Favorite Railroad Decade

[AltonFan]

It might be useful to remember that most of the major railroads in the US ceased operating steam between 1953 and 1957. Only a very few large railroads were still occasionally operating steam after 1957, and only two - IIRC, Norfolk & Western and Grand Trunk Western - continued to operate steam after 1960.

[AltonFan]

It might be useful to remember that most of the major railroads in the US ceased operating steam between 1953 and 1957. Only a very few large railroads were still occasionally operating steam after 1957, and only two - IIRC, Norfolk & Western and Grand Trunk Western - continued to operate steam after 1960.

[tmcc man]

I chose the 40s because the steam engines were still un service, and ssome of my favorite diesels were coming out (my favorites are all ALCo)

[tmcc man]

I chose the 40s because the steam engines were still un service, and ssome of my favorite diesels were coming out (my favorites are all ALCo)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tmcc man

I chose the 40s because the steam engines were still un service, and ssome of my favorite diesels were coming out

(my favorites are all ALCo)

Now THERE is a man who knows good locos when he sees one. [;)] [:)] [:D]

Meet me at the MR coffee shop, I'll buy. [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tmcc man

I chose the 40s because the steam engines were still un service, and ssome of my favorite diesels were coming out

(my favorites are all ALCo)

Now THERE is a man who knows good locos when he sees one. [;)] [:)] [:D]

Meet me at the MR coffee shop, I'll buy. [:)]

[TrainFreak409]

I voted for the 1950's. The majority of turbines were built during this decade. But, if we could go back in time, I would go back to about 1935, so I could see every turbine, from the 1938 UP Steamotive to the 1961 BIG BAD #80 coal turbine. Turbines are awesome!

~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~

[TrainFreak409]

I voted for the 1950's. The majority of turbines were built during this decade. But, if we could go back in time, I would go back to about 1935, so I could see every turbine, from the 1938 UP Steamotive to the 1961 BIG BAD #80 coal turbine. Turbines are awesome!

~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~

[Anonymous]

If not for WWII, the Forties; so I'll have to say the Fifties. The balance of luxury vs. ubiquity made for more "classic" and comfortable trains than in the overburdened WWII era or the dump-the-service Sixties. My father could regale me with tales of enjoying the "Kings Dinner" on the City of New Orleans in the mid-fifties. Was there ever a train more comfortable than "The Canadian," whose cars debuted in 1954 and 1955 and some of which are still in use? And who could forget the Swan Song of the 20th-Century Limited in Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" (1959)?

[Anonymous]

If not for WWII, the Forties; so I'll have to say the Fifties. The balance of luxury vs. ubiquity made for more "classic" and comfortable trains than in the overburdened WWII era or the dump-the-service Sixties. My father could regale me with tales of enjoying the "Kings Dinner" on the City of New Orleans in the mid-fifties. Was there ever a train more comfortable than "The Canadian," whose cars debuted in 1954 and 1955 and some of which are still in use? And who could forget the Swan Song of the 20th-Century Limited in Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" (1959)?

[Anonymous]

I take the 1950's

[Anonymous]

I take the 1950's

[markn]

I would like to have seen the railroads at their peak-or as I perceive it-late 40's -50's--huge steam engines/diesels coming on/still some trolleys and interurbans..pre interstates/widespread jet airline service--the railroads were still the best game in town

[markn]

I would like to have seen the railroads at their peak-or as I perceive it-late 40's -50's--huge steam engines/diesels coming on/still some trolleys and interurbans..pre interstates/widespread jet airline service--the railroads were still the best game in town

[Anonymous]

1990's rule!!!!!

[Anonymous]

1990's rule!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone..... First post on this board. For the record I'm 40

I had to throw my vote into the 1970s bucket.... The town I grew up in (Fairbury NE) had UP main line crossing the Rock Island mainline to Denver... My brother and I spent hours upon hours haunting the railroad yard and talking to crews on UP that were waiting for a RI to clear the crossing. While there was no steam like in the earlier days, these were the days of seeing GP9s and GE Uboats as well as a ton of other locos... Catching a glimpse of an occasional DD40X that would make it down the Marysville Sub, was big excitement for the rest of the day. The GE 5000s that were not a real success for the UP were also seen. It was the ending days of the little power and the early days of large diesel power. I suppose I'm also a bit sentimental because those were some of the best days of my life....

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone..... First post on this board. For the record I'm 40

I had to throw my vote into the 1970s bucket.... The town I grew up in (Fairbury NE) had UP main line crossing the Rock Island mainline to Denver... My brother and I spent hours upon hours haunting the railroad yard and talking to crews on UP that were waiting for a RI to clear the crossing. While there was no steam like in the earlier days, these were the days of seeing GP9s and GE Uboats as well as a ton of other locos... Catching a glimpse of an occasional DD40X that would make it down the Marysville Sub, was big excitement for the rest of the day. The GE 5000s that were not a real success for the UP were also seen. It was the ending days of the little power and the early days of large diesel power. I suppose I'm also a bit sentimental because those were some of the best days of my life....

[TheS.P.caboose]

I had to go with the 1980's. Southern Pacific was alive and somewhat well. Burlington Northern still had the Cascade Green Scheme.

[TheS.P.caboose]

I had to go with the 1980's. Southern Pacific was alive and somewhat well. Burlington Northern still had the Cascade Green Scheme.

[jlampke]

The period from about '43 to '53. Big steam was still alive and well.... the UP Big Boys, the Challengers.... what a sight it must have been to see. The Southern Pacific was still running all their fantastic GS locomotives. Trains like the SP Daylights were still pulled by big steam. SP cab-forwards were still pulling big trains over the pass. The airlines hadn't completely taken over passenger travel.... and Americans were optimistic and proud of their country. And rightfully so.

[jlampke]

The period from about '43 to '53. Big steam was still alive and well.... the UP Big Boys, the Challengers.... what a sight it must have been to see. The Southern Pacific was still running all their fantastic GS locomotives. Trains like the SP Daylights were still pulled by big steam. SP cab-forwards were still pulling big trains over the pass. The airlines hadn't completely taken over passenger travel.... and Americans were optimistic and proud of their country. And rightfully so.

[trainboyH16-44]

I'd have to say 1960s, with the '30s coming up close behind. The last of mainline steam disappeared in the early sixties, and we had first generation diesels (H16-44) as well as the first second generation(SD40)
The fourties, they had STEAM!!!
Trainboy

[trainboyH16-44]

I'd have to say 1960s, with the '30s coming up close behind. The last of mainline steam disappeared in the early sixties, and we had first generation diesels (H16-44) as well as the first second generation(SD40)
The fourties, they had STEAM!!!
Trainboy

[Anonymous]

RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW!

For teens like me tis is OUR era. An era of immense power and giant locomotives- I love it[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

We can moun the past, or enjoy the awesome railroading we have today!

[Anonymous]

RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW!

For teens like me tis is OUR era. An era of immense power and giant locomotives- I love it[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

We can moun the past, or enjoy the awesome railroading we have today!

[jlampke]

What????????????

[jlampke]

What????????????

[Anonymous]

heyall,meme would like to go back to the 30s cause that was the peak of route milage and many old rr lines were not gobbled up yet by the big boys. the depression was a problem of 30s though......... what years had the most steam engines running.?

the late 40s would be great cause of steam n diesel in its inf.

[Anonymous]

heyall,meme would like to go back to the 30s cause that was the peak of route milage and many old rr lines were not gobbled up yet by the big boys. the depression was a problem of 30s though......... what years had the most steam engines running.?

the late 40s would be great cause of steam n diesel in its inf.