saw my first class 70

at Dicot on Tuesday

 

also (bad pics Im afraid

 

Never mind, I'm sure you will get over it soon.

 

hmm... i'm not so sure. i didn't think they could design a worse loco than the awful class 66 and truly dreadful 67.the Class 70 (why isnt it 68 I wonder) is the loco equivalent of the Rodius in the Automotive world.

 

My comment was going to be surely there must be a helpline and counselling available!

Actually, I have seen worst - it looks rather like a Class 58 with some design consultant let loose on the cabs.

On second thought, given the Class 58 was said to be what happened if you let two Class 08s play with a tube of superglue, that maybe isn't a recommendation!

Steven

 

I have to say it. That is one hell of an ugly engine. Apparently locomotive 70.012 was dropped onto the quayside
whilst being unloaded at Newport docks. You've guessed it. There were £100,000 worth of improvements. <BJ>

 

How unfortunate for you.

 

You have my deepest sympathy.:sad:

 

just when you think life can't possibly get any worse it suddenly does

 

Got to be the best advertisement ever for buying Beyer Garratts. If form does follow function, then these things were built to be dropped.

 

From what I have been advised, the reason they couldn't be class 68's is that coaching stock carry this prefix in TOPS. I do agree that they are ugly but another class based on the bodyshell of a 59/66 would add even more boring dross to the modern network. At least it's creating some discussion!

 

They remind me a bit of the Hughes/Fowler 'Crab'. Pugnacious, built for a purpose rather than looks, probably successful and useful for what they're used for.

 

really? they look like something Gerry and Sylvia Anderson might come up with

 

I reckon the 70 is at least better looking than one of these: http://www.semgonline.com/steam/q1_01.html

 

Even a Q1 is better looking than a 70. The reason for a Q1's "ugliness" was that it was a war time austerity design, I wonder what excuse the 70's designer will come up with.

 

I'm not a fan of diesel traction in general but a Western diesel loco is something else. It looks good, sounds good, and by golly, it is good. <BJ>