Title says it all: what are the things (whether it be a challenging detail, a needed engine you can't find, non-existent pictures of your prototype, etc.) that you hate (edit: dislike) about the era you model?
With me, as I model the 1970s, it has to be the dreaded ACI aka "Kartrak" labels. If I'm lucky, I find photographic evidence for the labels. There are other times though where I have to guess at the labels. As a result, though, I've gotten pretty good about making those guesses. But I can't model the 70s without them, so I'm stuck.
I look forward to the responses.
Well, I model the Western Maryland Ry in the Fall of 1954. That gives me spectacular mountain scenery in the beautiful Fall colors, steam & early diesel operation, helpers and great 40' boxcars and tons of hoppers with lots of coal and mines. The structures were neat back then and even the cars (autos) are appealing. These are all reasons I chose to model that place and time. Everything I need is made in HO and photographic evidence is more than adequate.
There's not one thing that I hate about it other than that time is gone and what has replaced it sort of sucks!
Roger Huber
Deer Creek Locomotive Works
I love the era's I model, otherwise why model them? I hate the era I live in. few locomotive types on class 1's now. Violence everywhere, the list could go on and on. But on the model side, I think we need to see less repitition of F units, Big Boys ect. And more "work a day" steam models like multipule types of 2-8-0's, 2-8-2's ect. A low drivered version of both of those is needed IMHO. Yreka Western #19, star of the Emperor of the North movie would be a nice choice, low drivered and small prototype would appeal to small layouts and branch line modelers, many different western logging and shortlines had them. Same for a 2-8-0 with small drivers, take the old Tyco model with the tender drive, update it and put a modern drive in the locomotive. Another good small layout steamer or even class 1. Broadway is helping this now with thier non belpair boiler 2-8-0, but its tall drivered. Mike
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
I'm late 60's thru 1975. Can't use the word "hate" but I'll say frustrating as no one makes a plastic Amtrak GE P30CH. Brass versions were produced but the last one I saw on Ebay was selling in the $700 range!
Frrykid, Kartrak labels are available from 3rd Shift Hobbies:
http://store.3rdshifthobbies.com/aci-kar-trak-labels.html
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Well, it's kinda of sad that billboard reefers were outlawed before the early 50's. But then, I run them anyway.
Paul
I primarily model the early-to-mid 40s NYC but am slowly widening that gap to include up to the early 50s. Along with Mike there really isn't anything that I hate about the era I've chosen. Handsome looking steamers and early diesels...Classic cars...Houses and structures with character...Great music! - What's not to like!
If I were to pick one thing to hate it would have to be that there are NO surviving NYC Hudsons or Niagras. (Thank you, Alfred Perlman ) Thankfully, there are two 4-8-2 Mohawks still around; one (#2933) having just recently been restored and dedicated at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation this past May:
Would LOVE to see her under steam again but the chances of that happening are pretty much nil. They did a very nice job of making her pretty again though. Definitely on my bucket list as a NYC fan.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The only disappointment (I won't use the word 'hate') that I have with my later 50s era is that steam was pretty much gone by then. Of course, there is always the old standby that it is my railroad and I can run what I want. As far as I'm concerned, that is the greatest excuse ever to run whatever the heck I choose!
Cheers all!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I'll jump on the 'can't hate' bandwagon. The term is rather extreme, and even if you disagree, I don't hate anything about the transition era. I am fortunate that I am joined by many who have the time, talent, and motivation to bring to the commercial market many locomotives from that era. Scenery is easy, and so is crafting a layout that works for me. Lots of structures and details available, or I make what I must. I think I would only hate it if I couldn't participate at all for some reason.
AntonioFP45 Frrykid, Kartrak labels are available from 3rd Shift Hobbies: http://store.3rdshifthobbies.com/aci-kar-trak-labels.html
It's not a matter of not finding the labels themselves. It's more a case of sometimes not finding a prototype picture of a car I'm modeling. However, having another source for ACI labels is not a bad thing. (Reminds me of the old HK ACI labels, which I have a set of.)
I will change the title somewhat given all the complaints about the use of the word "hate".
tstageI primarily model the early-to-mid 40s NYC but am slowly widening that gap to include up to the early 50s. Along with Mike there really isn't anything that I hate about the era I've chosen. Handsome looking steamers and early diesels...Classic cars...Houses and structures with character...Great music! - What's not to like!
