Favorite Railroad Decade

[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. [:)]

[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]

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. [:)]

[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]

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?[?][?][?]

[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]

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]

[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]

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

[Anonymous]

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

[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.

[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]

[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]

[:)]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.

[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.

[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]

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!