Im the biggest O gauge fan I know. However I dont know the terms so well. I found out that “High Rail” means scale type modeling. I think I know what it means when someone calls someone a “rivet counter” But my question is, “What does post war mean?” Pre war is before WW II right? and post war is from 1949 to …1970? Then we have “Modern” right?
So is there some definate time post war trains ended? Or what?
Prewar - anything before 1941 Postwar - 1945 - 1969 MPC 1970 - 1985(ish) LTI - mid 80’s - 1994/5 Modern - 1995 - present A rivet counter is someone who likes accurately detailed, scale replicas. Wet water = scotch and soda Jim
Being relatively new to the hobby, 1999, 98% of my train collection is modern.
I have the occasional purchase of an older engine or freight car but for the most part, the trains that I purchase are either brand new or newer than 1995.
I’m still learning the terminology of O gauge railroading but not being a diehard collector of older trains, pre-war or post-war trains never really interested me.
Beware of the pre-War sickness, I started with a 1688 Torpedo that a buddy convinced me to buy at York in April. Then came the 248 electric with the 629/630 passenger sets. Next was a 655 box car. Then the Marx wind-up sets. You get the picture…Now all I can think about is pre-war. It is a full fledged compulsion[}:)][:D][}:)]
Although “pw” may sometimes be used or seen as an abbreviation for “postwar” items, I don’t know of any acceptable abbreviation for “prewar.”
Personally, I prefer to spell out both terms, since they’re both short enough. Modern era is a bit longer, but still is generally spelled out to avoid confusion, as well it should be. Besides, that era itself is comprised of several different phases (in respect to Lionel)–MPC, LTI, Lionel LLC–so things can get a bit confusing.