what time frame do you model?

[twhite]

Voted '30 to '50, but for me the time frame is closer to 1942-53. All big steam, though there's a rumor afoot about one of those new-fangled 'self-propelled' engines that's called an Alco PA, or something like that, and that the Rio Grande is going to institute something called a 'streamliner' between Denver and Oakland via my Rio Grande Yuba Subdivision. And dome-cars, whatever they are. They said they're going to call it the PROSPECTOR DELUXE. Oh well, just as long as it doesn't interfere with my articulateds.

[twhite]

Voted '30 to '50, but for me the time frame is closer to 1942-53. All big steam, though there's a rumor afoot about one of those new-fangled 'self-propelled' engines that's called an Alco PA, or something like that, and that the Rio Grande is going to institute something called a 'streamliner' between Denver and Oakland via my Rio Grande Yuba Subdivision. And dome-cars, whatever they are. They said they're going to call it the PROSPECTOR DELUXE. Oh well, just as long as it doesn't interfere with my articulateds.

[JPowell]

80's - present (or so I'm hoping for)

[JPowell]

80's - present (or so I'm hoping for)

[johncolley]

I picked 30 to 50's but I actually model '47/'48 GN in the Cascades

[johncolley]

I picked 30 to 50's but I actually model '47/'48 GN in the Cascades

[Fergmiester]

Fall 1962. The last stand of steam in Eastern Canada.

[Fergmiester]

Fall 1962. The last stand of steam in Eastern Canada.

[railman]

A Milwaukee fan that takes the year liberally...steamers live alongside double stack containers...always can explain it away by calling it an "excursion" trip.

[railman]

A Milwaukee fan that takes the year liberally...steamers live alongside double stack containers...always can explain it away by calling it an "excursion" trip.

[easyaces]

I like modeling the present time frame, since my layout is freelanced and its a small regional that interchanges with all of the larger roads of my area.

[easyaces]

I like modeling the present time frame, since my layout is freelanced and its a small regional that interchanges with all of the larger roads of my area.

[Anonymous]

It appears the 30's-50's have it so far. That makes a lot of sense because of the wide range of locos (diesel and steam) and rolling stock (standard and streamline- -journals to roller bearing trucks- -40' to 70' freight, piggy back, etc.). One of the few comments I've noticed on "traction" came from "Doug in Utah." As a "rule of thumb," M.R.'s are not particularly interested in a mix of traction (i.e. street cars, interurban or over-head wire in general) with their "high iron" operations. Well, the 30's to 50's era affords you that "mix" if you opt to take advantage of it. From the 20's to the early 50's just about every town with over 50,000 population (or so) had street rail transportation of some description. If they didn't have street cars (trollys, trams), they almost asuredly had interurban connections to the larger cites. These large, heavy weight cars ran singly or M.U. (multiple units) right down "main street" U.S.A., much as subway or elevated trains now do on islolated tracks. Electrified "over head" wire systems would find "steeple cab" locos doing freight operations on short lines all over America. The truth is that electric (traction) railroading has been around a lot longer than diesel and steam combined. There are obvious advantatges of traction in model railroading: much tighter radii curves, double ended cars allows "point-to-point" operation (no reverse loops needed), passenger "lash-ups" require no laborious shunting or switching operations; both rural and urban operations are possible in a limited space. On the "down side," there is that pesky overhead wire to tackle. It isn't for ereyone because it takes a lot of patience and a fair amount of skill. If current is to be fed through the wire, it will demand good soldering skills and extra maintenance chores. Of course, standard D.C. track feed is no different from normal layout operations and usually the preferred method. If anyone is interested in adding that "final finishing touch" to a H.O. pike; opting for a simple point-to-point meet at the train station could be the answer. A single truck Birney (street car) with double trolly poles could operate in the space that only a three-lane street would require. This is just a thought for folks who may want a two week end project. I can testify that it can be a challange and a loads of fun. Oh yes, for realism, do your own overhead wire...most of the "off the shelf" stuff is ludicrous and expensive. Happy railroading all.

[Anonymous]

It appears the 30's-50's have it so far. That makes a lot of sense because of the wide range of locos (diesel and steam) and rolling stock (standard and streamline- -journals to roller bearing trucks- -40' to 70' freight, piggy back, etc.). One of the few comments I've noticed on "traction" came from "Doug in Utah." As a "rule of thumb," M.R.'s are not particularly interested in a mix of traction (i.e. street cars, interurban or over-head wire in general) with their "high iron" operations. Well, the 30's to 50's era affords you that "mix" if you opt to take advantage of it. From the 20's to the early 50's just about every town with over 50,000 population (or so) had street rail transportation of some description. If they didn't have street cars (trollys, trams), they almost asuredly had interurban connections to the larger cites. These large, heavy weight cars ran singly or M.U. (multiple units) right down "main street" U.S.A., much as subway or elevated trains now do on islolated tracks. Electrified "over head" wire systems would find "steeple cab" locos doing freight operations on short lines all over America. The truth is that electric (traction) railroading has been around a lot longer than diesel and steam combined. There are obvious advantatges of traction in model railroading: much tighter radii curves, double ended cars allows "point-to-point" operation (no reverse loops needed), passenger "lash-ups" require no laborious shunting or switching operations; both rural and urban operations are possible in a limited space. On the "down side," there is that pesky overhead wire to tackle. It isn't for ereyone because it takes a lot of patience and a fair amount of skill. If current is to be fed through the wire, it will demand good soldering skills and extra maintenance chores. Of course, standard D.C. track feed is no different from normal layout operations and usually the preferred method. If anyone is interested in adding that "final finishing touch" to a H.O. pike; opting for a simple point-to-point meet at the train station could be the answer. A single truck Birney (street car) with double trolly poles could operate in the space that only a three-lane street would require. This is just a thought for folks who may want a two week end project. I can testify that it can be a challange and a loads of fun. Oh yes, for realism, do your own overhead wire...most of the "off the shelf" stuff is ludicrous and expensive. Happy railroading all.

