Favorite Railroad Decade

[Yampa2003]

I voted for the 1960's but it actually starts at the end of the 50's and go's into the early 70's. The variety and color schemes is immense.
Brian

[Yampa2003]

I voted for the 1960's but it actually starts at the end of the 50's and go's into the early 70's. The variety and color schemes is immense.
Brian

[Anonymous]

Although I rode behind steam (NYC's James Whitcomb Riley, Indianapolis-Chicago) in the late '50s, I chose the '60s.

During that decade I rode the El Capitan (twice), City of Los Angeles, D&RGW's Durango-to-Silverton line (while it was still a working railroad owned by Rio Grande) and countless "San Diegans" on the AT&SF between San Diego and Orange County/L.A. I will never forget the trains I saw in Chicago during layovers--especially the Panama Limited! Also saw GM&O, Rock Island, Burlington etc.

And as others have posted:
--Passenger service was still a reasonable option for long-distance travel.
--Many of today's "fallen flags" were still in operation.
--Head-end traffic was an important part of passenger train makeup (and it was still possible to see mail trains)!
--The caboose would be around as long as freight trains existed. Or so we thought!

[Anonymous]

Although I rode behind steam (NYC's James Whitcomb Riley, Indianapolis-Chicago) in the late '50s, I chose the '60s.

During that decade I rode the El Capitan (twice), City of Los Angeles, D&RGW's Durango-to-Silverton line (while it was still a working railroad owned by Rio Grande) and countless "San Diegans" on the AT&SF between San Diego and Orange County/L.A. I will never forget the trains I saw in Chicago during layovers--especially the Panama Limited! Also saw GM&O, Rock Island, Burlington etc.

And as others have posted:
--Passenger service was still a reasonable option for long-distance travel.
--Many of today's "fallen flags" were still in operation.
--Head-end traffic was an important part of passenger train makeup (and it was still possible to see mail trains)!
--The caboose would be around as long as freight trains existed. Or so we thought!

[Anonymous]

I voted for the 70 's born in the 50's got the chance to see trains in the 60's and rode a few never got to see steamers.It was great to see 2nd generation diesels open auto racks and a caboose every now and then.

[Anonymous]

I voted for the 70 's born in the 50's got the chance to see trains in the 60's and rode a few never got to see steamers.It was great to see 2nd generation diesels open auto racks and a caboose every now and then.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tarwheel38

I voted for the 70 's born in the 50's got the chance to see trains in the 60's and rode a few never got to see steamers.It was great to see 2nd generation diesels open auto racks and a caboose every now and then.

We think in common. Cabooses "MAKE" a freight train a freight train. Something just doesn't look right about a freight train without a caboose. When we were used to seeing a freight train with a caboose and suddenly they were gone it just wasn't right. [|)]

If you haven't taken the poll please do. [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tarwheel38

I voted for the 70 's born in the 50's got the chance to see trains in the 60's and rode a few never got to see steamers.It was great to see 2nd generation diesels open auto racks and a caboose every now and then.

We think in common. Cabooses "MAKE" a freight train a freight train. Something just doesn't look right about a freight train without a caboose. When we were used to seeing a freight train with a caboose and suddenly they were gone it just wasn't right. [|)]

If you haven't taken the poll please do. [:)]

[Anonymous]

hands down it's got to be 1880 with all of activity all over the midwest. rail history of the midwest is complex but fun to read

[Anonymous]

hands down it's got to be 1880 with all of activity all over the midwest. rail history of the midwest is complex but fun to read

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nickleplate765

hands down it's got to be 1880 with all of activity all over the midwest. rail history of the midwest is complex but fun to read

The 1880 would have certainly been an interesting time. I really do like the 4 4 0 locos. There were many made and had a variety of looks about them. Yes it would have been something to see. Don't forget way out west either. That would have been something. [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nickleplate765

hands down it's got to be 1880 with all of activity all over the midwest. rail history of the midwest is complex but fun to read

The 1880 would have certainly been an interesting time. I really do like the 4 4 0 locos. There were many made and had a variety of looks about them. Yes it would have been something to see. Don't forget way out west either. That would have been something. [:)]

[David3]

I was forced to vote for 2000 because I wasn't really around during any of the other years, and plus I just like the way these locomotives sound, look, and operate.[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[David3]

I was forced to vote for 2000 because I wasn't really around during any of the other years, and plus I just like the way these locomotives sound, look, and operate.[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

The 70's were great! I grew up near the Southern Railway in Georgia and constantly seen a mixture of diesel lash ups; Alco's, F units, SD's and those beautifil Green and White E8's used on the Southern Crescent passenger trains. I loved the rolling stock often seen pulled on the line; Penn Central, Reading, L & N, Soo Line, Illinois Central Gulf, Central of Georgia, SCL, and all the great Southern cars!

All railroad decades are great, but the 70's stay in my mind.

Ricky Wilson

[Anonymous]

The 70's were great! I grew up near the Southern Railway in Georgia and constantly seen a mixture of diesel lash ups; Alco's, F units, SD's and those beautifil Green and White E8's used on the Southern Crescent passenger trains. I loved the rolling stock often seen pulled on the line; Penn Central, Reading, L & N, Soo Line, Illinois Central Gulf, Central of Georgia, SCL, and all the great Southern cars!

