I am torn between modern era Chicago Metra and Class 1’s in Chicago and modeling mid 90’s Conrail in Ohio for my next layout. Is it a lot of work to make sure you stay within an era, compared to modern era (almost anything goes).
What era do you model?
I favor building small display layouts and each of then layouts I built in the past 55 years had a different them and was set in a different region and era. It is not at all difficult or a lot of work sticking to the era you have chosen. All yyou have to do is to ensure that the engines and cars as well as all road vehicles are from the same or previous eras. In most instances, figures are to be neglected, as the figures available are suitable for different eras. One of my projected layouts is set in the early 1900s, when the fashion was quite different. Sourcing figured clad in the right costumes of the Ewardian era will be challenging.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Outsailing86 Is it a lot of work to make sure you stay within an era, compared to modern era (almost anything goes). What era do you model?
Is it a lot of work to make sure you stay within an era, compared to modern era (almost anything goes).
Actually, I find selecting an era helps me to better focus my attention and modeling efforts and I'm less distracted and less tempted to buy "stuff".
I model the New York Central in the 40s (steam & early diesel) and find the era & history fascinating.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I agree with Tstage, Selecting an era, a location / area, and a primary railroad to model gives a focus on what to buy and model. Without this one might end up with a hodpoge of things that do not logically fit together
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
I plan to freelance a fictional short line in Chicago in the 80's and 90's. Gives me a chance to model what I see around me. It's also a justification for a WIDE range of stock to roll through. Just about everything appears on almost everyone elses lines at least once in a while here on the west side.
I see where Ohio Conrail and Metra could be a challenge though.
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
My layout was dual-era, so I would swap out the vehicles, engines and some rolling stock en masse from time to time. I planned to have a few exchangeable structures, too, but haven't gotten them out of the kit boxes yet.
I don't exchange figures, although I might have a few distinctive ones with the structures.
I find that being location, road and era-appropriate adds to the modeling experience.
The newest thing on my Transition Era layout is a Playboy centerfold. It's stuck above the tool bench in the back of the roundhouse. I figure she is a couple of years out of era, but she does not have a built-on date stenciled on so who's to notice?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
my first 25 years I was in Ohio. Now I’m in Chicago... so it’s the do I model the old location or the new one. And I’ve done the drive enough to know there’s nothing good between them.
I think many modelers struggle with this and getting the "shotgun" approach where one buys anything that appeals to them. Ending up with a hodge podge of models and eras all mixed on the layout. I know I did for many years. But in my two chosen scales, 16mm narrow gauge in the garden and HO scale indoors, finding a focus and era helps tame the high cost of modeling. Indoors has settled back into a logging theme, set in the Pacific Northwest and the Booth Kelly Lumber Co. Outdoors is the Welshpool & Llanfair light railway from the UK with live steam locomotives. Either of your two options are well represented in models, so no issues there. Chicago modeling opens up lots of different roads and variety. Only the era or year will dictate what models are either to new or to old to be there. Metra early years with BN E units and F40's or modern era with its variety of motive power. Mike the Aspie
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
I pride myself on being the ultimate freelancer. I made up everything... my railroad, the railroads it interchanges with, the location where I model, everything.
.
However, when it comes to era... I am a total stickler.
The STRATTON AND GILLETTE only exists on Tuesday, August 3rd, 1954, at two o'clock on the afternoon.
Other than that, anything goes!
I guess my suggestion would be to stick with an era, but maybe not too strict if it interferes with your enjoyment of the hobby.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
RR_MelI grew up in El Paso TX in the 1950s and my teen years are still with me so I model the Southern Pacific early 50s. Our neighbor was the SP Yard Superintendent and he arranged for me to ride in the cab of a northbound Cab Forward to Alamogordo NM and back in an AC-9 for my 14th birthday. I’ll never forget that day until I’m pushing up grass.
Russ
Modeling the early '50s Erie in Paterson, NJ. Here's the link to my railroad postcard collection: https://railroadpostcards.blogspot.com/
Outsailing86 I am torn between modern era Chicago Metra and Class 1’s in Chicago and modeling mid 90’s Conrail in Ohio for my next layout.
I am torn between modern era Chicago Metra and Class 1’s in Chicago and modeling mid 90’s Conrail in Ohio for my next layout.
Since Metra was created in 1983, and Conrail lasted until 1999, there's a window where they both existed. Why not kinda combine your ideas and do a Chicagoland layout set in the 1990's, with Metra commuter trains and Conrail freights?
Hello All,
Something to consider...
John Allen on planning:
"A model railroad should probably start with a concept. Why? Because much knowledge about railroading, experience in model railroading, and thought are required before a proper concept for a model railroad can be formed. These requirements are seldom possible on a first pike. Mine was no exception."- -John Allen; Gorre & Daphetid Railroad.
