With regard to the idea that all European stuff is ugly, just check out Sir Nigel Gresley or Mallard, or pretty much any GWR locomotive for that matter if you think European trains are ugly, or even some of the classic 1930s and 40s German steam locos, many of which are every bit as good looking as the classic US steam locos of the same era. In more modern traction terms, Deltics and their derivatives are very pretty locomotives that are as attractive as the classic US F units which receive so much adulation from US rail fans.
The more recent BR Class 59 and 66 are essentially re-bodied EMD SD50s, and they are amongst the most visually pleasing and well proportioned of British locos because of that, very handsome indeed when you see tham up close. Where multiple units are concerned, check out stuff such as the BR Class 180 Adelante, which is unusual in being a diesel hydraulic loco. That is a really striking looking train when you see one in real life, in fact it is very reminiscent of some of the classic streamlined art-deco influenced US passenger multiple units of ages past such as Zephyrs and the like. I was astonished by how stylish that Adelante looks the first time I saw one in real life.
Al