All railroad decades are great, but the 70's stay in my mind.

Ricky Wilson

[Anonymous]

I had to choose the 1940's on this one. Actually, I like everything from the mid 1920's to just into the 1950's, but the 40's is where its at for me. The spirit of the country with WWII, the gradual ending of the depression and loads of great trains and big steam locomotives. By the way, I'm not a baby-boomer either. I'm only 27 years old. There was still romance with the railroads and the great companies that built this nations rail system were still in existence on their own. NYC, PENN, B&O, SF, C&O, Burlington, GN, NP, many more I can't recall at the moment, and an endless list of smaller roads still holding their own. What a time for railroading!

[Anonymous]

I had to choose the 1940's on this one. Actually, I like everything from the mid 1920's to just into the 1950's, but the 40's is where its at for me. The spirit of the country with WWII, the gradual ending of the depression and loads of great trains and big steam locomotives. By the way, I'm not a baby-boomer either. I'm only 27 years old. There was still romance with the railroads and the great companies that built this nations rail system were still in existence on their own. NYC, PENN, B&O, SF, C&O, Burlington, GN, NP, many more I can't recall at the moment, and an endless list of smaller roads still holding their own. What a time for railroading!

[Anonymous]

When I was very young my mother took me to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Limited from the Fullerton, CA, depot. It was a steam train with green Pullman coaches. While I've traveled the rails many times over the years, memories of that era stand out in my mind. Trips to Los Angeles in the big Red Cars and a ride on a Santa Fe yard switcher as a five year old are some of the fond memories I keep. I vote for the forties with all its colorful transitions.

[Anonymous]

When I was very young my mother took me to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Limited from the Fullerton, CA, depot. It was a steam train with green Pullman coaches. While I've traveled the rails many times over the years, memories of that era stand out in my mind. Trips to Los Angeles in the big Red Cars and a ride on a Santa Fe yard switcher as a five year old are some of the fond memories I keep. I vote for the forties with all its colorful transitions.

[Anonymous]

While I wasn't born in the 1940's, I picked it as my favorite. Steam was still plentiful, Diesels were coming into their own, The related industries still existed, and all of my favorite railroads were still running and turning a profit.

[Anonymous]

While I wasn't born in the 1940's, I picked it as my favorite. Steam was still plentiful, Diesels were coming into their own, The related industries still existed, and all of my favorite railroads were still running and turning a profit.

[brilondon]

[:)]My favourite railway decade is/was the [8D]1970's[8D]. I really liked the ecclectic[:p] collection of locomotives every railroad seem to aquire. I realize that railroading was in a [xx(]funk[xx(] but that just made it more [:o)]interesting for me as railways had to come up with inovative ways to power their trains as they were all going [xx(]broke[xx(] and could not afford to buy new locomotives. Today the railroads are all[:)] look-a-like[:)] with only their paint schemes differentiating each other. In the 1970's there were so many diferent types of locomotives. The FM's and trainmasters were on their way out and EMD were becoming the most dominent locomotive builder with ALCO close behind.

[brilondon]

[:)]My favourite railway decade is/was the [8D]1970's[8D]. I really liked the ecclectic[:p] collection of locomotives every railroad seem to aquire. I realize that railroading was in a [xx(]funk[xx(] but that just made it more [:o)]interesting for me as railways had to come up with inovative ways to power their trains as they were all going [xx(]broke[xx(] and could not afford to buy new locomotives. Today the railroads are all[:)] look-a-like[:)] with only their paint schemes differentiating each other. In the 1970's there were so many diferent types of locomotives. The FM's and trainmasters were on their way out and EMD were becoming the most dominent locomotive builder with ALCO close behind.

[OhioRailroader]

I chose the 60's, but only as a happy median, lol. I would actually prefer the 40's-80's during most of that time, roads were changing and absorbing into other roads. A long span, but a lot changed. Most of the bigger roads now just aren't as "colorful" as they used to be then.

[OhioRailroader]

I chose the 60's, but only as a happy median, lol. I would actually prefer the 40's-80's during most of that time, roads were changing and absorbing into other roads. A long span, but a lot changed. Most of the bigger roads now just aren't as "colorful" as they used to be then.

[brilondon]

[:p][:p]Did I forget to mention that the trains of the seventies[;)] also had a [:p][:D]caboose[8D][8D] at the end of every train. ( except of course passenger trains ) Now you are lucky if you can catch a yard transfer with a caboose on it. [:D]They really do make a train.[:D][8D]

[brilondon]

[:p][:p]Did I forget to mention that the trains of the seventies[;)] also had a [:p][:D]caboose[8D][8D] at the end of every train. ( except of course passenger trains ) Now you are lucky if you can catch a yard transfer with a caboose on it. [:D]They really do make a train.[:D][8D]

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for taking the poll. There have been some interesting comments. The 1940s, 50s, and 60s are locked in a heated battle.

If you have not taken the poll please do. Please don't forget to leave your comments.

Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for taking the poll. There have been some interesting comments. The 1940s, 50s, and 60s are locked in a heated battle.

If you have not taken the poll please do. Please don't forget to leave your comments.

Thanks again.