Outsailing86Is it a lot of work to make sure you stay within an era, compared to modern era...
The era I chose was based on the locomotives I wanted to run.
I prefer diesel over steam.
Because of the size limitations of my pike, it limited me to 4-axle units.
EMD GPs fit the bill. GP40s and 30s are the prominent motive power.
Most of those locomotives were in service from the 1960s to the 1980s.
I set my era from the late 1970s to the early 1980s.
Because of the space limitations of my pike I decided to choose a single industry.
Logging? Quarrying? Mining? Sightseeing/excursion? Ah, the agony of choice!
While day-tripping south of the Grand Mesa, outside of Paonia; here in Colorado, I found the Bowie Resource Limited coal mine.
BINGO!
A coal-branch loop, set in the mountains of Colorado in the late 1970s to the early 1980s!
The name of my freelance railroad is the Buckskin & Platte R.R.; reporting marks BS&P R.R. The name is derived from the two bodies of water that flow through our town. The Middle Fork of the South Platte River and Buckskin Creek.
Although my pike is a freelance based in Colorado, the D&RGW and Santa Fe liveries are the most prevalent. Partially because these are readily available in HO and fit the era.
Some of these are patched out from other liveries, some are leased units and some retain their original paint schemes.
The key to keeping to an era is the rolling stock and scenery.
Yes, you might see an abandoned cement coaling facility and ash pit in a modern era pike but you probably wouldn't see a container facility in a port set in the 1940s.
The same holds true for rolling stock. A modern 89-foot Auto Rack would not be appropriate but a 50-foot Rail Box or depressed center flat car would be appropriate along with cabooses.
Because there is a historic spiral trestle that moves the empty coal hoppers from the unloading shed down to the mainline I incorporated an excursion train.
This is a USRA 0-6-0 with a Vanderbuilt tender that pulls three "Olde Tyme" coaches and a bobber caboose. As a helper up the 3% grade a 0-4-0 Side Tank Porter is used.
Switching duties are carried out by track-mobiles, critters, 40- and 70-tonners. There is also a cow and calf unit of SW 1200s.
When you set an era you can always "historically" model anything. It becomes tricky to justify a FP40 on a pike set in the 1950s.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I found modeling a era and area requires discipline in several areas including knowing what cars can be used. Discipline is also needed in the purchasing department and in that department I failed miserably in as I grew older.
While I have my four freeland railroads plus CR, NS and CSX I manage to stick wiith the three prototypes I like. All can fit my 94/95 era.
While I have a Santa Fe 1950 Class 2-8-0 and a C&O RS-1 I can pass the 2-8-0 as belonging to the owner of SCR,SSRy and Huron River. The C&O RS-1 is a "heritage" locomotive.The SCL and Seaboard System engines also belong to the owner.
You see Mr. Dowlingsmith collects locomotives..All are in prestine and operational condition.So,if you railfan the Summerset Ry you may get to see a SCL or Seaboard System locomotive being used.
The 2-8-0 sees service on rare occasions. The steam crew is hired part time from a local steam powered tourist railroad on these occasions.
As you can see any odd engine or engines can be explained away even though its best to stay in your chosen era.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
jjdamnitWhen you set an era you can always "historically" model anything. It becomes tricky to justify a FP40 on a pike set in the 1950s.
That would be a hard one.
I avoid anachronism like it is poison, but I have taken two serious liberties.
1) I play fast and loose with TOFC equipment. There is a lot more on the STRATTON AND GILLETTE than there should have been in 1954.
2) I have a load of 1955 Buicks on a car hauler. I know August 3rd is too soon for the 1955 models to be in transport to the dealerships, but not by much. My wife saw the Oxford models and had to have them.
Outsailing86compared to modern era (almost anything goes).
Actually, even with modern you can't run just anything. Even though they last a long time cars and locomotives eventually disappear from the railroads. So you can't run something like a truss rod boxcar on archbar trucks.
What's more subtle is the mix. While a modern era layout might for example have a 35 year old boxcar, it won't have a lot of them compared to more recent ones. OTOH it won't have all new cars either
Modeling an older era is the same. You have to watch the mix and have mostly more recent cars and locomotives (and of course nothing future).
Of course a lot depends on how exacting you want to be. A lot of folks will give a ten year (or longer) range for their era. And some just run whatever they want.
Personally, I try to run what looks appropriate to my era of 1953. But I am sure some of the freight car paint schemes are too new. And I run some NMRA Heritage cars (decorated for famous model railroads like the Gorre & Daphtid).
In the end have fun.
Paul
Outsailing86 I am torn between modern era Chicago Metra and Class 1’s in Chicago and modeling mid 90’s Conrail in Ohio for my next layout. Is it a lot of work to make sure you stay within an era, compared to modern era (almost anything goes). What era do you model?
