They just don't make trains like they used to

[Darth Santa Fe]

A long time ago when steam engines were the main source of power on the rails, the people who built the steam engines put alot more effort and pride into building them, trying to make their's the best. When the engines were finished, they always cared for it enough to give it a name. Now we have assembly lines that do alot of the work for us, and engines are built quick and less expensively. The builders only put them together so they can get their paycheck and leave, without being proud enough of their creation to even give it a name.(except for a simple abreviation, like "GP60", or "U28") Please don't think I'm going against diesels in any way. I love diesels.[:)] But I was thinking that this could be one of the reasons why so many say the steam era was the best.

Does anyone agree with me on this[?][:)] (really, I do love diesels. My SD75M is one of my favorites)

[SpaceMouse]

I was going to say my son has a tank engine named Thomas--but then again Thomas is a steamer.

[garr]

Didn't the railroads give most of the steam engines their names? True, some of the names did come from the builders, i.e. a 4-8-4 being a Northern, but it seems very little creativity was used since the names the builders came up with was usually derived from the name of the first railroad ordering that wheel arrangement. The first 4-8-4 built was for Northern Pacific. (On the Central of Georgia a 4-8-4 was a "Big Apple" on other roads a 4-8-4 was called Greenbrier, Potomac, Niagara, etc.)

I believe what made the steam era "best" was the time frame along with the locos. The steam locomotive was the closest thing to a living, breathing being that man had created. During most of the steam era, the railroad was the preferred form of travel for passengers and freight. Railroading was full of wonderlust and almost everyone knew someone who worked for the railroad. These are just a few broad strokes painting the picture of railroading's Golden Era.

I do think that people of the steam era had a different work ethic, but by no means did they do their job only out of love. That was an era when most people worked their whole career for one employer. Promotions usually were from within the company, so quality and pride of work paid twofold. Plus, this was an era of realitively low tax burdens and a lower cost of living with most people living within their means. Usually it was only neccessary for one adult to work while the other tended (worked) the domestic chores. Thus the one working could dedicate a lot more attention to the job at hand.

Or the steam era may be viewed as "best" simply because the past is usually viewed thru rose colored glasses.

Jay

[Javern]

hard to take pride in the work when you are in constant fear of layoffs, I think in the "good ol days" the attitude was differant. People were grateful for what they had and had more pride. Today people expect things and more materialistic.

[icmr]

I like the steam era but I like the diesel era more.



ICMR

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

[waltersrails]

I agree With Darth and ICMR. plus i never thought of it that way.

[Adelie]

This is all good discussion. A lot of good points have been made.

Garr hit on something that those of us who are fascinated by steam (even though my railroad is early diesels) can relate to. When a steam engine was working hard, you knew it. You heard the huffing and puffing and saw it exhaling. It even "sweat" in its own way. It sounded like a 500,000 pound person working his tail off. Diesels don't quite have that effect.

Of course, times are different. Everything today has a number instead of a name. While Amtrak still uses names (and numbers), the names seem hollow somehow. People are concerned with how fast things can happen instead of enjoying the journey. Indeed, for all the material "things" most people have, we are poorer for it.

I

[Anonymous]

Ummm.... The rumor of the god old days is just that. A rumor. Yes the rich were rich and took summer long vacations to cooler climates but the rest of us worked 52 weeks a year and only the blue laws got us a day off. Only one spouse worked? Children's and sometimes the adults clothes were made at home. All clothes were mended at home and washed in water heated on the kitchen stove more often than not. Bread was baked at home. All of a families meals were made at home. If you were lucky you had a gas stoves and gas lights most of the working class had coal or wood stoves and kerosene lamps.

If you were hurt at work they hired someone else. If you wanted to join a Union you were likely to fine some Pinkerton thugs waiting to bash your head a little.

When you got old you kept working, not because you wanted to but because you had to unless you had family that would take you in. Ditto when you got sick.

Make that IF you got old. Take a stroll through an older Cemetery. What do you see that you rarely see in a new Cemetery? No not headstones. Children, babies, families wiped out in the same month or week from Cholera or some other malady you never hear of today.

Thank God we live today.

Steam engines are just amazing. I have only seen steam tractors up close and personal but they are so impressive. They move so quietly. The hissing and popping when they are sitting still speaks of restrained power but when they are unleashed they are so unexpectedly quiet but still the earth shakes from their power as they go by.

[Anonymous]

Ever see that advertisment In the MR for a HO/OO live steam hornby mallard (okay it's old). You gotta see one run!

[eastcoast]

[{(-_-)}] Umm, yeah, whatever he said.
( I think I'm going deaf.)[(-D]

[Anonymous]

I dont care how sharp a deisel looks or how cool four of them look charging up a 2 percent grade with 100 coal hoppers, Nothing beats watching a pair of 2-10-2's dig into the rails while a another shoves on the back.

[jeffshultz]

They named diesels too! After all... we still call 'em "Geeps" don't we?

[Eriediamond]

Don't forget also back in the early days, crews were assigned locomotives and they sometimes gave names to their charges. But, this was earlier then we are probabley talking about here.

[TrainFreak409]

Well, the concept of naming steamer was mostly implied by the British. Most of their locomotives had some name, not just of classification, but a name. For example, "The Mallard," "The***o' the North," "The Evening Star." American's named their more important trains for the most part.

But, it seems that in the older days, more people had pride in what they did. Now, work is just work to a lot of people. Few actually have jobs they enjoy. They just do it to get the money. I've been lucky enough to get part time jobs that I enjoy. And I am always proud to do my job. My older brother is a machinist, and he is very proud of what he does.

So, in a way, the fact that manufacturing requires less actual labor than ever thanks to machinary and computers would probably lower the pride one has in their work. That's my [2c].