It has to be the Pennsy. I grew up watching the PRR from my bedroom window and although some would feel that it was not very classy to live next to the RR, I felt I was the luckiest guy alive. It was a freight branch, but I saw H9s, G5’s, L1’s, I1’s, and most woderfully, J1’s on a daily basis. And visible across a valley was the main line to Pittsburgh with T1’s, K4’s, M1,s Turbo Train, etc. Really good stuff. I also liked the B&O which wasn’t too far away. And, the really wonderful WM. And in later days the East Broad Top. But any railroad that I can see, is my favorite at the time.
I think when and where you grew up has a lot of influence on that. Myself, I’m 56 years old and grew up near Providence, Rhode Island. As a kid, whenever I was in Providence, I made a stop at the train station. Back in the '50s and '60s, you could poke around and if you stayed safe and out of trouble, sometimes a railroad employee would take a liking to a young rail fan. Needless to say, my favorite is the New Haven. Colorful equipment and a colorful history. My first Lionel trains I recieved as Christmas presents from my parents were Santa Fe, but it wasn’t long before I was looking for NH rolling stock and engines. Now that I’m retired from the military, I own a N scale layout in the basement that I’m about to rebuild to represent the Providence area and G scale in the backyard which is more of a freelance layout. Both have almost all available NH equipment and some scratch built. There is no right answer here, just what ever you like and makes you happy.
sfcgadget,
Sounds pretty neat. One of my former students will be celebrating his 40th Birthday and I have managed to track down the #765 Nickle Plate Engine which he celebrated his 12 birthday by being allowed to ride in the cab by Mr. Purdy for about 125 miles. We had gone to Tennessee for a Southern Steam Excursion and as I remember it, Southern had to lease the 765 as their 2716 had a failure that season.
He is building a layout with his nephew and I hope this engine will have pride of place in his layout. I’m not sure he is building any particular railroad and/or location. I myself used to hang around the Depot of the Southern R.R. in Ashburn, Georgia when they were almost completely switched over to Diesels. This would have been around 1948 or 1949.
All the best,
The Commodore
Santa Fe …All the Way ! I grew up & now still live on the mainline with about 80 trains a day.
As a kid, after supper, my family would go to the Santa Fe station to witness the Super Chief on its way to LA.
-Dave [bow]
My favorites are Western Maryland(grandfather Charles Burgesser was the Freight and Passenger Agent at York PA around 1900.)
Ma & Pa, Home town Road with so much to recommend it. My step dad worked for Emmons building Boxcars back in the 70s. There is even a photo of him building one in the second Version of the Ma & PA book by George Hilton.
My Favorite large system was Pennsy. Also have a spot for the Reading.