Back to the Future!...

[MLG4812]

Greetings,

     Just wondering, if you could go back in time, what railroading era would you like to have witnessed. This could be an era or a single year. It can include any location, structure or scenic landmark (e.g.-the running of the Zephyrs, construction of Penn Station, ect.). I'm a greenie, born in '71. However, I would have enjoyed seeing American railroading in full steam era. Also, being from KY, I wish I was old enough to railfan during the coal boom of the late 70's and early 80's.

 

MLG4'81/2"

 

[Andrew Falconer]

I need to go back in time to 1955 to photograph the railroads of Kalamazoo County for my own research and for the Vicksburg Historical Society.

Next, move ahead in time to 1971 to Toronto to see the special CN freight car paint scheme series in person while in one place.

I need to hop ahead to 1973 or 1974 to photograph various events and equipment on the Soo Line in Minnesota.

Andrew

 

[CrazyDelmar]

Central Illinois in the 40s-50s-60s

[fuzzybroken]

I would have loved to see the interurbans when they were in their glory.  Nowadays, I usually have to settle for a bike trail...

[broncoman]

I don't know if the scene could have actually taken place but in one of the Walthers HO catalogs they had a picture of a roundhouse filled with steam being prepped for service and a painted black de-streamlined daylight on the turntable.  It was set during WWII.  I am assuming that it was inspired by a real event, but to see that in real life I think would have been awesome!

Dave

[Chris30]

I would have to say that I would go back to the golden era of passenger trains post WWII. I suppose that I could ride a lot trains at the prices of the 40's/50's.

CC

[Railfan1]

I would go back to the days when every other train you saw was a passenger train. I would like to see the greats such as The Champion, The Southern Crescent, The Santa fe Cheif, the list goes on and on.

Today's railroading is different, but sometimes different is better.