Love 'em. One of the main reasons I got in to Large Scale.
Doc Tom
(http://www.trainweb.org/dhvm/images/dhrr_diesel/ALCO_C-628/Gerry-Landau/615-01.jpg)
Any ALCo Century esp the 628
The one I’ve always lusted after and now own. The pride of my fleet.
Doc Watson
If I were to chose one locomotive, it would be a SD-7… Beautiful locomotive, and was considered a ““Cadilac”” in it’s time… Of course it would have to have the 437 lights that Southern Pacific put on them… 
I’m with Doc Tom, a 3 truck Shay. In the real world I’ll take a SP GS-4, in Daylight Paint! And in the air, C-130!
Paul
just one…
the answer comes easy:
a LGB Stainz.
it pulls good, is durable (got one for 44 years now, still running strong with nothing but twice or thrice applying some squirts of oil)
and it is cheap enough, that it is no crime to put it to the saw.
I am sure the thread is about 1:1 locomotives and not models so my choice is:
SNCF (former PLM) 231K
Class A Climax and the Heisler as my second choice.
If I had to choose just one locomotive, I would be very much satisfied with this one, a Class F-8, 2-8-0, Great Northern 1147. I managed some cab rides in her as a very young kid, just before she was retired. She graces the southern entrance to my hometown, Wenatchee, WA, near Appleyard.
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/cf/c3/01/1c10d_116b.jpg)
I really like “ALL” the locomotives that you guys are choosing. I haven’t seen one I did not like.
BTW, this thread is about real locomotives or scaled down if you so choose.
I think it is safe to say that we all have at least one favorite locomotive. One that captures our imagination and holds it. I know I have that one. I love trains period and really nothing comes even remotely close to them. Oh sure, there are pretty girls, cars, airplanes etc., but trains do something to those that are involved with them in scale or real that no other source of transportation can do.
I love air shows and I have been to many in the country to include the Reno Air Races. I have seen just about every type aircraft out there. Some are so beautiful they make you cry you wish you could own it.
Yet, even they do not compare to seeing a Niagara running full tilt boogie with a consist of really beautiful passenger cars. The sounds are breath taking and as a kid, I remember seeing one steamer that literally transported my entire world. They are that cool.
Once, when I was young, my class went on a field trip to the Smithsonian Institute of Technology. There they have a steam locomotive. In fact, several kinds, but the really big one impressed me so much, I practically begged my Mom and Dad to buy me a Lionel set that had an engine that nearly looked like the one I saw in the museum.
All I can say is this: Trains, for me…are a bona fide love affair.
Andy Clarke said:
If I were to chose one locomotive, it would be a SD-7… Beautiful locomotive, and was considered a ““Cadilac”” in it’s time… Of course it would have to have the 437 lights that Southern Pacific put on them…
Me too! In the black widow paint scheme…hopefully AML won’t delayed its release
Rockwall Canyon Jeff said:
F40PH-2C in 1/29 scale…time for a commuter rail locomotive.
What if it was 1:26.875 and 3/10’s scale would that be ok?
Shawn (napkin builder) Viggiano said:
Class A Climax
You forgot shut up Rooster
I will stick with the models that I have, right now my favorite is my Mallet, she looks beautiful with a long string of coal hoppers.
Mallet is a beautiful locomotive and yes, she would look awesome with a string of coal hoppers in tow.
SD40-2! Great locomotive to run from the cab, food heats up nicely on the water heater, an no auto download tapes so you can power brake all day long! Grew up watching these on the mainline in BN green, and sat in the cab in quite a few as well.
Burlington Northern SD-9 in Cascade Green w/ nose stripes (no whiteface) short hood forward
Wait, do I get two votes? McCloud River Railroad SD-38-2 #39
Gotta’ be the Virginian Triplex!
My choice?
For all the wrong modeling reasons: LGB’s ever-trustworthy Mogul.
Yep, ya’ all can run 'em and run 'em and they still keep running.
One of mine is 13 years in operation - just keep it lubed and it will keep performing.
If trusted performance is a singular criteria, what’s next in your livery?
Wendell