Favorite Railroad Decade

[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]

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

[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]

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. [:)]

[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 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]

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]

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!

[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]

I personally voted 1910(allthough I also like earlier era`s) because of the polliferation of wood and steel equipment that came about on those day`s. I collect books on steam equiptment from that era. That was when the most tracts of land were railroad accessible. It was before the interstate highway system that I consider a blight on the land. You could get everything, everywhere by rail. I also,like railhorseman, like earlier rail periods of time. go 4-4-0!!!!

[Anonymous]

I personally voted 1910(allthough I also like earlier era`s) because of the polliferation of wood and steel equipment that came about on those day`s. I collect books on steam equiptment from that era. That was when the most tracts of land were railroad accessible. It was before the interstate highway system that I consider a blight on the land. You could get everything, everywhere by rail. I also,like railhorseman, like earlier rail periods of time. go 4-4-0!!!!

[JanOlov]

Sorry, can't decide!
Love everything from the 1900 to Conrail in 1976, but most of all the steam era, with heavyweight limited with amazing interiors and the streamliners ruling the rails in the 40's and 50's.[:D][:D][:D]
Wi***hat I could go back to that period and see all these trains in action.

All the best my friends.
Jan

[JanOlov]

Sorry, can't decide!
Love everything from the 1900 to Conrail in 1976, but most of all the steam era, with heavyweight limited with amazing interiors and the streamliners ruling the rails in the 40's and 50's.[:D][:D][:D]
Wi***hat I could go back to that period and see all these trains in action.

All the best my friends.
Jan

[Anonymous]

1940's.. the absolute best of monster steam traction

Big Boy... Allegheny.. Y6's... great locomotives..

Loyd L.

[Anonymous]

1940's.. the absolute best of monster steam traction

Big Boy... Allegheny.. Y6's... great locomotives..

Loyd L.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LEO LUCIANI

I PICKED THE 40'S BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO WINNING WWII. HOWEVER, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE BUSINESS DECISIONS OF THIS ERA WERE TO MILK THE PROFITS AND NOT REINVEST. ALSO, I WILL FOREVER BLAME MANAGEMENT WANTING TO GIVE IT THEIR EMPLOYEES AS THE BIGGEST REASON FOR DIESEL. YOU'LL NEVER CONVINCE ME THAT COAL HAULING RAILROADS COULD NOT HAVE CONTINUED USING THE PRODUCT THEY WANTED EVERYONE ELSE TO BUY.

It has been said before, and who can disagree, that W W II was railroading's "finest" hour. They each and all came through with shinning colors.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LEO LUCIANI

I PICKED THE 40'S BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO WINNING WWII. HOWEVER, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE BUSINESS DECISIONS OF THIS ERA WERE TO MILK THE PROFITS AND NOT REINVEST. ALSO, I WILL FOREVER BLAME MANAGEMENT WANTING TO GIVE IT THEIR EMPLOYEES AS THE BIGGEST REASON FOR DIESEL. YOU'LL NEVER CONVINCE ME THAT COAL HAULING RAILROADS COULD NOT HAVE CONTINUED USING THE PRODUCT THEY WANTED EVERYONE ELSE TO BUY.

It has been said before, and who can disagree, that W W II was railroading's "finest" hour. They each and all came through with shinning colors.

[Anonymous]

I PICKED THE 40'S BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO WINNING WWII. HOWEVER, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE BUSINESS DECISIONS OF THIS ERA WERE TO MILK THE PROFITS AND NOT REINVEST. ALSO, I WILL FOREVER BLAME MANAGEMENT WANTING TO GIVE IT THEIR EMPLOYEES AS THE BIGGEST REASON FOR DIESEL. YOU'LL NEVER CONVINCE ME THAT COAL HAULING RAILROADS COULD NOT HAVE CONTINUED USING THE PRODUCT THEY WANTED EVERYONE ELSE TO BUY.

[Anonymous]

I PICKED THE 40'S BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO WINNING WWII. HOWEVER, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE BUSINESS DECISIONS OF THIS ERA WERE TO MILK THE PROFITS AND NOT REINVEST. ALSO, I WILL FOREVER BLAME MANAGEMENT WANTING TO GIVE IT THEIR EMPLOYEES AS THE BIGGEST REASON FOR DIESEL. YOU'LL NEVER CONVINCE ME THAT COAL HAULING RAILROADS COULD NOT HAVE CONTINUED USING THE PRODUCT THEY WANTED EVERYONE ELSE TO BUY.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater

I voted for the 50's. Steam, first generation diesels, all those great pre-Amtrak passenger trains... the list goes on. Even though I was born in 1986 I really love the 1940's-60's, especially the 50's. I've always wished I could have lived that era. They don't call it the fabulous fifties for nothing! I actually love all eras of railroading, from Trevithick's first locomotive to the trains of today, but the 50's have always been special for me.

I think you will find a lot of people who agree with you whole heartedly [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater

I voted for the 50's. Steam, first generation diesels, all those great pre-Amtrak passenger trains... the list goes on. Even though I was born in 1986 I really love the 1940's-60's, especially the 50's. I've always wished I could have lived that era. They don't call it the fabulous fifties for nothing! I actually love all eras of railroading, from Trevithick's first locomotive to the trains of today, but the 50's have always been special for me.

I think you will find a lot of people who agree with you whole heartedly [:)]

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone, as of 12:30 pm on Wednesday 33 people have taken the poll. I want to thank everyone for taking the poll and especially those who have left comments. [:)]

If you haven't taken the poll please do. PLEASE leave comments, it really makes the poll more interesting to read them. [;)]

Thanks again. [8D]