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classictrains — Ugly?
by-nc-nd
Published: 2007-02-06 03:52:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 2034; Favourites: 38; Downloads: 77
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Description
Somewhere along the way the Santa Fe came to realize that the aging F-unit fleet just wasn't up to the reliability needs of long distance passenger service. I don't have the full story but somebody decided to put a cowl body over the side walkways on a freight style unit (GE U30) and to try and preserve the original lines of the fluted side passenger cars.Ugly on May 5, 1968 in Chicago. Another shot a few years earlier in 1965
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Comments: 35
These were also used in San Diegan service, but the F's still ruled after the PA's were retired. Not real successful and were repainted in freight scheme soon after Amtrak. You would have thought Amtrak might have wanted to use these in the interim since they were somewhat new.
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Well, because except for the fact that this has a walkway across the nose, the body lines are somewhat similar.
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Yup. It's the Pug Ugly "Pooch". I'm thinking they should have just left the loco in its original configuration.
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That ain't no P30CH. It's a U30CG.
Gosh, why does everybody think that it's a Pooch?
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Indeed an odd-looking diesel it is.
Now how would anyone think of odd locomotive designs, anyway?
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Aww the Ducky always had a fondness of the F-units As I said, I have never seen an F-Unit in running condition and the one the Railroad I volunteered for, the F-Unit was just placed on an old abandoned part of the railroad, tis almost a reminder of the past
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There's someone for everyone; I'm sure *someone* thinks they look nice.
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The original idea for the Hummer H2 has been discovered.... and here it is.
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Just my opinion of course... lol. My impression was that they were going for the cheapest possible streamliner appearance.
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Pardon, not as sleek at the FP45's.
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Hmm, this is a hard one... While not exactly beautiful, it's not really ugly compared to what one sees nowadays, but it might be because the engines from the GDR we've still got around often have these fluted sides, though for structural reasons. Still, it can't beat an F unit as far as looks are concerned, that's for sure
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I thought about this title for a long time before I decided, like Matt, to cause a little dissent and discussion. It originally started out to be "Unique." (Do note the question mark.)
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Pretty interesting attempt to make a freight unit resemble passenger power.
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I have to say, that to me, they are no more ugly than any other diesel or electric. To me, if it isn't steam, or an oddball like the Doodlebugs etc., then I'm afraid it has to be ugly LOL
There are some modern units that are streamlined and do have a semblance of good looks, but beauty is still in the living steam engines.
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I understand that view completely. Steam engines do seem to be alive... breathing. Diesels seem so passive... until you get a chance to ride in one and feel the tracks and the same power under your feet.
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I have Chris. In a Deltic of all locomotives (the UKs most powerful diesel loco), and it wasn't just in the cab, but also walking through the engine compartment whilst under way (sorry, I should have said trying to walk through the engine compartment LOL). Yes, I could feel the power, but, sorry, it still didn't have the same living feeling as being on even a small NCB 0-6-0 tank engine when under way.
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Note the interrogative... I was asking... not telling.
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and i answered, yes i think it is ugly... and why didnt anyone notice the weird look before they put them out on the rail?
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Ugly? UGLY?! I LOVE the U30CG's! I should make a fan club. I'm not even sure if there are any left...after all, there were only five of them...*cringes*
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The more I look at these two shots, the more it makes me think of the F40PHs we have today (the cabbage units). You gotta realize how close the two are in styling.
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Ahh... that's why when I was scanning these I had deja vu!
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I think it would have been better looking with smooth sides (like an F). That ribbing which doesn't match the Budd streamlined cars at all just irks me.
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yeah, it would of looked better smooth then ribbined.
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It's certainly not quite the beauty of the Q's E5's, but I'll give the designers A+ for effort! The nose actually has some curves on it, unlike the F40's which were 100% planar surfaces...
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The U28CG was a lot better looking than the U30s. If it wasn't for the beautiful Warbonnet paint, these things would be ugly enough to make you claw your own eyes out.
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Ah yep, the P30CH I believe? Some repainted into Amtrak colors. Yes Chris, I like these too.
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Wow. I never thought I'd see U-boats in sleek carbodies like these.
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I never ever saw another one and the Santa Fe bought 6. Originally numbered 400-405, later they became 8000-8005. I never got a picture of them with their new numbers.
...and thanks for the fav!
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