Best-looking train in the UK?

[backontrack]

Following on from the Ugliest UK train thread (answer: Class 141, obvs), it seems that the reverse must be asked: so, what, for you , is the best-looking train in the UK?

For me, the Class 180 springs to mind.



(Wikimedia Commons)

 

[Kneedown]

For me it's the HST and Class 8xx series.
Both great looking trains from different times.

 

[hexagon789]

HST, Class 91, Pendolino, Class 180, Class 442, Class 90, Class 87. Assuming any Class of British train is allowed: LNER A1, A2, A3 and A4 Pacifics.

Take your pick!

 

[hexagon789]

Following on from the Ugliest UK train thread (answer: Class 141, obvs), it seems that the reverse must be asked: so, what, for you , is the best-looking train in the UK?

For me, the Class 180 springs to mind.

(Wikimedia Commons)

They do have a nice streamlined line to them.

 

[Buggleskelly]

For me, there are so many contenders (all in my own opinion of course).

For locos I'd say LMS Coronation Class (Streamlined) and LNER Class A4

For modern trains I'd say the Intercity 125 in the 'Swallow' livery, Class 390 'Pendolino', Class 312 (I still miss those slam doors) and I could say any multiple unit without end gangways (they just ruin the look of the train)

 

[hexagon789]

For me, there are so many contenders (all in my own opinion of course).

For locos I'd say LMS Coronation Class (Streamlined) and LNER Class A4

For modern trains I'd say the Intercity 125 in the 'Swallow' livery, Class 390 'Pendolino', Class 312 (I still miss those slam doors) and I could say any multiple unit without end gangways (they just ruin the look of the train)

A4s are my favourite steam loco class, my granddad liked the LMS Coronations but I was never that keen myself. 125s look best in Swallow I think.

 

[Macwomble]

The "streaks" win by a mile.

 

[hexagon789]

The "streaks" will by a mile.View attachment 45081

For steam, definitely

 

[Buggleskelly]

The "streaks" win by a mile.View attachment 45081

That is one beautiful loco from one of the best classes ever designed

 

[corsaVXR]

Class 373 - nothing comes close

 

[33021]

 

[Harbornite]

Unstreamlined Princess Coronation, A4 Pacific, Class 47, Kestrel, Class 43, that's my list of what I consider to be this country's best looking loco designs. There's plenty more out there though that would meet my criteria of 'good looking'.

As for units, I'd nominate the 172/2 and 3s, 221s, 390s and 180s.

 

[skh93]

Another vote for the 180 here, beautiful design. Pendos and Voyagers are also up there for me.

 

[mmh]

HST, 90, DVT, 91, 390, 373

Plus 421 4-CIGs and 423 4-VEPs just because I miss them a lot!

 

[GusB]

Unstreamlined Princess Coronation, A4 Pacific, Class 47, Kestrel, Class 43, that's my list of what I consider to be this country's best looking loco designs. There's plenty more out there though that would meet my criteria of 'good looking'.

I've only ever seen Kestrel in photographs, but it certainly looked good. I'd imagine it must have looked like something from the space age when new, compared with earlier diesel designs. My favourite design has to be the production Deltic, though, with possibly the HST coming second.

Regarding more modern stuff, I like the 68/88, and the new TPE push-pull stock looks superb.

 

[EM2]

<----- No-one else will agree with me

 

[TRAX]

Class 378.

 

[superalbs]

Most new stuff being built except 345s look pretty nice to me, to be honest.

 

[RichJF]

Class 68 in TPE/Chiltern livery.
HST in GWR green or InterCity swallow livery.
I always thought the Intercity Class 86 looked awesome.

 

[whhistle]

I thought the original designs for Hitachi's AT200 were pretty nice.

 

[59CosG95]

Pretty much anything capable of 125mph that isn't a Voyager wins a beauty contest in my book. It's the uncovered couplers on the 220s/221s that I find a bit ugly; the 222s are only marginally better.

 

[backontrack]

Another vote for the A4s.

 

[fishquinn]

Virgin liveried class 87. Many fond memories of these and I think the livery works incredibly well on it. Photo posted below (not mine, all credit to the photographer):
87007 at Wolverhampton by Steve Jones, on Flickr

 

[backontrack]

Virgin liveried class 87. Many fond memories of these and I think the livery works incredibly well on it. Photo posted below (not mine, all credit to the photographer):
87007 at Wolverhampton by Steve Jones, on Flickr

I rather liked the old Virgin livery - at least, much more than I do the current one!

I think that a Class 90 loco can look good in anything, really. Especially ScotRail's old livery.



(Wikimedia Commons)

That livery also suited ScotRail's Class 322s (they used to work the North Berwick route) well:



Photo by 'falkirkbairn' at www.scot-rail.co.uk

 

[hexagon789]

Virgin liveried class 87. Many fond memories of these and I think the livery works incredibly well on it. Photo posted below (not mine, all credit to the photographer):
87007 at Wolverhampton by Steve Jones, on Flickr

A very good livery indeed, but I preferred them with the smoother lines of Mk3s in tow

 

[hexagon789]

I rather liked the old Virgin livery - at least, much more than I do the current one!

I think that a Class 90 loco can look good in anything, really. Especially ScotRail's old livery.

View attachment 45098

(Wikimedia Commons)

That livery also suited ScotRail's Class 322s (they used to work the North Berwick route) well:

View attachment 45101

Photo by 'falkirkbairn' at www.scot-rail.co.uk

The 170s look better in Barbie as well.

 

[randyrippley]

Unstreamlined Princess Coronation, A4 Pacific, Class 47, Kestrel, Class 43, that's my list of what I consider to be this country's best looking loco designs. There's plenty more out there though that would meet my criteria of 'good looking'.

As for units, I'd nominate the 172/2 and 3s, 221s, 390s and 180s.

class 43? A Warship?
Class 42 looked far better - fewer holes in the body

 

[Bletchleyite]

If we're allowed to look ahead a bit, the TPE LHCS (other than the end that points at the loco).

 

[TheEdge]

I assume someone gave the correct answer, obviously that being a King.

 

[backontrack]

The 170s look better in Barbie as well.

They do, as do the 156s and 158s.

It's a shame that we won't get to see the HSTs in Barbie livery when they move to ScotRail - but this mock-up of the new livery looks fantastic...

https://www.railengineer.uk/2017/03/23/scotrails-new-hsts/