Right after I posted that last message, I looked up a picture of my son where he's "posing" next to one of his favorite Thomas the Tank Engine locos, Stepney. Every nation's locos have their own flavor (even those made in one country and sold to another take on a whole new personality in their new home).
One of the things that strikes me about British steam locomotives is that they are rather more "ornate" than most American locos. I guess it was a symbol of pride for the British to have powerful, versatile locomotives that were actually appealing to look at. American locomotives tend to be more...utilitarian: "no time or money for frills...we gotta get this job done because it needs to be done." The British locos seem to say, "Hey, we're British, we RULE THE WORLD, look in awe at our mighty industrial infrastructure!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Well, maybe without the "BWHAHAHAHAHA" part.
Anyway, I really like the look of British steam.
See, we Americans can say nice things about the British, too!
Here's a page about Stepney!
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pics/stepney.html