I was born in 68 and never even remember the Mighty PRR but my grandfather worked for the PRR and I model the transition era for it. I model the E & P branch from Mahoningtown PA (Lawrence Jct) to Erie. He worked as a track walker based in Mahoningtown. Boy do I miss his stories of the mighty PRR. :-(
Howard,I can remember the last of main line steam between '54-58 in Columbus,Ohio and I recall the railroad filth of that era.
I have model steam from time to time but,I perfer diesels any day and any era..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
kstrongI'm definitely a steam guy, modeling the 1910s--about 60 years before my time.
Very nicely done!
Wayne
I have one Steam locomotive, it may stay that way unless Kato decides doing SP&S #700 as their next big N scale steamer. I have a GS4 because my brother and I wore out an old VHS tape of 4449 going from Portland to California with a full daylight consist, it was an excursion train but it's been so long since I've watched the video.
Diesels are the norm, and I'm modeling something way before I was born. So the modeling of "what one grew up with" is not an excuse I can fall back on. modern units and cars are nice to see in real life but, I want to model something exotic. what better way to do that than with streamlined F's(and one E) units, rounded RS units, and the new on the scene angular EMD's.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
Well...I was not going to say anything, but....I was born Chicago 1942 and have experienced many steamers, streetcars, interburbans, elevated, even subways. When I was younger, I modeled mostly steam and built and still have a lot of steamers, that I do run sometimes. I like smokey dirty RS's and have quite a few of them and other Zebra stripe Diesels. I do what I feel at any moment in time. The layout is set up so 30's to 80's equipment will look at home, by just changing vehicles/rail equipment and that is the way I like it....nothing is fixed in stone, so to speak. I do WHAT I feel. To me, that is what a hobby is. Diversity.
Take Care!
Frank
Excellent video Kevin. A great way to enjoy the first cup of the day.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I was born in 1957, last of the baby boom, never saw a steam loco in regular service - except Strasburg. I live near there and my parents took us there regularly growing up, still go there several times a year.
I model the early 50's, freelanced, large east coast double track class I, with a good 50-50 mix of steam and diesel.
Sheldon
I grew up in the '50s and was up close and personal with C&NW and IC steamers. They are the epitome of "power", and will imprint a kid's brain for life!
My layouts have always been a mix of steam/diesel circa the '50s. On this last layout I thought of just having first generation diesels, but I just couldn't do it.
For a layout having steam, a "must have" is the service facilities, which are often the centerpiece of a layout. Diesel facilities are just of little comparison.
Model steamers are truly impressive, especially with the sounds and sights of the moving valve / side rods, but they are also (typically) much more finicky than diesels.
Of course most all steamers come in black and are naturally "dirty", while diesels come in a rainbow of colors, and tend to be better maintained (cosmetically).
All that being said, I believe that model railroaders who never were around steamers just don't have the inertia to model them. They will tend to model what they grew up with or have been around in recent times.
Ha, I suspect in another 50 years or less, modeling the "steam era" will be about as popular as modeling the trains of the 1860s is today.
Just my thoughts/opinions - take them or leave them.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
rdgk1se3019 I used to have a strong interest in steam........but after being a member of Pennsylvania Live Steamers for 14 years and spending 9 months in the backshop of Strasburg RR.......I now have no interest what-so-ever in steam..........I think they should all be scrapped. I model October 1974 on my layout........all first and second generation DIESEL`s.
I used to have a strong interest in steam........but after being a member of Pennsylvania Live Steamers for 14 years and spending 9 months in the backshop of Strasburg RR.......I now have no interest what-so-ever in steam..........I think they should all be scrapped.
I model October 1974 on my layout........all first and second generation DIESEL`s.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
I'm definitely a steam guy, modeling the 1910s--about 60 years before my time.
