Favorite Railroad Decade

[prewardude]

I voted for the 1920's. I don't know why, but I love everything about that decade - including the railroads of the era. By the way, I'm only 34 and I've felt this way since I was in my late teens (go figure). Maybe I'm just odd!

[Wdlgln005]

Us "older" types might try to remember an era/ decade:
Before all the flags started falling Wabash -NKP
Colorful era of diesel equipment with all those different roads
Passenger trains operated by the railroads no Amtrak yet. Big killer when mail & RPO removed from the rails, few interstate highways built/completed.
Caboose on freight. No EOT device.
Most important, we & our parents were younger then. Bring our grandparents back to go fishing one more time! Or go down to the station & watch trains go by.

[Wdlgln005]

Us "older" types might try to remember an era/ decade:
Before all the flags started falling Wabash -NKP
Colorful era of diesel equipment with all those different roads
Passenger trains operated by the railroads no Amtrak yet. Big killer when mail & RPO removed from the rails, few interstate highways built/completed.
Caboose on freight. No EOT device.
Most important, we & our parents were younger then. Bring our grandparents back to go fishing one more time! Or go down to the station & watch trains go by.

[AltonFan]

ISTM, most railroad eras do not cleanly coincide with decades. The transition between steam and diesel didn't really get underway until after World War II, and was mostly completed by 1954; rather few railroads were still regularly and widely dispatching steam after that, and then it was because they couldn't buy diesels fast enough. OTOH, railroads continued to operate through the 1970s pretty much as they had in the 1920s. The 1930s saw the end of the interurbans and many of the vestiges of turn-of-the-century railroading.

[AltonFan]

ISTM, most railroad eras do not cleanly coincide with decades. The transition between steam and diesel didn't really get underway until after World War II, and was mostly completed by 1954; rather few railroads were still regularly and widely dispatching steam after that, and then it was because they couldn't buy diesels fast enough. OTOH, railroads continued to operate through the 1970s pretty much as they had in the 1920s. The 1930s saw the end of the interurbans and many of the vestiges of turn-of-the-century railroading.

[Anonymous]

Oh Man, it's tough to narrow it down to a single decade, since I consider myself a true fan and can find something of interest in nearly anything rail related.

But I've got to go with the 1970's, even though the industry nearly died.

I was old enough to appreciate the "old stuff" that was still around and take decent photos of things like steam heated passenger equipment... MU's from the Coolidge adminstration in northern NJ... The last days of the Lehigh Valley, EL, etc...

E8, F7 and Alco diesels were still common... Had a summer job at Glacier National Park and could watch the BN in action... An Amtrak USA unlimited rail pass cost 165 bucks... Rode in original NP vista domes and high level coaches built for El Cap... Took the SR's Southern Crescent from DC to New Orleans...

I could go on and on... MCFarrand

[Anonymous]

Oh Man, it's tough to narrow it down to a single decade, since I consider myself a true fan and can find something of interest in nearly anything rail related.

But I've got to go with the 1970's, even though the industry nearly died.

I was old enough to appreciate the "old stuff" that was still around and take decent photos of things like steam heated passenger equipment... MU's from the Coolidge adminstration in northern NJ... The last days of the Lehigh Valley, EL, etc...

E8, F7 and Alco diesels were still common... Had a summer job at Glacier National Park and could watch the BN in action... An Amtrak USA unlimited rail pass cost 165 bucks... Rode in original NP vista domes and high level coaches built for El Cap... Took the SR's Southern Crescent from DC to New Orleans...

I could go on and on... MCFarrand

[BentnoseWillie]

The 90's. Shortlines starting to emerge in Canada (inlcuding my "pet" road), new locomotive technologies emerging, and lots of heritage power around. Heck, CP and CN's MLW's even made it into the late 90's!

[BentnoseWillie]

The 90's. Shortlines starting to emerge in Canada (inlcuding my "pet" road), new locomotive technologies emerging, and lots of heritage power around. Heck, CP and CN's MLW's even made it into the late 90's!

[Anonymous]

This poll seems to be the catalyst for another forum started the day after this poll was started. A forum that attacks us old and young nostalgic types. Too bad people can't just have fun with the poll as it was intented.

By the way, if you haven't taken the poll, please do so, and tell us your reasons for your favorite railroad decade.

Stay Safe, and Look, Listen, and LIVE

Don't Forget the Troops

[Anonymous]

This poll seems to be the catalyst for another forum started the day after this poll was started. A forum that attacks us old and young nostalgic types. Too bad people can't just have fun with the poll as it was intented.

By the way, if you haven't taken the poll, please do so, and tell us your reasons for your favorite railroad decade.

Stay Safe, and Look, Listen, and LIVE

Don't Forget the Troops

[Trainnut484]

I say decades. My favorite time frame was from the late 1930's thru the mid 1960's. Alot of great trains graced those times, and railroading's greatest, and worst, moments happened during those times.

[Trainnut484]

I say decades. My favorite time frame was from the late 1930's thru the mid 1960's. Alot of great trains graced those times, and railroading's greatest, and worst, moments happened during those times.

[Anonymous]

I have to vote for the 1940s. Steam was still king but rrs were sampling diesel power.
When UP ordered the Big Boys they really wanted diesel power but because of the war production board they had to settle for steam engines. Toward the last of the 40s many railroads were testing and ordering diesels. I was not born at this time but it would have been an exciting time to railfan because you could have both steam and diesel power to see. And let's not forget--many railroads still ran passenger trains and after the war bought new equipment and were still passenger friendly.

The 50s might have also been an interesting time. By 52 to 53 steam was being replaced quickly and the railroads were buying diesels from anyone who made them.
So the power pool was vast and photo ops plenty.

[Anonymous]

I have to vote for the 1940s. Steam was still king but rrs were sampling diesel power.
When UP ordered the Big Boys they really wanted diesel power but because of the war production board they had to settle for steam engines. Toward the last of the 40s many railroads were testing and ordering diesels. I was not born at this time but it would have been an exciting time to railfan because you could have both steam and diesel power to see. And let's not forget--many railroads still ran passenger trains and after the war bought new equipment and were still passenger friendly.

The 50s might have also been an interesting time. By 52 to 53 steam was being replaced quickly and the railroads were buying diesels from anyone who made them.
So the power pool was vast and photo ops plenty.

[Anonymous]

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT [:D]


I have just created a time machine. (Yes, I have. And the swamp land is Arizona is selling for $2,500 an acre. How many acres do you want?)

This Fantasy Time Machine will transport railfans and railroaders back to any decade they want to see or live in. Your Choice! Please choose one decade and post your reasons for that time span.

I believe the "baby boomers" will probally choose the 50s or the 60s, but they might opt for the 40s. The younger crowd might choose a more recent decade. It will be fun to see which decade prevails and why.

The poll is set up for only one choice so pick your favorite. You can add your second choice, if you have one, in your written comments to the poll.

Special Thanks to ironhorseman (Jeff) for his help. [:)]

[Anonymous]

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT [:D]


I have just created a time machine. (Yes, I have. And the swamp land is Arizona is selling for $2,500 an acre. How many acres do you want?)

This Fantasy Time Machine will transport railfans and railroaders back to any decade they want to see or live in. Your Choice! Please choose one decade and post your reasons for that time span.

I believe the "baby boomers" will probally choose the 50s or the 60s, but they might opt for the 40s. The younger crowd might choose a more recent decade. It will be fun to see which decade prevails and why.

The poll is set up for only one choice so pick your favorite. You can add your second choice, if you have one, in your written comments to the poll.

Special Thanks to ironhorseman (Jeff) for his help. [:)]