I’ve never understood why electrification makes it worse when it’s ugly without, and when the alternatives are also ugly.

The point is electrification via gantries makes it much more ugly.

A railway line disappears into the ground somewhat, and to some people is actually attractive, even with emissions from a combustion engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenfinnan_Viaduct

Electric gantries are seen to many people are far more intrusive to the landscape, and even destructive to landmarks, since they stick up into the air.

By way of comparison, the Royal Border Bridge, with relatively lightweight and specifically designed gantries: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/60163_To...