[Anonymous]

Late '80s to 90's. I plan to model the CB&Q as if it never merged into BN or BNSF. I also might model KCS and ATSF.

[Anonymous]

Late '80s to 90's. I plan to model the CB&Q as if it never merged into BN or BNSF. I also might model KCS and ATSF.

[Anonymous]

Mid-late 50's Santa Fa, when F-units and zebra striped diesels ruled. Though I sometimes slip into the early 60's, when the zebra's were converted to the first blue & yellow scheme.

[Anonymous]

Mid-late 50's Santa Fa, when F-units and zebra striped diesels ruled. Though I sometimes slip into the early 60's, when the zebra's were converted to the first blue & yellow scheme.

[Anonymous]

I prefer the 1990-Present time frame it's alot easier to do research

[Anonymous]

I prefer the 1990-Present time frame it's alot easier to do research

[eastcoast]

The ECR time period begins in the 70's and runs to the
current day. My motto " ...into the future!!!" reflects where
the project is going. I model a pretty modern era.

[eastcoast]

The ECR time period begins in the 70's and runs to the
current day. My motto " ...into the future!!!" reflects where
the project is going. I model a pretty modern era.

[Anonymous]

Present day, at a fictional museum. Having said that, when operating the museum's fleet of preserved locos and cars the only clues to the time period are the road vehicles and clothing, and some of our staff like to dress up in period costumes (as with many real museums). 2004 or 1954? sometimes it's hard to tell!

[Anonymous]

Present day, at a fictional museum. Having said that, when operating the museum's fleet of preserved locos and cars the only clues to the time period are the road vehicles and clothing, and some of our staff like to dress up in period costumes (as with many real museums). 2004 or 1954? sometimes it's hard to tell!

[mikebonellisr]

At one point I was all over the place with my modeling.Steam and diesel of many lines and era's.I've now gotten down to NYCentral in 1958...(mostly).It's a lot more fun for me to try to duplicate a era that I'm familiar with.

[mikebonellisr]

At one point I was all over the place with my modeling.Steam and diesel of many lines and era's.I've now gotten down to NYCentral in 1958...(mostly).It's a lot more fun for me to try to duplicate a era that I'm familiar with.

[Anonymous]

Trying to model a time frame between 1930 and 1942 on the IC in Tenn,Ms,La.Because
wifes G'father worked for IC from 1898-1942

[Anonymous]

Trying to model a time frame between 1930 and 1942 on the IC in Tenn,Ms,La.Because
wifes G'father worked for IC from 1898-1942

[JerryZeman]

Eastern Washington / Northern Idaho, 1952. The Spokane Southern is a bridge railroad jointly owned by the Great Northern and Northern Pacific.

The Spokane Southern runs south to Craig Colorado, and interchange with the Rio Grande. After the railroad was named, another line was built up to the Okanagon, and interchanges with the Alberta Pacific at Oyosoos, BC.

Most of the on-line traffic originates in the Salmon River mountains where several lumber companies rape, whoops, sorry, harvest, the timber. Several sawmills exist on-line, as well as a large USS Steel mill in Bessemer, which is southeast of Spokane. The mill was built during the war to supply steel to the west coast shipbuilding industry.

Yea, I know, pretty flimzy cover story, but it was the best I could come up with to justify running GN, NP, and the occasional Rio Grande locomotive on the railway.

regards,
Jerry Zeman

[JerryZeman]

Eastern Washington / Northern Idaho, 1952. The Spokane Southern is a bridge railroad jointly owned by the Great Northern and Northern Pacific.

The Spokane Southern runs south to Craig Colorado, and interchange with the Rio Grande. After the railroad was named, another line was built up to the Okanagon, and interchanges with the Alberta Pacific at Oyosoos, BC.

Most of the on-line traffic originates in the Salmon River mountains where several lumber companies rape, whoops, sorry, harvest, the timber. Several sawmills exist on-line, as well as a large USS Steel mill in Bessemer, which is southeast of Spokane. The mill was built during the war to supply steel to the west coast shipbuilding industry.

Yea, I know, pretty flimzy cover story, but it was the best I could come up with to justify running GN, NP, and the occasional Rio Grande locomotive on the railway.

regards,
Jerry Zeman