Favorite Railroad Decade

[Anonymous]

80 people have taken the poll, have you? [?]

[Anonymous]

80 people have taken the poll, have you? [?]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT


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.

Actully me being 13 I chose the 50's because it was time to shine for diesels but it was the last battleing grounds for the good ol' STEAM. I would of loved being a kid back then to see streamlined diesel and and power house steam locomotives pulling mile long trains.[:)]

Thems was the good ol' days. [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT


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.

Actully me being 13 I chose the 50's because it was time to shine for diesels but it was the last battleing grounds for the good ol' STEAM. I would of loved being a kid back then to see streamlined diesel and and power house steam locomotives pulling mile long trains.[:)]

Thems was the good ol' days. [:)]

[Anonymous]

for me, my fave is the 1940's. this the decade where steam reached its apex and at the same time, diesels were beginning their ascendancy.[:D]

[Anonymous]

for me, my fave is the 1940's. this the decade where steam reached its apex and at the same time, diesels were beginning their ascendancy.[:D]

[IRONROOSTER]

Well, I seem to be the only vote for 1900. I like this decade because it is when most of the railroads had taken shape, the locomotives were still uncluttered but moving into bigger versions, the steel freight cars were coming, but wood dominated. Railroads went every where and were still the dominant land transportation, abandonments had not started. Trollys and interurbans had not yet felt the pressure of the automobile.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

Well, I seem to be the only vote for 1900. I like this decade because it is when most of the railroads had taken shape, the locomotives were still uncluttered but moving into bigger versions, the steel freight cars were coming, but wood dominated. Railroads went every where and were still the dominant land transportation, abandonments had not started. Trollys and interurbans had not yet felt the pressure of the automobile.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

I would have to say the 60's that is what I grew up in.Lot;s of changes since then. Lindy1[:)] I got to see alot of differnt change in power during that time . I am a fan of both steam and deisel.[:D].[:(]To bad that the Reading,PRR,Lehigh Valley,Erie,D@H and other are gone. At that time in my life I never thought of tha changes to come[:(] would hit so close to home.The time of taking pictures is gone for ever. Both myself and father never dreamed of taking pictures of the Reading ,Which I could see from my parents house.Hind sight who knew?[?][?][?]

[Anonymous]

I would have to say the 60's that is what I grew up in.Lot;s of changes since then. Lindy1[:)] I got to see alot of differnt change in power during that time . I am a fan of both steam and deisel.[:D].[:(]To bad that the Reading,PRR,Lehigh Valley,Erie,D@H and other are gone. At that time in my life I never thought of tha changes to come[:(] would hit so close to home.The time of taking pictures is gone for ever. Both myself and father never dreamed of taking pictures of the Reading ,Which I could see from my parents house.Hind sight who knew?[?][?][?]

[Anonymous]

The sixties is my favorite. My dad worked for the D & H railroad in Oneonta, N.Y. when I was growing up.It was said it had the biggest round house in the world back then.The briges were already old. Riding over the old noisy bridge was always a hoot. when you're a kid. The foot bridge was always fun too.A great place to see everything.They're both gone now..So as far as a train set go, bridges are my favorite accessory..

[Anonymous]

The sixties is my favorite. My dad worked for the D & H railroad in Oneonta, N.Y. when I was growing up.It was said it had the biggest round house in the world back then.The briges were already old. Riding over the old noisy bridge was always a hoot. when you're a kid. The foot bridge was always fun too.A great place to see everything.They're both gone now..So as far as a train set go, bridges are my favorite accessory..

[Anonymous]

Wow, 97 people have now taken the Favorite Decade Poll. It is still a heated race. Have you voted? Come on now, it will just take a minute. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Wow, 97 people have now taken the Favorite Decade Poll. It is still a heated race. Have you voted? Come on now, it will just take a minute. [:)]

[vsmith]

I'm kinda split,

1950's for big class 1 lines, they were at there hieght.

1920's for narrow gauge, before the long slow decline after the depression.

But I would love to see what railroading was like in the 1840's to 1850's. This era of innovation and growth is almost non existant photographicly, very little remains and it was at a time when railroads were beginning to have the a tremendous impact on the shape of the country. In 1840 there were few miles of track in the US, by the time the Civil War starts, all northern cities and most southern cities are connected by rail. It would really be something to see a snapshot of this era.

[vsmith]

I'm kinda split,

1950's for big class 1 lines, they were at there hieght.

1920's for narrow gauge, before the long slow decline after the depression.

