Hello all.
When I first built my current layout four years ago, I had intended to only model the mid 1930s, but concluded I would probably soon get burned out on just the one period in no time at all, so I made it so that I can change out a few structures along with the automobiles and trains and go from the 30s to the 50s to the 70s to modern day in about thirty minutes.
Tracklayer
No. Mine is general and often has SD40’s running alongside E7’s. The structures and vehicles are also a pretty general mix.
Because I model my memories and the places I have been, my layout is filled with worm holes and time warps. Trains and cars all pass through equally well, so it is always a surprise to see what is where and when.
I limit my modeling (and purchases!) to 1967-72. Unfortunately, my layout is based on Hagerstown, Maryland, which was served by five railroads (WM, B&O, PRR, N&W, Reading) so I still get to run quite a variety of equipment (and blow the budget on a regular basis!).
I do have a way-back machine that allows me to run my 2-8-0 on occasion…
Lee
Very Nice 
I model Conrail in western PA in the late 1990’s with SD70macs, But sometimes i run my PRR K4 with some passenger cars 
Yes. I model the New York Central in the early and mid 40’s. My purchases reflect that.
Tom
Hi Tracklayer,
What I’m designing will be loosely based around the fifties, UP and Cheyenne, but I have equipment prior to that right through to modern diesels. I also have different RRs equipment plus some Aussie stuff that will get a run as well. I know that it won’t be right, so to speak, but I have enough room to model different scenes, so if I want to take serious pics of my modern power or Aussie stuff, I will pick the location of the shot to suit what I’m running at the time.
I admire people that know exactly what they want and are able to stick rigidly to a period and run only what is appropriate for that era, It’s just not for me. I love my steam just as much as my AC6000s, so I see no reason to limit myself to one era and I’m lucky enough to be able to afford most of what I like as well. If that means having a Shay or Climax passing an SD70, so be it, I’ll be more than happy ! [swg]
Cheers,
Warren
Generally, I’m about 1960, …BUT… I do backdate by changing to 1940’s steam or early 1950’s transition. …AND sometimes I go all the way to the end of the 1960’s … However, I don’t want to go too far and get some of that Cascade Green stuff.
For the most part, yes. At one time my free lance railroad was 1950ish but I finally settled on 1956, and that is as specific as I am going to get. I’ve heard about modelers who modeled a specific month or even a day but that is far too limiting for me. Who wants to go through the Ground Hog Day experience.
I have acquired some equipment from later eras that I might occasionally get an urge to run but all my new purchases are made with the 1956 date in mind.
I tried really hard to stick to “transition era” so I could run late steam and diesel. But then I found out that I started liking more modern diesels, into the 70’s and 80’s. And I’m fond of the BNSF Heritage II loco scheme, so it’s starting to creep into the 90’s now. I think I’ll probably settle on sometime in the 60’s or 70’s and just run the occasional oddball steamer or SD70MAC double stack unit train whenever the mood strikes me. [:D]
The prototype shortline I model has had five or six owner/operators during its 100+ years. It was an independent for over 50 years, but has been operated by three Class 1 railroads, and two different shortline railroads since then. I am trying to build the layout to reflect the mid-fifties era, but it can be easily pre- or post-dated to fit the eras that these other RRs have operated the line.
I intend to one day have several sets of equipment to reflect a specific time period for each of these various ownership eras. There will be a ca. 1938 steam era, a 1955 diesel era (both with the original railroad’s equipment), then 1972, 1992, and 2002 eras, one for most of the later operator RRs. The locomotives will be changed out between sessions, and some of the freight cars will overlap sessions. Some of the structures may be removed for the later eras, but not many will be added because there has been very little new construction in the region I model since the mid-fifties.
Of course, it’s easier to write about this plan than to carry it out, but it’s a goal I’m shooting for.
Tom
G’day mate…
Yeah. I’m also a UP fan, and in about thirty minutes can transform my layout into what we’ll call “some place out west USA” with a UP Challenger, rolling stock and even MOW equipment working on a side track. There’s just no way I could have fun with the same time period and trains all the time, and am very grateful to have the variety and options I do…
Tracklayer
No I don’t. My original time period was 1995-1996, about the time WC had the most color. But now I’ve strayed off that path.
A few things I’ve done would be; WC’s only SD35, 2500. 2500 was with the Fox Valley Western, which WC bought in 1995. Ok no problem there, but my model is in the WC scheme, and 2500 didn’t get repainted in WC Maroon and Gold until the late 90s. Another thing I’ve done is I have ex Algoma Central locomotives painted in WC livery, but the ex AC locomotives didn’t get repainted until the late 90s. Last, I will have one or two WC 75XX series SD45s. These locomotives weren’t rebuilt until the late 90s. So I’ll have 65XX series SD45s running with a 75XX series SD45s (The 75XX series where rebuilt from the 65XX series).
Why not change my era to 1997ish then. Well I still want color in my consists. 1995 was when alot of the ATSF SD45s, and F45s came on the scene. Add in some Fox Valley Western, Algoma Central, SOO GP30s, and the occasional BN SD45. Lease power from SOO, Lake Superior and Ishpeming, DMIR, was common in the North Woods. Classic EMD SP power on ore trains, and WC “V stripe” schemes from the late 80s. I’d say WC was pretty colorful in the mid 90s. It isn’t as different from what some of you guys have. But in 2-4 years WC changed ALOT.
Mine’s set in the WWII-Korean conflict era (1939-52) so I primarily run big steam’s last gasp. Actually, I’d planned on all steam, but I’ve actually incorporated a few 1st generation diesels into the mix (E-6, F-3) plus an early articulated streamliner. My diesel longings don’t go much beyond F’s (or PA’s) so I’m pretty safe there. What I DO miss is not running some of the colorful late 'fifties billboard boxcars, but I might bite and sneak in one or two just for the Heckuvit.
Tom
Tracklayer,
It takes you 30 mins change ? It only takes me as long to change as it does to get em out of the box and hook em up !!
Of course, I’m only running on a 6 x 4 test track with no scenery or buildings. [(-D]
By the time I hook up 2 Verandas and a couple of Geeps, I’m lucky if I’ve got the room for a boxcar. (slight exageration, but only just !) It sure looks impressive though !!! [swg]
Cheers,
Warren
No, I don’t!
My layout is set in northern Ontario, specifically because the scenery is timeless.
This lets me use just about anything (but not everything) that tickles my fancy. Sometimes the layout looks like the 1960s with locos and rolling stock of that era. Sometimes it’s the 30s. Sometimes it’s the 90s.
I’ve been fooling around a lot with what I call a “fast calendar.” During a longer operating session (or spread over a few), I’ll start with earlier vintage locos and rolling stock and gradually migrate them into hidden staging as new equipment rolls out of hidden staging.
It’s a lot of fun and keeps thing interesting (for me).
Yes. Sorta. I was modeling 1950, I’m backdating to 1900, so I am gradually removing cars as I built 1900 era replacments. I am a couple engines from all steam (a 4-4-0, 4-6-0 and 0-6-0 are in the paint shop now). All of the 50+ ft cars are gone and all the 10 ft IH boxcars. Eventually it will be all 1900.
Dave H.
Yes,I model the Milwaukee Road from Perry,Iowa-Savanna,Illinois from 1979-1980 at the time of the shutdown of the Iowa Division.I have alot of memories from that area and can model the SD40-2’s and MP15AC’s along with enclosed auto racks,piggybacks,and other types of cars from 35’3" to 60’ and bay window cabooses. Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Division
One time, one place, one total concept. My signature says it all.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)