Later,
K
Born in the 1990s, and model a protolanced 2014 Wheeling &Lake Erie+freelanced a short line. With a museum planned for my eventual layout, I can and will be running Pennsylvania RR steamers on "fan appreication trips" and "mainline steam". I switched to the wheeling, because very few model it, and it is the closest non class one to me. I do PRR steam, but the price of steamers got me out of that era. Ive been around steam for most of my life, mostly Narrow gauge steamers, and saw my first mainline steam in 2013-NKP 765 at the Galitizin tunnels
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
I was born in 1962 and my layout is set in the 1920s. Growing up my only exposure to real steam locomotives was the Strasburg railroad. At 12 years old it was just a fun choo-choo to ride. When I went to college, I rode the Chessie steam special in the New River Gorge. From then on I was hooked on steam. I had no interest in diesels or electrics anymore. As an adult I have visited the Strasburg, Western Maryland Scenic and Steamtown many times because it's a treat to watch the steam locomotives in operation. I collect old postcards of the B&O in the golden years of railroading, and I have to say this excites me more than any other era. I wish some whiz kid would invent the holodeck so I can experience railroad in it's heyday.
Howard ZaneOld codgers like me........
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I was born in 1953. And I am modeling the transition era in the 1950's. I have not purchased any diesels yet and may never do so. I do have 14 various steamers. Most of the 2-8-0's and a few articulated monsters.
Dennis Blank Jr.
CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad
GP-9_Man11786 I'm 30 and I model the transition-era Pennsy, no easy task in N Scale with its lack of steam. I've always loved the Pennsy since I went to Horseshoe Curve with my dad. I've also thought steam engines are just more interesting to watch with the side rod action. Not to mention the fact they have a lot more character.
I'm 30 and I model the transition-era Pennsy, no easy task in N Scale with its lack of steam. I've always loved the Pennsy since I went to Horseshoe Curve with my dad. I've also thought steam engines are just more interesting to watch with the side rod action. Not to mention the fact they have a lot more character.
In three weeks I will be 75.
I learned about steam from an Uncle that joined the MO PAC during WW2. When I was a kid I would watch from our home about a half mile from the tracks that ran through the valley below us. I can still hear the whistle as he greeted us.
I agree with GP9, and the men that designed and built steam should get more credit than I think they get. In my opinion, in the time period the Challengers and Bigboys were designed and built the complexity would compare to that of the space shuttle.
Just saying.
Lee
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
narrow gauge nuclear Jim, in his earlier post, noted he switched to diesel in the last century as the MR steamers of the 70's and 80's were not all good runners, but has now obtained 7 steamers that run great. I will echo that except I never went diesel beyond getting a few Atlas SW-1's (kato drives) in the 80's. The smoothness and low speed characteristics of those impressed me mightily.
Jim, in his earlier post, noted he switched to diesel in the last century as the MR steamers of the 70's and 80's were not all good runners, but has now obtained 7 steamers that run great.
I will echo that except I never went diesel beyond getting a few Atlas SW-1's (kato drives) in the 80's. The smoothness and low speed characteristics of those impressed me mightily.
I don't know that I agree with the opinion that there were no good running steam engines back-in-the-day. I had many Mantua, Rivarossi and MDC-Roundhouse steam locos that ran just fine.
Excepting the Rivarossi locos, they were built from kits with additional care to enhance their operating abilities.
I will echo that except I never went diesel beyond getting a few Atlas RS-1's (kato drives) in the 80's. The smoothness and low speed characteristics of those impressed me mightily.
Still, I adored steam. In the 90's I dropped model railroading for a period of over 12 years, a bit disappointed that even expensve brass steamers that I purchased were not slick runners.
I was dragged back into HOn3 by Blackstone's offerings with sound and DCC coupled with a slow speed operation that rivaled the finest diesels. I did leave the HO standard gauge behind, but stayed in the HO scale.
My love for the narrow gauge actually simmered over many years and was an unrequited love until 2009 when I decided to leap back in. Steam, for me, is a joy and little steam is a great place to hang my free-lancing hat.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
Who is modeling steam era today.
nw2I was born in the early 60s, I model conrail in the 80s. The earliest era I considered was the late 60s to late 70s PC -conrail period. Have no real interest in steam, although I do like the 0-4-0 dockside steamer.