But I would love to see what railroading was like in the 1840's to 1850's. This era of innovation and growth is almost non existant photographicly, very little remains and it was at a time when railroads were beginning to have the a tremendous impact on the shape of the country. In 1840 there were few miles of track in the US, by the time the Civil War starts, all northern cities and most southern cities are connected by rail. It would really be something to see a snapshot of this era.

[Anonymous]

I know we have a lot of new people who may not have seen The Favorite Decade Poll. Many people have taken the poll, 108 so far. If you have not taken the poll please do. [:)]

[Anonymous]

I know we have a lot of new people who may not have seen The Favorite Decade Poll. Many people have taken the poll, 108 so far. If you have not taken the poll please do. [:)]

[Anonymous]

While I agree that my favorite hobby time period would be decades, I grew up in the 50's and therefore am most failiar with that timeframe on a personal basis. Growing up in a railroad town (Bloomington, IL) made it all the more exciting as I saw the end of steam on the IC, NYC and NKP but newer diesels and trains on those roads and the GM&O.

[Anonymous]

While I agree that my favorite hobby time period would be decades, I grew up in the 50's and therefore am most failiar with that timeframe on a personal basis. Growing up in a railroad town (Bloomington, IL) made it all the more exciting as I saw the end of steam on the IC, NYC and NKP but newer diesels and trains on those roads and the GM&O.

[Anonymous]

The Favorite Railroad Decade Poll now has 120 votes. WOW, thanks to everyone who has taken the poll. Thank you for making comments and sharing them with us. If you have not taken the poll please do. [:)]

[Anonymous]

The Favorite Railroad Decade Poll now has 120 votes. WOW, thanks to everyone who has taken the poll. Thank you for making comments and sharing them with us. If you have not taken the poll please do. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Hm..Hard choice. I like steam, but I think my real love is with deisel. So, I'd choose this era, But I'd like for railroads to have the business and be seen in the public eye like in the 50's and 60's.

[Anonymous]

Hm..Hard choice. I like steam, but I think my real love is with deisel. So, I'd choose this era, But I'd like for railroads to have the business and be seen in the public eye like in the 50's and 60's.

[Anonymous]

Being a former Milwaukee Road employee you can't beat the 70's. We were just recovering from a Hangover called the "Burlington Northern", the end of electification (My dad worked on the electical components of the Little Joes.), and the variety of railroads still in existance. The decade "before" the Mega-Mergers was tops for railfanning and modeling.

[Anonymous]

Being a former Milwaukee Road employee you can't beat the 70's. We were just recovering from a Hangover called the "Burlington Northern", the end of electification (My dad worked on the electical components of the Little Joes.), and the variety of railroads still in existance. The decade "before" the Mega-Mergers was tops for railfanning and modeling.

[Anonymous]

My favorite rail decade is, 1950-1960 it was the only decade where passenger
rail was still popular, while steam, and classic Ist generation diesels were seen
regularly . Much old varnish, and early freight stock was also commonly seen, as well as the more modern freight and passenger stock still used somewhat
today. It would have been the ultimate time to have been a railfan.

Alas, I was born 30 years too late. So I value the storys, pictures, and home movies that much more. Classic Trains is exellant at filling that need! THANKS !

[Anonymous]

My favorite rail decade is, 1950-1960 it was the only decade where passenger
rail was still popular, while steam, and classic Ist generation diesels were seen
regularly . Much old varnish, and early freight stock was also commonly seen, as well as the more modern freight and passenger stock still used somewhat
today. It would have been the ultimate time to have been a railfan.

Alas, I was born 30 years too late. So I value the storys, pictures, and home movies that much more. Classic Trains is exellant at filling that need! THANKS !

[espeefoamer]

I voted for the 1960'sbut my favorite era is from1950 to1975.I was born in 1951 but have NO memories of steam at all.I remember the 1'st generation diesels,and saw the Big Red Cars of Pacific Electric.one time my grandparents took my brother&me from Long Beach,where they lived,to L.A .on the P.E.I saw the U.P.CityofL.A.since I lived near the U.P.main line.Most of the minority makes of diesels dissapeared during 1975 so that is my cutoff date.

[espeefoamer]

I voted for the 1960'sbut my favorite era is from1950 to1975.I was born in 1951 but have NO memories of steam at all.I remember the 1'st generation diesels,and saw the Big Red Cars of Pacific Electric.one time my grandparents took my brother&me from Long Beach,where they lived,to L.A .on the P.E.I saw the U.P.CityofL.A.since I lived near the U.P.main line.Most of the minority makes of diesels dissapeared during 1975 so that is my cutoff date.