We have a thread on the ugliest trains, so I thought I would start a thread on the most attractive (All images from Google)
Source: bahnbilder.de Too bad you can´t hear the sound. This would be the only day one purchase I´ve ever done if she makes it to TSW.
Number 1 and 3 I firmly agree with but the other three should belong in the ugliest thread personally. I can't decide on one so my top 3 in no particular order would be: NOTE: The livery they are painted in in the pictures is the way I think they look most attractive.
I was going to with LNER but my theory was that by the end the livery was becoming very deteriorated and not looking quite as snazzy. FGW is probably one of the worse in my view along with East Coast livery. The only good FGW livery is the rebranded GWR green one.
No way I have just read that! I mean it's better that FGW and EC but the best I just can't agree with.
I get why people liked them but when I was bashing 218s I always stayed away from 232s as I thought they were ugly and sounded horrid.
Yes I think they look lovely in blue and yellow, and even swallow just not executive. They are lovely but I'd say GNER, LNER, BR Blue and yellow and then Swallow. That just scares me!
Good we need this for balance! I'm all about the aesthetics. Deffo the 91, I'm gonna heap a load on this pile, starting with BR multiple units. Class 460 Juniper. I'll start with a controversial item, they look gaudy, awkward, swept back face is too long, fraught with teething pains but I can't help but find a soft spot for them. Breaking the mould with sharp, flamboyant, European fairings they're still recognizably British with modern emu features amongst a fairly conventional GX fleet. Plus the luggage van with shutter doors are always a bonus in my book. It's stand out, but say you placed the head lamp in the centre under the window, that would ruin it. Even though I like the red roof GX livery, I would also be curious to see different liveries adapted to it. Class 442. Just cause someone threw this in the ugly pile I'll throw it in the handsome pile, the old GX livery is just perfection on this unit and the stubby pudgy gangway face has a stylish functional charm to it, especially with the wrap-around windows, calling back to the 309s. Class 415/ 4-EPB. Most if not all of the Mk 1 emu's & dmu's are handsome in their own way, with stable conventional design, but there's something more about the 415. 3 evenly spaced small window panes on the front, giving the broad yellow face a grand appeal. Plus with no overhang from the roof it's almost as if a carriage has been sliced revealing a tasty smooth yellow centre. Not to mention the sporty NSE livery suits it so well, bringing an old unit forward, making those carriages look even longer as it streams past. Mk2 DBSO. I have a soft spot for cab cars, especially if they compliment the carriages they serve, it's like something to look forward to as a loco hauled train flies past. This is one is like an updated spin on classic carriage based units and all I could've hoped for is a Mk3 & 4 version or even a full Mk2 emu. Mk3 DVT/Class 82. Carrying on the theme, though I appreciate how they changed the dynamic to have the control van resemble the locos at the other end, more so for the Mk3 as it just looks tidier than the Mk4. It suits most liveries but the pretty ONE Anglia livery makes the swept front pop, with extra props to the black bands. Class 180. A prime example of how to achieve a slick back look with barely any sharp edges, pleasantly smooths back into the long body, love it, and the lights in tandem with the windows adds motion to it, like a super car of sorts. Saw one of these versions once, it was like when you see a flash car going down the street, seems odd and you can't help but stare at this presence. Though do I think the wide face needs to be taken advantage of, like with the elegant 'Barbie' First livery, EMR & Grand Central reduce it to the window width, ruining the effect. Class 175. I can't quite put my finger on this one, it just looks right to me, the long haul door & window layout elongating it, the stout face with mild streamlining, modest light & front window arrangement, the bulky chin sweep adding more heft, it looks functional with some grace. Plus the Arriva livery was made for this unit, it just doesn't suit anything else besides the new TfW motif. Class 458/0. Carrying on the Alstom theme, again this is another weird one I can't help but like, it's got flourish but can't hide the flat utility look to it, plus it's strange that a fully functioning gangway wouldn't have the usual trim around the door, as if it's trying to achieve a full unobstructed face. The SWT livery compliments it rather well but I think it might suit rounded corner windows in the front more, to match the sides and be rid of the cab side window forward of the door. Class 707. Wide bodied, open plan interior, an alien face that manages to look appealing and not too busy or ott (going back to that 180 super car feel), a commuter side arrangement calling back to the PEP series and the SWT livery that brings out the best in it. But even so, the design suits existing liveries well. This thing scores high for modern standards. Class 444. The Desiro base appears to be a constant in