OTOH, it may be extra work to stay in an era and RR, but on the other hand it simplifies things too, and you end up with a more satisfying and realistic (true to life) RR.
I can tell you what period and what RR I am modeling (see my tag line) but most it's a personal choice. No one can choose for you, pick what you like and enjoy it.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
People are also forgetting that railroad containers change just like freight cars. These are era specific too with names and designs.
Containers like Evergreen, K-Line, Maersk, Tex/Gold/Triton, Hyundai, JB Hunt, and Hanjin rarely change but some with top dated website address and design.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
angelob6660 People are also forgetting that railroad containers change just like freight cars. These are era specific too with names and designs. Containers like Evergreen, K-Line, Maersk, Tex/Gold/Triton, Hyundai, JB Hunt, and Hanjin rarely change but some with top dated website address and design.
It's kind of interesting and cool, I sometimes see double stack trains (which come right through my town) with 40' containers just like traveled across the D&RGW in the late 80's and early 90's.
Model the 1980s in Southern VA, (near Roanke). The 1980s provide a lot of interchange and variety of cars.
Found that part of VA gorgeous when now wife was studying at JMU. Also like showing off coal! Of course that part of VA has plenty of ag. The smell alone proves it!
I model southern Ontario in the late '30s, an era before my time. If affords me a good cross-section of freight cars from all over North America, and suits my interests in replicating prototype freight cars of that period. Picking an era to model requires the modeller to focus, which should save one from buying items not suited to their particular choice. However, I've always liked the early covered hoppers (mostly '50s era, I guess) so there are quite a few of them on my layout. The way I look at, if I can have my cake, it should have a little icing on it to make it palatable enough to eat. No apologies for enjoying oneself, eh?
Wayne
doctorwayne No apologies for enjoying oneself, eh?
No, never. There should never be any apologies for having fun in the train room.
I model NP in N scale at the very eve of the BN merger. I sort of say that my railroad is set right after merger day, so I can add a tad of Cascade Green and patches, but I haven’t done that yet...
I am kind of picky about era, and I tend to go through all my stuff an make sure it is reasonably era appropriate, but I have yet to actually do anything to make my stuff completely era appropriate. I have a few older style boxcars that wouldn’t have made it to my era and one car with a modern style COTS stencil, but I’m not anxious to purge those things from my fleet. The minor inaccuracies bother me, but not enough that they have actually been fixed... yet...
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
I think I'm probably inherently lazy when it comes to the hobby. Go figure, it shouldn't be work should it?
So I tend to be interested in modeling things around me. That means modern era, and that means the topography of the SE USA. Although as a kid living in Nebraska, I was always interested in the Southern RR and the L&N, so the SE USA maybe is an inherent draw for some reason. (Or the MOPAC in Southern Missouri)
My new layout will be modeled in a post 2005 era most likely.
A 1940's logging RR set in the Pacific NW or even the deep Appalachians is so different from what I've seen in my lifetime that it would be the desired alternative theme for a layout.
The equipment I own fits the era. I tend to not retain stock that doesn't fit the era, unless it is very interesting on its own or sentimental. Also, I hang on to things that are hard to come by (not rare in a collectible sense).
- Douglas
I model in N Scale with a variety of eras. My main one is the late 1980s-1990s since I can model any railroad.
Primary focusing on Amtrak, BNSF and Union Pacific in 1998-2007. Behind is Conrail 1987-98.
Stopping the timeline was helpful for me since I don't like safety stripes on freight cars and the union pacific's yellow sill. (I know it started 2003.)
Secondary interest is New York Central 1957-67 and a small post WWII 1946 train set that can go back to 1940 or forward to 1952.
Fictional railroad of the G.N.O. Railway will be located in the 80s since I don't have to worry about ditch lights since a lot of manufacturers don't offer them. I need to get equipment and paint them. If my railroad doesn't exist then I will have some decorated freight cars on other railroads.
I model NYC/PC/CR 1920s up to 1990s and Amtrak from 1971 through '90 or so. If a newer or older train catches my fancy, I'll model that too. Life is too short to stick to one era. Run what you want! :)
The OP likes Conrail and Metra, so, either when they both existed, or even modern day.
I can say this as Conrail does still technically exist, but only in a couple of metro areas that could not be evenly divided between CSX & NS.
IIRC, Chi-town is one... I know Philly is.
If you like modern era, but older power, DL, LA&L, B&H and WNYP all operate ALCO and MLW power on almost all of their trains, still in 2019. (WNYP has now bit the bullet and acquired a few GE AC units now however, so 6 axle ALCO and MLW power on that line has its days numbered...) And, other short lines like BP, OC, WLE, and others all have older EMD/GE power on their modern trains.
Just a thought....
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.