I would have to say the designers at Hillside in 1955 where all about practicalities because they were obviously not concerned much about aesthetics. :-)
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Some of the earlier J class received streamlining and one of them 1211 since restoration. Yes, praticality got the better of appearance in design and practice. The streamlining was not easy to work with for servicing so was discontinued for Ja class. Railways here have probably lost money most years since the about the 1960s. This is a rugged land with wild weather with limitations of 3' 6" gauge. It is the countryside, the triumph over mountains and rivers by feats engineering and the opportunity to travel behind steam with photo runs that attracts rail fans from all over the world. There is no shortage of lovers of these locomotives and 7 were saved. Most the restoration is by volunteers too! These locomotives were capable of over 70 m.p.h. in their day.
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