What era do you model?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
21

I voted for the 40’s - 50’s era. Why? Because I want to model my hometown.

If I were to model the present, I’d have to string catenary (forget that!).

If I were to model the 80’s - 90’s, I’d be bored to tears as all I can recall seeing are F40PH’s and B23-7’s (and just try to find MBTA models that are any good).

If I were to model the 60’s - 70’s, I’d be too depressed to run my layout, as trains got shorter and dirtier as trucks and airplanes took over the market.

If I were to model the 1930’s or earlier, I’d be broke because all there is to run is steam, and at $400 a pop (at least), that doesn’t leave much for little things like a layout.

That leaves the 1940’s & 1950’s, the “Glory Years” of southern New England train transporation. This was the time when the New Haven RR was the safest, busiest (in WWII), and most colorful in it’s history. Sure, back in the day, the NH was a politcal power that crushed competition, but the public image of the RR was atrocious due to the horrific wrecks suffered, not to mention the financial shenanigans.

Besides, I can model the era without breaking the bank.

Paul A. Cutler III

Weather Or No Go New Haven

22

my goal is present but i have a lot of stuff from earlier decades. my loco power is mainly 80s era due to the size of my layout. i want to model a grain exchange type thing in my town during the early days using present day equipment. i’m trying to stay clear of boxcars with the roof walks, its not going to swell so far.

i’d say mine is from the 80s to present i guess.

23

I MODEL THE 50s because i was born then and I can remember riding tramways and trolley-buses! I saw some steam but mostly as I rode tourist trains! Here in Montreal we could see horse-drawn carts delivering milk in the early 60s!

24

I model CN and CP Rail, circa 1974.

25

40s-50s and trickling into the 60s for me.

26

The late steam-transition era. Later massive steam and 1st generation diesel.

There’s not much cooler than a hulking steamer pulling a long freight at 25 mph.

The transition era late '40s-late '50s always wins these type of polls.