I just got through reading the 29 posts posted in this thread, as of this moment in time. All, except the above post, are from people of all ages who are interested in steam! Each post was written by a different person. Of course this is too small a number of people, to give a clear cross-section of the model railroading public; but, I think it very interesting that an interest in steam can come from such diversified ages.
I see I'm in fine company. Many have spoke of early influences......I was a lucky kid. I had two uncles who ran steam....Ike on the Erie, and Ed on the PRSL. I was fortuante to ride with both on several occasions during the late 40's. After college and military, I become a professional airplane driver...and I can honestly say that hanging on for dear life in a PRR K4 doing over 70 knots was far more exciting than anything I experienced in my 18 years of flying. Had railroads today used steam, I would have most definitely gone into engine service.
In 1950, Dad and I were at the Allendale, NJ depot waiting for Uncle Ike's new surprise..........it was a new RS2 and Ike and his fireman were wearing white shirts and ties...I guess as a gesture of things new and modern. We climbed aboard for our short run to Jersey City. A few miles down the pike, I was bored as was Dad. Apparently so was Uncle Ike as he retired the next year mourning the loss of his beloved K1 4-6-2.
Also my dad was an incurable trainaholic and then some. I had nowhere to go, but into the basement and play with my trains.
Seeds????
HZ
I'm modelling steam in the mid-to-late-'30s, just a little bit before my time. I grew up (somewhat ) in the so-called transition era, and, in retrospect, didn't much care for it.
I was born in 1954, so I have only a few fleeting memories of the last of the steam being run into Allendale in Ontario. My family had a farm in Painswick that had a mainline running through it. However, the fact that I was growing up after the demise of steam engines hasn't stopped me from being fascinated with them. I am modelling the late 50s with mostly diesels but I have a few steam engines that I will operate too. Currently my steam roster consists of an 0-6-0, an 0-8-0, a 4-4-0 and a 4-6-0, so they are not exactly 1950s material. I also have Hogwarts Express which was the first HO train I owned.
Strangely, I am not into the huge late era steamers. Nor am I much interested in modern diesels. Each to his own I guess. I live close to the South Simcoe Railway so I get to see a vintage 4-4-0 in operation regularly. My engine service facility will be set up to handle both steam and diesel.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Born in 1967. No steam memories other than that of my dad's American Flyer S-gauge 4-8-4 Northern, affectionately known as "Blackie", and I think what was a streamlined Hudson... of course Blackie was my favorite!
These came out around Christmas every year, and that was all the motivation I ever needed! I model something between about late 30's-1950ish... several Mikes, a few Pacifics, and one each: Challenger, 2-8-8-2, Consolidation and Shay.
Duane
I was born in 1947 and grew up in Winnipeg, which was the last bastion of steam in Canada. Lucky for me!! Steam was used extensively right through 1959 and I have a lot of fond memories watching trains on the CN mainline going west. It was only a 15 minute ride on my bike to the tracks. I spent a few summers at Victoria Beach and CN ran a daily passenger train powered by a Pacific in '57 and '58.
Needless to say, my model RR is CN set in 1955 so it is mostly steam.
CN Charlie
I am 30. I love the transition era and model as such- that period when steam was at it's peak. I don't mind the diesel trains- there is something about a diesel horn in the distance that I've grown up with- but the allure of steam locomotives are more appealing to me. I love how the engineer has to be one with his machine- listen to how the locomotive is running and "hook up" the train to run more effeciently. No computer system/display to make it run better. The fireman needs to ensure the fire/water is adequate for the engineer when he needs it.
Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.
Daniel G.
Born 1959. Never was a question. Always was interested in steam. I love the early 20th century short lines. All steam.
The photo says it all for me:
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
I was born in 1947 so I saw a little steam in action. I settled on 1952 on the Maryland & Pennsylvania because I can mix early steam (the Ma&Pa still had a 4-4-0), wooden freight and passenger cars, truss rods, archbar trucks with diesels, steel boxcars, etc. But I'm not pure as I also mix in a few things not found in 1952 like billboard reefers from the 30's and paint schemes from the late 50's.
Enjoy
Paul