Mike
I like my era (late 1960s) but do dislike how many appropriate locomotives have been made by P2K but with paint schemes from an earlier era (Chicago & North Western engines with "Route of the 400s" or "Route of the Streamliners" on the sides -- those slogans were all but gone by the 1960s and just a few switchers out in the boonies escaped the repaint). I also wish there were a few more cars and trucks made for that era, particularly trucks such as GMC. Apart from that I am not unhappy. It has taken time to acquire the resources and photos and information as to how things were, but that is part of the fun. I find myself staring intently at the blurred backgrounds of Kodak Brownie photos I shot back then for information about trackside details.
Dave Nelson
dknelsonI find myself staring intently at the blurred backgrounds of Kodak Brownie photos I shot back then for information about trackside details.
I just love old photos, Dave. There is so much invaluable prototype information - both railroad and non-railroad related - contained in even a "less than perfect" picture. And sometimes I might see something I hadn't noticed before - even after viewing the photo dozens of times prior to that.
My basic problem is this: I could like diesels, but am not happy with the handrails on most, as they are imo too delicate or just don't look right. I basically prefer steam power the most, and 1960's/1970's brightly painted freight cars, which did not exist at the same time!
So I was attempting to model in the early 1950's, but I don't care for the blah, boring, limited paint schemes on freight equipment.
So I gave up and am running 1970's incentive per diem boxcars behind steam, as though steam lasted a while longer than it even did in Mexico.
John
I model the late Transition Era, 50s to early 60s, precisely because I have such fond memories of that time.
Modeling is easy, too. It's the "sweet spot" for 18-inch radius curves in HO, with 40 foot rolling stock and 4-axle diesels. And the hobby manufacturers are providing plenty of those, along with trucks and automobiles.
I have a soft spot for fallen flags, so I can keep them alive on my layout.
The one thing I hated (yes, hated) about the real 50s was smoking. I do have a cigarette machine on my layout, decalled for "Laramie" cigarettes from the Simpsons, but no one is buying. Even my locomotives are prohibited from smoking.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I model 1998-2007 in Union Pacific/ BNSF. I have a nice fleet of cars, but the dislikes are around locomotives.
Dislike: Ditch lights they are installed on older EMD/GE locomotives on active duty. Finding a way with N Scale is impossible. Not enough BNSF Heritage II Dash 9.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Several liveries of the Kadee PS-1 are a bit modern for my 1950 time period, but I just squint my eyes and mentally stretch the period to about 1952, and happily run them. There are a couple other compromises, including a couple steam locomotives that didn't last quite that long, but not very many; and the compromises aren't very extreme. If I'm going to lose sleep over anything, it won't be this. I'm thinking of adding a PRR N6a caboose. In 1950, the PRR had only one left, and it was used in Indiana, far from my area. So sue me.
ACI labels had to be a certain set height above the rails, so they could be scanned by the ACI readers. Other than that, where they were on the car (left or right) wasn't that important I believe, so there may not have been a set way to do them. I'd bet even cars of the same railroad may have had them on different parts of the car.
RR_MelI also really miss the 50s. Things have been going downhill ever since.
.
I would not trade living today for the 1950's for anything. I am so happy in today and I believe things will continue to improve. I love my big screen high definition TV, safe over-the-counter medicine, safe drinking water and food supplies, my car starts itself and turns on the A/C for me, I can enjoy any food I want any time I want it, lead-free house paint is great, no asbestos in public buildings is a win, the EPA has clamped down on all the corporate poluters, smoking is fading all the time, the Interstate Highway System is a convenience I really like, not to mention air travel, microwave ovens, craft beers, Russian Caviar (try to get that in 1954), Cuban Rum (still a gray area, but not around here!), all types of music and movies are available to suit your mood, and KATO LOCOMOTIVES! I did not even mention the internet.
If I awoke in 1954 I would be so depressed I could not go on.
As far as the original question and my model railroading goes... I chose 1954 because I love the locomotives. What I dislike about that era is that my favorite freight cars are from about 15 years later. I cannot have both. I made my choice. I modeled 1968 when I was into N scale.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I'm barely getting into my location and era (California mid 40's-early 50's), so I can't say what I definitively hate. There are some small annoyances every now and again, like the fact that there are no easily acquirable passenger cars for the San Diegan, and I can't find trackplans for the Southern Pacific depot in Whittier, but there isn't anything too bad.
