I was wondering if anyone else besides me mixes era’s like steam and diesel, and Im talking about old steam with new diesel?? I think its creative and more fun this way. Let me know what you all think. All comments are greatly apprecieted!! [8D]
I sometimes do, just for a change of pace. If anyone harps on me for it, I tell them the doors to the right. Use it.
Funny. I like both steam and diesel, and am not afraid to use them together. I usually act like the steamers are my switchers. Thanks for the reply.
My layouts are usually semi modern but I also run some steam on them. After all, it is my world!
I just picked my era and location with care. That allows me to run steam (including teapot tanks built before 1900), diesel-hydraulic (far more common than diesel-electric on my prototype), old coupled-frame boxcab motors and fresh from the erecting shop semistreamlined Bo-Bo-Bo motors.
When and where? September 1964, in the Central Japan Alps.
Chuck
While I wont mix much, say my SD70 and my Hudson at the same time, I do switch back and forth between 1956 and 2006. I probably switch the stock about onnce or twice a month. Most of my structures I tried to make pretty “time generic” so i could kinda get away withit. [:)]
I see something I like, I buy it, I run it, I’m happy. Not only will I mix eras but I’ll also not run stuff where it shouldn’t be, like my talgos. My layout is located on the BNSF outside of Chicago, but I run talgos with almost any of my Amtrak engines and hope to run them with an HHP-8 sometime soon.
If you have enough room, you can model mixed eras with no problem I would think, and it is your RR, you can do whatever you want. Do you really think that Terry is going to show up at your layout in a trenchcoat and hat and arrest you LOL.
I plan to mix eras, why should we not have fun with the new stuff coming out. Just look at the great cars that are arriving everyday it seems. They are terrific in detail and running. Should we not use them because they were not the style in the 30’s 40’s or 50’s? Bull!!! Unless you are “purist” ,don’t worry about it…if you want to worry about something, worry about that nutcase who is running Iran and his nuclear ambitions.
I run everything from old steam to new diesel
you name it and i’ll run it
I have a Norfolk Southern SD-60, GP40-2and a B40-8 and a Southern MP-15. I don’t know about every one else, but after a while, SD’s, GP’s, B’s and C’s get to be a blur (dare I say boring) especially in Norfolk Southern and Southern black. So I also have a Southern green and white E-7, I just purchased the Proto 1000 DL-109 in the same colors and I have a Bachmann Southern 4-6-0 Steamer. Hey, it works for me.
The way I see it…do what makes you happy. I actually posted my engine roster on another board one day. What a mistake. I actually had some angry people tell me I was all over the place and I would be out of the hobby soon. I mostly model Illinois central…but do own some other road names as well. I have a few steam era also. Some may have never even been Illinois Central engines…I like them and that’s all that matters.
I’m guilty of mixing old steam and new diesel on my layout.[:D] I like all eras of trains, from 1804-2006.[:D]
All the time, both at home and on our club layout, which are both free-lance lines.
I stick to the modern era, but I think it is fun to occasionally throw in older equipment. I don’t own a steamer, largely due to expense, but wouldn’t be against having one. i do have a couple of cool looking FTs painted for NYO&W. They are fun to give a spin.
Haven’t you people been listening to Tony Koester!!! You’re not supposed to do this!!!
Good for y’all.
Me, I’m stuck in Pennsylvania in 1954. [swg]
…and that’s your prerogative. [:)][tup]
Personally, I like modeling my layout prototypically: So all my locomotives, structures, rolling stock, etc. would be correct and found in the line and era that I’m modeling. To me, that’s fun. Why?
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There’s so much to learn about RRing and history when running a layout that way.
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My layout takes on a realism that pleases me because it’s believable.
But I don’t get bent outta shape if someone chooses to run their layout differently. That’s what makes this hobby of ours so enjoyable - i.e. I can be right…and you can be wrong…[(-D][:o)][(-D]
Tom
I cheat.
I have an 80’s layout but include preserved steam and stock. I was helped a lot by someone writing in Trains or similar letting off steam about museums not having any order about what they buy/display… so - if i like it - i figure someone preserved it.
I have a Heisler, a couple of 2-8-0s and a Russian… got them all cheap as well 
For stock i pick up interesting early kits that are good quality/intersting.
I also reckon that the presevation “people” inhabiting my layout run their trains for film crews… so this needs a “camera car”.
All just part of the insanity
I have mostly 60’s era diesels but also one Mikado and I am looking for a few more steam engines for the CB&Q.
Rick
I model 1880’s. But every once in a while a GP-38 pulls up to take in water and oil.
The Autumns Ridge Railway & Navigation Co. doesn’t own any of those confounded “D” word things! The Northern New England Railroad that it connects to has been thinking about checking one of those new fangled contraptions out though!