s or any still blue ex-Conrail. (an SD60M in black looks and sounds plain mean and awesome) And although I find a pair of NS "catfish" the most boring power in use today, very few look dirty and weathered, even though some are more than 10 years old and have a lot of miles on them.

Y@ wrote:What do you guys like when it comes to engines? Do you like the fresh paint, or straight up clean units? Or are you like me and you like the worn, torn, beat to hell, ratty looking engines?

There's nothing worse than a CSX YN2 widecab that's covered in rust streaks and has random tubes sticking out the side of it like a monster.

I like the older CP engines that have the relatively decent paint left, especially the ones with the multimark.
Ever notice how the newer CP Rail System engines from the mid-1990's are sometimes so crappy looking that you can hardly see the logo?? What kind of cheap paint job did those get.

Freshly painted in Old Gold and Blue is best (should have thought to put the
image of a Mountaineer on 'em.)

Will never see that again.

They sure look nice new...

(CSX GEVO's):

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=242725

(CSX Rebuilt SD50):

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=309360

(BNSF GEVO's):

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=318059

I like reasonably clean but hate filthy dirty (think late SP!)

I like paint in good condition but don't like faded, flaking ratty looking paint although I'll make exceptions for really unusual stuff like prior paint schemes fading through or some things like that, but lets face it, BNSF "peach bonnets" just look like crap.

Michael

MDH wrote: (CSX Rebuilt SD50):

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=309360

Michael

I didn't know 8510 (the trailing unit in the picture) got repainted. They probably swapped the horn on it as well.

Anything thats not a Genset

Anything that's NOT a GE

GTW4633 wrote:Anything thats not a Genset

IMO they don't look so bad when they use EMD trucks / tanks / frames.

Just like I like rolling stock...patched and dirty.

I like super fresh paint the best, especially on BNSF Gevos. But, my second favorite is the old beat up, paint peeling locomotives.

Fresh paint is a plus when its new or rebuilt, otherwise if it looks like crap its has a little thing called character! Especially when ATSF, CNW, or SP are involved

I must be weird, I've never seen a North American locomotive that I thought was ugly. I like everything! I do prefer clean units with fresh paint, though.

Any thing made before the 1980's.

I never gave much thought to the locomotive. I just use the train as a prop.

Loyd L.

Lately ive liked it when the units have matching paint.

Speaking of fresh paint, I saw for the first time a CSX 9000-class C44-9W in YN3.

Hmm favorite Engine looks. well from a rail fan stand point I love the Soo Line SD60'S and all the older rent a wrecks mixed and matched on Soo Line Freights. From a conductors stand point got to say love the new "Beaver-boats" course I love to see the older "beaver-boats" with all the burned paint marks and peeling lettering. but I guess I'm alll over the board as far as engines and paint schemes. I feel consist can look good if either all the engine's are the same scheme or if the engines are a rainbow of color.