The NKP, summer of 1957. Berks, Mikes, Alco RS-3's and RS11's, EMD GP7's and GP9's along with a smattering of 0-8-0's, Alco S-2's and EMD SW's. John C.
Well, though unscientific, this survey perhaps answers the question posed in the PRR Rant thread. Could it be that this small group reflects the wider model railroading community in it's preference for western diesel railroading? Could it be that this preference is what the manufactures are sensing and thus they build for that preference? Unfortunately for some, Eastern Steam is the least favored of the eras surveyed. I wonder, would the same survey asked of HO'ers reflect the same bias?
Another vote for Eastern steam here!! W.M., C & O , Southern, Mostly whatever looks good to me at the time. Evan run an ABA set of C liners in NYC lightning stripe. Guess I'm pretty much Proto Freelance .......Mike
But if you add together eastern steam and diesel you come up with 40% Adding western steam and diesel we get 49 % Really not a lot of percentage points difference between East and West.........Mike
I do about the same era except the layout area is in the south-east of San Angelo area. With trackage north to Midland/Odessa, Lubbock, Amarillo then to BNSF. Also from Midland to El Paso and points west. East to San Antonio, via a fictitious Texas Mexican/KCS line.
The UTAH Railway. Freelanced of course thanks to my Dad and his layout that I inherited. I had to get his involved somehow so I made it look like the UTAH purchased it.
While I was hesitate to conclude anything too profound from this interesting poll, here is a snapshot analysis. Of the 94 respondents who voted in the first 4 bins, the "steam/diesel" split was 37%/62%, while the east/west split was 45%/55%. For what its worth, the population of the US in 2008 was 59%/41% east vs. west of the Mississippi. So there appears to be a clear preference for modern models, and a preference for western roads disproportionate to the population in the west. Apparently manufacturers like Kato are following the money. They certainly have plenty of mine (which is fine with me). -Gary
Here are a few from my old layout (new one under construction): The roundhouse at Bellevue, with steam power arrayed for a publicity shoot: Berk 748 on the turntable at Bellevue: A trio of GP9's bring CB10 past the blast furnace at National Tube in Lorain, OH: Steam and diesel power sit on the ready tracks outside the roundhouse at Bellevue: John C.
And here are a few more: SD9's 340 and 355 lead a coal train into the yard at Bellevue: Mike 628 ready to lead a local out of Bellevue: And here's a shot from the new layout: John C.
I model Eastern US in the transition ere. I then get steam and diesel. I like the variety. I have no modern buildings whatsoever and am more careful than not to not even have something that was built after my cutoff, which is around 1953. It just wouldn't do to have 36' boxcars or older era passenger trains passing by even a semi-modern McDonalds.
I clicked Western/ Steam-transition, but I model Texas Gulf Coast which is probably not what one usually thinks of as west. And I model 1957 what I consider "transition" but don;t have any steam locomotives except for the "movie train." A time of varied passenger trains- one streamlined, one heavyweight.
I am modelling the UP over Sherman Hill. I love the big power the UP had in the 40's through 60's, Challengers, Big Boys, Turbines, Those beasts are amazing, especially when you realize that they were built without CNC machining or electronic drafting programs. That said, I also run my ATSF El Cap, and my SP-SF Kodakchrome SD-45's, and even the Broadway Limited, though I have not figured out where the GG-1 is getting its power over Sherman Hill, solar panels maybe?
True, but the issue in the PRR Rant thread was 'Why do manufacturers not produce much Eastern Steam but rather focus so much Western Diesel?' It appears that, at least with this small group, the above survey answers that question.
I originally was 1940's to early 60's...Now I am more interested in the late sixites to late 70's of course on the B&O....More diverse paint schemes....Went back to N scale after flirting with two rail O...Can't do Sand Patch justice in O.....
Well... I chose Western Steam/Transition Era... though... I really only got into the steam as a side interest rather than an original intent. The fact that N scale didn't have many good quality steamers was probably the main reason I focused on diesel power. If would have kept to a narrow core 'era' it would be late transition to 2nd generation diesel (from 1955 to 1967). There would be some large steamers being retired or used as helpers on mountainous routes.