pulling off a good looking unit (discounting the heinous 717). Nothing too fancy, modern stable wide frame & functional yet not boringly faring heavy & tapered in like the Electrostars. The long haul version over the commuter variants have a better proportioned face, specifically near the lights as there's no gap underneath so the yellow on each side can meet the door line, making it neater. Class 321. I see this one as the ultimate evolution of the PEP units, same layout but it's face got more dynamic as it possibly could without braking character too much. Has the look of a trendy early 2000s car, nothing too exciting, like a sport version of something that already exists. A new bumper for downward force. lol Class 325. Not the biggest fan of Networkers but I enjoy purpose built units on existing patterns like this one. Looking classy with the Royal Mail livery, the fancy numbering is a nice touch, and the large buffers, dialed back fairing & shutter doors scream 'I'm a workhorse'. Class 380. Last Desiro, this one is another instance of finding beauty in the bizarre. I'd say it's the angular dynamic sweep back, functional cyberpunk chic, but it isn't excessively streamlining like the 385, and the headlights & windows reign it in a bit. Class 158. What's to say, flat faced functional style, well considered feature layout, still looks modern, long body perfection & made for the Stagecoach EMT livery. Class 373. This one already has that fine French high speed influence & pedigree and as iconic as the Eurostar livery is, it doesn't wear any other quite like the GNER scheme, just *chef's kiss*. And there's something about the illusion of having a wider window that just looks right, similar to the 220. Class 371. And finally, it's a mock up of a proposed Networker. Made not long before the break up of NSE, it's like a further refinement of the 442, with wrap-around windows, newly established wrap-around lights, further complimenting the shell, plus the trim & gangway hark to 158 and why that face aesthetically works. Plenty more to talk about here!
Slightly off-topic question for all those that love the HST/Class 43 - does the XPT look better or worse in your opinion (livery aside)?
I'd say worse tbh, given the HST and how it should look is baked into our minds. The XPT isn't awful, but they tampered with a gem. Though I will say the only improvement is the side windows being in line with the front window.
For me, the Networkers are probably the nicest trains going - there’s something about the styling of them that makes me prefer them over other models of similar vintage yet it’s hard to actually express why that is. I do also have a soft spot for Mk 1 EMU’s given they were the first trains I ever rode.
I think 385s and 196s providing the fronts are yellow are nice looking units actually. They would definitely belong in this thread rather than the other one. The Junipers, well they definitely belong in the other thread!
I reckon the 385 is cursed, a case of of the Scotrail livery saving it, I'll also say the half black door does it a favour, playing down how weird it looks from the front, adds alignment with the limited yellow on the cheeks. Looks alright from the side though. And the 196, hmm, it's the mandible fangs at the bottom that spoil it for me, though the 197 with the grey and red door looks oddly satisfying. Alright so how would you go about improving the 460, if you had to get it refurbished? Specific details like light arrangements etc.
First of all I would just chop the cabs off because they are what make the look ugly and then replace it with a more 180 or 175 style cab (the 460s are alstom units aren't they?) and you have a much nicer look already. Actually I think the ones coverted to 458/5s have got a much more respectable look.
I adore Deltics as I am sure many members of the forum will know but I wouldn't say they were attractive in the same way an 800 is. They are glorious machines but looks wise just don't fit the bill to be called attractive. The 800s are the supermodels who, lets face it, every man has drooled over but the Deltics are the rough and ready woman you end up marrying, not for looks but for personality. That took a lot but honesty is the best policy.
Sorry, but as I say honesty is the best policy. Don't make me feel any worse than I do currently. They are beautiful machines but just don't have the looks to be attractive based on just looks. I love Deltics to the moon and back but they just don't look as visually attractive as an Azuma. Please forgive me, I didn't have my tablets this morning!
The X2000 too and it has gone through 3 refurbs i think go from bottom to top to see the liveries it has had
This is just as bad! It has only one door per coach which is one of the qualities I despise most in a train, surely there is a better offering from outside Britain, isn't there?
To be honest not really, it looks like a Labrador on a Chihuahua's legs and still only has one door. In all honesty I am yet to fine a train from overseas I like the look of so I would absolutely love you to find me one. If it helps I absolutely adore the looks of the BR Class 8xx series.
The same applies to these as what does to the Deltics, though I think the Deltics are slightly better looking than these.
