Ugliest Modern Traction

[Smudger105e]

I don't like the look of the class 42, even though they're amazing trains

?

 

[ert47]

I find the 456s alright. Just the jumper cables or whatever they are. I do think the Heathrow Express Class 332 quite unattractive but obviously it's subjective.

The 332s remind me of what an updated Networker would look like *sideways glance at an Electrostar*

 

[Ivo]

Why are we getting so many threads rating units suddenly?

To answer the question, 456s by a country mile. Southern 455s aren't great either, but even they don't compare.

On the other hand, I quite like the exterior appearance of - wait for it - 323s. There has to be something about them I like

 

[fgwrich]

the 460, thank god they'll be gone soon!

Other way around for me, if anything i'd say that the 460s were quite the looker of the Juniper family, with the styled front - The 458s were quite the opposite, partly thanks to their flat fronted ends, and their 'Ford Ka' 'inspired' lights. Inspiration from a Ka? Yuck!

Nope they'll look quite different:

The 380s are a test bed for some stuff that will be carried over to the Desiro City but they're not directly sharing a body shell (though I'm sure there'll still be some common bits to it).

I think they've got quite an attractiveness to them. Slightly reminiscent of the also attractive 332 & 333 Fleets.

 

[Voyager 2093]

Class 458 plain and straight. Such an ugly batch of trains, I don't see why SWT don't just use the cab ends from the class 460!

 

[starrymarkb]

I'd say a Class 70
This attachment is not British, it's Belgian but it's certainly the ugliest train I've ever seen! Looks like an unfortunate accident between a train and a rubber ring......

It's a Danish design and is actually quite clever, the cab front is a door and gives a full width cab and gangway in one..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:IC-3-coupled.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:IC-3-coupled2.jpg

it might not be pretty but there is at least a reason
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It hasn't been built yet (and won't if Hitchi gets the contract for building replacement bakerloo stock instead) -

This has to count as ugly! - http://londonist.com/2011/06/the-tube-train-of-the-future.php

Reminds me of the Rapi:T

(Meanwhile in Japan....)

I must say it's hideous but I love it! (in the same way that Ghostrider 2 was an awesome movie because it was so bad!)

 

[Condor7]

Class 70 by far the ugliest thing around. 142 I actually don't mind looking at, travelling in the thing is another matter.

It just goes to show beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I have actually always loved these, they are a bit different, and I like them for that.

 

[Retorus]

Nope they'll look quite different:

The 380s are a test bed for some stuff that will be carried over to the Desiro City but they're not directly sharing a body shell (though I'm sure there'll still be some common bits to it).

Why does it look so unhappy? Mind you I suppose I would if I looked like that.

 

[43074]

The Class 458s are the ugliest, I think.

And why have a pointed front end on a Class 380, which is a suburban EMU: why couldn't Scotrail have ordered a 23m variant of the 350 Desiro design, not the Class 380 rubbish.

 

[OuterDistant]

I've never liked 175s; ghostly, piggy-eyed bus type things, IMHO!

 

[D365]

I've never liked 175s; ghostly, piggy-eyed bus type things, IMHO!

I can never tell whether they're sloped or not from photos!

The Class 458s are the ugliest, I think.

And why have a pointed front end on a Class 380, which is a suburban EMU: why couldn't Scotrail have ordered a 23m variant of the 350 Desiro design, not the Class 380 rubbish.

Regulation and progress seem to be the buzz words.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Deleted

 

[172212]

?

? That's just a picture, is that meant to change my mind or something

 

[starrymarkb]

The Class 458s are the ugliest, I think.

And why have a pointed front end on a Class 380, which is a suburban EMU: why couldn't Scotrail have ordered a 23m variant of the 350 Desiro design, not the Class 380 rubbish.

The new cab design is to comply with the latest crash regulations. They require impact protection for the driver in case of striking an obstcle on the line. (ie Barrow upon Soar or hitting a large vehicle on a crossing) Bombardier have a new compliant one available as a customer option (as yet no-one has ordered any) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AVENTRA.jpg

The 380 uses a new bodyshell based on that of the Desiro City hence a compliant cab is mandatory (and would be if Bombardier develop a new shell for the son of Electrostar)

 

[ATW Alex 101]

This is a tidy up of my last post.

Here in the attachments I have a E4 Shinkansen, just came up when I googled "Ugly train", and I dont fail to say why

Then we have a 458, very ugly IMHO

Now they are the other way round lol

 

[Temple Meads]

I can never tell whether they're sloped or not from photos!

They are sloped, although only slightly.

Strangely there isn't one class that stands out as ugly for me (well, apart from 70's, but that's all part of they're appeal), there are quite a few that do nothing either way though.

 

[jopsuk]

Here in the attachments I have a E4 Shinkansen, just came up when I googled "Ugly train", and I dont fail to say why

Yes they're ugly, but as a way of transporting vast numbers of people at 140mph they're well designed!

 

[317666]

Probably the Class 378 or 172. The awful LO livery doesn't help either.

 

[jopsuk]

By 172 do you mean the LO/Chiltern spec or the LM spec? After all, the LO?/Chiltern spec just has the cab from the 170- so if it's the LO 172, then you're purely going on livery.

 

[LE Greys]

This thread ought to have a poll. My vote has to go for the Class 70, which is the third-ugliest class ever to run in Britain (first and second were the Q1s and Franco-Crosti 9Fs). Near that comes the 456s, with the same slab-front look as the 321s and loads of obscure pipework with the 458s close to them. I'm no big fan of 66s or 92s either. Some other classes have this odd, quirky appeal, in particular the 60s and 317-type, which are so ugly they're beautiful.

66s aren't easy to improve, although Owen Hodgson gave it a good try. http://www.fictitiousliveries.co.uk/photo.php?66001_EWS.jpg

 

[60163tornado]

Don't know if this applies to modern traction.

Class 58
Redcar SS1 Shunter, they look a bit like class 17s, the upgraded version.

 

[dosxuk]

Everything by Alstom since privatisation, except the Pendos.

 

[Eagle]

Everything by Alstom since privatisation, except the Pendos.

I really like the look of the 373s. Better than the new Eurostars anyway.

 

[OuterDistant]

Would also like to add Southern's refurbished 455s (the ones with air conditioning). Hideous!

 

[RobShipway]

I was looking at an old Class 58 photo and it struck me that the Class 70 could be it's younger brother......

 

[dosxuk]

I was looking at an old Class 58 photo and it struck me that the Class 70 could be it's younger brother......

Or it's ugly sister.

 

[LE Greys]

58s aren't that bad by comparison (and I'm not just saying this because they were made at Doncaster). The front end seems much more in-proportion than the 70s, with a good deal less in the way of excess equipment hanging out. I'd much rather see a 58 on a tour than a 66 any day.

 

[90019]

If we're including non UK trains, I'll add in my usual nomination in the form of the Talgo 350.

 

[RobShipway]

If we're including non UK trains, I'll add in my usual nomination in the form of the Talgo 350.

Ah yes, the duck on rails.....

 

[ATW Alex 101]

If we're including non UK trains, I'll add in my usual nomination in the form of the Talgo 350.

That's very similar to the E4 Shinkansen which I had posted earlier but I can see the differences which are only very slight differences.