Showcasing more modern-era layouts?

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I have been meaning to post this topic since finishing Great Model Railraods 2004. As a young model railroader (age 25), I enjoy traveling back to the steam-era, but long to see more layouts showcasing modern power, freight, a buildings.

There were only two layouts featuring "modern" power. I have to admit, I was a little bit overwhelmed by all the steam and early diesels and found myself wondering how layouts are selected.

Just an observation that I hope would be considered. Perhaps I am alone...

Shawn

[Dough]

I agree. I think that a lot of people enjoy modeling what they grew up with. I am a young modeler as well, and I like to do modern layouts. I feel about SD40-2s and 6000hp engines the same way that many people feel about Alcos and Big Boys. Of course I'm still interested in the old, but just not in the same way as what I grew up with.

[IRONROOSTER]

I think this is a reflection of what most people are modeling. The steam/diesel era of the late 40's to late 50's will remain the most popular era for some time to come, even among many younger people. There is something fascinating about a steam loco that attracts people. It also represents the last of passenger service by the railroads before Amtrak. And it does have the early diesels. The more subtle problem is that the modern engines and cars are bigger / longer and require larger radius curves. This makes it harder to get a layout going in a minimum space and may lead to N scale becoming the favorite of modern modelers. But as more modern layouts get built, I think you will see more coverage. MR and other mags are dependent on what people are modeling and thus what is available for them to include.
Enjoy
Paul

[CNJ831]

I have to totally agree with Paul. If one looks at the statistics/breakdown of the percentage of modelers per given era, you quickly find that the late steam era or steam-to-diesel transition still encompasses more than 60% of all model railroaders. Post-1990 enthusiasts are about equal in number to those modeling pre-WWI, so you can't expect much of a selection for the magazines to draw from...nor expect such articles to appeal to the widest possible audience that MR, et al, are looking for. Eventually (perhaps a decade or so from now) I'm sure that layouts set in the post-1980 era will probably be much more the norm. But until the vast majority of older guys in the hobby who remember or love steam with a passion pass from the scene the situation is unlikely to change very much.

CNJ831

[Jetrock]

Another thing to consider is that as folks age they tend to get a little misty about older things. I was a diesel fan with little interest in steam or electric when I was a kid in the 70's and early 80's, but gained an appreciation for such things as I've grown older. Spending time in the hobby will expose one to older stuff, and its charm rubs off with time and attention.

The "transition era" has been popular for a long time because of the obvious attraction of being able to run diesels and steam (and electrics" and will probably remain so--even as all-steam layouts will fade, the kids who grew up with third-generation diesels will probably wax nostalgic about the final generation of steam the same way folks 50 years ago got nostalgic about 4-4-0 woodburners and Pullman Palace cars, but could still see steam engines and coverered wagons chuffing through town.

[Anonymous]

As I get older, I'm going the other way from an appreciation of steam to a greater appreciation for modern equipment.

I would like to make a prediction here. The layouts that feature today's equipment is most likely going to be an N scale layout. The larger and longer modern equipment dwarfs many basement layouts that are dedicated to the steam era. Can you imagine two SD90's lashed to 25 AutoMAX's, center beams and articulated intermodal; do you know how long that train would be in HO? You can do that same layout in N in a much smaller area. HO is a good steam/diesel transition era scale, N is a better modern scale.

[Anonymous]

i agree.i am a new member.

[Anonymous]

I agree that N will be the modern-modeller's secret weapon. I made the HO to N switch over the summer and things fit much better! I look forward to seeing those N scale, modern empires. Or HO if someone has the room for them.

I guess for me it has been a matter of flipping through and seeing those Big Boys staring at me and longing to see their modern offspring instead.

[Anonymous]

Even though I'm into the transition era, I still agree with you guys. I'd like to do a modern layout in N scale. With N there'd be lots of room for N and modern equiptment is easy to find in N. Hmm, there's a possibility............

[AggroJones]

I grew up near the modern era and feel some atttachment to it. But this is over powered by 1st generation diesels and steamers. Thats why I model the transition era. [8D]

[electromotive]

I grew up in the late steam era 194-1950's My Dad worked on all these units..
they were great. But what do I model? Everything from the 70's to the latest AC4000's...............

I just love the new diesel power...
One man's opinion..

MR reader from 1962...

[eastcoast]

I grew up in the 70's to current. I feel it is easier to model
what I know as I was growing up. Actually, I model the turn of
the new millenium 1999-2001. Not much change , but good to
narrow it down a bit. But ,still able to have some fun.

[Anonymous]

Even though I am 30 years old, I love the steam to diesel era. Yes, I grew up in the late 70s and though the 80s, but to me, its the fun of recreating history. Yes thers a chalenge, because I was not there to see it first had, but its a wounderful chalenge. I have discovered a ton of pictures and books, learned a lot of history. I mean who dose not love discovering the past?? The modern trains of today are fun to watch things change way to fast.
Jay