What would get you to change eras?

[sparky]

I model the mid 1990's in N scale, but these were enough to make me add On30 as another scale:

[3rdrail]

To an extent, the MDC Roundhouse 2-8-0 already did... My biggest and most modern power will be PRR I1's and L1's. 

Sparky, the On30 Forneys tempt me more than the geared locomotives, but have resisted, so far.

[sparky]

Sparky, the On30 Forneys tempt me more than the geared locomotives, but have resisted, so far.

Gregg-

In addition to the Shay and Climax (which are Soundtraxx decoder equipped), also have a 0-4-2 Porter and a passenger set with the 2-6-0 that I picked up at Trainfest last fall.  I like the Forneys too.  I've got one on the wish list.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well, I'm continually tempted to build some southern shortline stuff using those Bachmann HO smallish steamers (4-6-0s & 4-4-0s) Malcolm Furlow style.

Think of it as an "O Brother Where Art Thou?" Railroad.

[Denver Road Doug]

This hits close to home!  The new Kato NW-2 recently got me to dabble in the late 40's/early 50's.  I've always had great interest in the Fort Worth & Denver Railway, which is the same line (basically Fort Worth to Amarillo) that I model in the late 90's as BNSF.  The 40's FW&D rostered 3 NW-2's, some SW1's, E5's for passenger service, and a bunch of Mikado's, 2-8-0's, and Pacifics...and even a few doodlebugs for branchline passenger/mail service.  So when Kato announced these, I started pondering my options about modeling another era, yet again.

So now I have an NW-2, a Kato Mike, and about a dozen era-appopriate freight cars.  Also bought a foobie CB&Q Micro-Trains caboose, and a closer Athearn wood caboose to kitbash into a FW&D/C&S standard caboose.  I also had previously purchased a CC P-Zephyr, though they never ran on the "Denver Road" in scheduled service...they did pass through a few times though.

[tom mann]

That's funny, I was looking at the excellent On30 selection on micromark yesterday.  I wouldn't mind a rickety track, well weathered 1920's era desert-western layout.

Wait, isn't Verne Niner doing this?

[Iain]

Hmm, I already am starting on modeling the late Thirtys, Eastern NC style (you want Southern Branchline modeling, Ed?).  If someone were to do a decapod I may do one up for Gainesville Midland.  What I really need is a ten wheeler.

Something that would make me switch roads (not eras) would be an AS-416.

[Mark5]

Nothing would make me change eras!

[soo]

  Nothing would get me to change, I am stuck in the 80's. Heck even my sat radio stays on Hair Nation,,,,,80's metal hair bands.LOL

  Adios Wyatt

[Denver Road Doug]

Hair bands, huh?  How Ironic.   

[lock4244]

If somehow you could add charm and character to the modern era I may bite. 

Just wait about 20 to 30 years. The stuff we see now would be old and gone, and many would start to consider our present the "good old days". I already feel that way about 1980's railroading. Cabooses and MLW's on the mainline, a few F units left (on CN), CP still had a few stockcars around, and there were still unrebuilt GP9's in my neck of the woods!

[Denver Road Doug]

If somehow you could add charm and character to the modern era I may bite. 

Just wait about 20 to 30 years. The stuff we see now would be old and gone, and many would start to consider our present the "good old days". I already feel that way about 1980's railroading. Cabooses and MLW's on the mainline, a few F units left (on CN), CP still had a few stockcars around, and there were still unrebuilt GP9's in my neck of the woods!

Well, personally I think modern railroading has ten times the character of the "golden age" of railroading in the 50's.

Steam doesn't have the allure to someone who's never really seen it on a daily basis hauling freight and switching yards.  I really thought I would like the 2-8-2 I bought better, but it's just another locomotive to me--it's a train, and great looking, and runs well, and has historical significance--I just don't see it as "charming" or "romantic" like many do.  (of course, to be fair, it doesn't actually emit "steam" so that might be one consideration) 

While I'm starting to have some interest in that era, I still overwhelmingly prefer the past decade for variety, traffic volumes, excursion possibilities, etc.  I do think that the "good ole days" for me will hit home once all the merged locos are repainted/retired/scrapped and all we have is a handful of class 1's.  But, then there will be a lot more regionals and short lines, I think, so it will even out.

[Kisatchie]

If I had enough room to model in O scale, I'd do 1950 instead of 1980 like I once planned on modeling in N scale.

[Mark5]

Doug,

Railroading is much more than locos. You cannot begin to imagine how much more variety there was in rolling stock back in lets say the 1960s. Most modern trains frankly bore the heck out of me. I still enjoy them but to a much lesser degree.

But for a lot of us I guess it is somewhat defined by what we were most exposed to (perhaps when young). 

Mark

[lock4244]

Doug, I agree modern railroading has a very strong character. Shameless self promotion I know, but the shot in the link below displays the character, drama, and power of modern RRing, IMHO. Big machines run by itty bitty men.

Just because there aren't 100 class ones powered by steam locomotives, doesn't mean they aren't everybit as interesting to watch. I do miss the vans (cabooses) though...

http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=183205