No that I'm modelling the Pennsy in the transition era, my only major gripe is the lack of steam in N Scale. And Honestly, that situaion has gotten better in recent years with Bachman's K4 and BLI's M1.
When I modeled South Carolina in the 1950s, I hated Jim Crow cars and hatred and ignorance they stood for. I refused to have any on my layout. Since I was freelancing, I could justfy this by saying the railroad played the interstate commerce card.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
I model from the 90's to present, and there is nothing I "hate", (other than the WC take-over), but I can sure nod my head in agreement to Henry's post.
My You Tube
Remember, we're talking about modeling here, not what we like or don't like about the real world today. Some of these posts have strolled right up to the borderline of political topics and put a toe over. Keep it on topic, please.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Since permanently changing modeling eras from 77/78 to 94/95 I find it harder to find prototypical industries found in a industrial park that suits my needs and what complicates that is I don't use whimsical industries or names.
You see my 77/78 era industries would have either converted to truck or closed over those 17 years..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I am trying my best to model about a hundred years ago and it is not that difficult, except things that are too modern keep creeping into the scene because I like them. Having old things on a modern layout can work just fine most of the time, however, the reverse is not true.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I model the Las Vegas and Tonopah, Bullfrog Goldfield and Tonopah and Tidewater railroads in the Goldfield Nevada area circa 1914.
Things I like: Modeling something different that few people try, Something that is linked to the area that I grew up in and something that requires some historical research. Old west modeling. The area in downtown LV where I work is very close to the original path the LV&T took when it left the UP yard to head for Beatty.
Things I don't like: Getting steam engines to work well. Diesels are so much smoother! Very little new comes out for my era. The obscurity of my prototypes means there are few photographs and they are all in black and white. All were abandoned before WWII. Even the towns they served are going away: see Rhyolite, NV. Temporal anomalies.
I actually quite like the era I model (late 1980's). But as far as modeling it, I wish there were more options for 70's and 80's vehicles. Finding 80's pickups, cars, heavy trucks, and farm equipment is very difficult. But I do get to kitbash some stuff so there's that.
Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.
wjstix ACI labels had to be a certain set height above the rails, so they could be scanned by the ACI readers. Other than that, where they were on the car (left or right) wasn't that important I believe, so there may not have been a set way to do them. I'd bet even cars of the same railroad may have had them on different parts of the car.
If you work with ACI labels, look to the December 1969 MR (whether you find the issue, get a copy of the article, or get access to the MR all-time archive.) pages 86 to 89. It is the MR Clinic edited by the late, great Gordon Odegard and the MR staff. That is what I use for my reference. Your bet on the various locations is correct especially if the car was painted before 1967.
Bundy74 But as far as modeling it, I wish there were more options for 70's ... vehicles.
But as far as modeling it, I wish there were more options for 70's ... vehicles.
I have run into that problem myself. For some of the vehicles, "older" vehicles have worked as the style of the vehicle didn't change for a long period so they can be used. (I have some semi cabs that are from the 50s but the style lasted long enough that I can use it for my era.)
I model two eras, 1948-1973, and 1993-2010. I like the 50's/60's as virtually any transition era freight train can be put together with Athearn Genesis F3's/F7's, the right caboose, and the H15-66's and RS3's can be used for switching cars or to pull short locals. Be sure to throw in at least one or two streamliners. I also enjoy music from 1954-1975 and 1976-1998, with a few 2000's.
I like the modern era because I remember seeing numerous Maxi Well and 57' Spine cars around Los Angeles, Commerce, and Glendale with SD75M's,SD40-2's, ES44AC's, a few SD70ACe's and thought it would be great to combine the old with the new. I also like Amtrak, Metrolink, and Santa Fe, and Union Pacific because those roads were my first exposure to railroading when I was a kid.
The only downside to the 90's is there are only a few cabooses in action. You won't see them on mainline runs, just in yard duties/switching service. And less Red/Silver/Blue/Yellow locomotives to see. I kind of like BNSF's Heritage II Green/Yellow/Orange Scheme, and I can tolerate the Heritage III Black/Orange in small doses.
Belive me, a BNSF train running with all Black/Orange locomotives on the headend all the time with no oddballs in the consist gets boring very quickly.