Do you consider your Z scale modeling era to be within 1980 to present day? I consider it all Modern! Just trying to see who all is modeling within this era! Hobo Tim
I WANT, so dearly, more than ANY kind of modeling options available, to model the 1950's. This is modeling mind you, not running trains at shows, where modern long trains are preferable. If I model modern for a home layout, I feel everything needs to be way too big for the available space to look convincing. It takes a 2' x 4' space to model an autorack unloading area just to get the point across, where if I was doing the same space in the 1950's I could have a team track loading 10 automobile boxcars, a sawmill with slash burner, lumberyard, used car lot, dixie dinner, furniture factory, and freight station all in the same space without looking too crowded. At shows I like to run modern trains because people seem to relate better to what they see in the real world. It gives everyone young and old something to use to break into conversation.
Tim, I'll take my modern era a bit newer than 1980.... i prefer to model on my current modules from 2000 (the millenium) to today.... Its great to be able to take a afternoon ride over to the town i'm modeling and watch trains and spot details to build.. So present day UP for me please.. Tony B... Wasatch Z Club PS: I still collect on the side and always will... DRG&W equipment
Modern era is 1990 to 2000, while Super Modern is 2001 to date. I model super modern in Z. Oh and 1950s and 80s. And 90s :tb-biggrin:
I try and focus on 1960 to keep my inventory focused and my modeling as subject driven as possible. Love the color of modern, but if you've seen some of the Rock Island stuff...color wasn't invented in the 1990's. Joe MTL
I rather a choice for "run it all" ! I'd put pre-1900 out there to run along with ever else hit the rails but it had better watch out for triple autoracks or 89' cars too. ( I can always say the steam was an excursion run ). Have to keep an open mind. Not enough choices in Z. Might drift back to steam (for a while) if we had reasonably priced steam (that would pull some realistic trains). And Robert, leave that 2x4 Autorack to me. I'll gladly let you use the space on my end module Model all you want. I'll get the 'racks ! .
I'll say modern since I try to keep everything to either mid 70's to early 80's (pre-MILW/SOO merger) or 2005 to present day. But IMO there seems to have been a definite change to "modern" railroading in the 90's time frame. ~Paul
I enjoy operating modern, it is nice to see the real pieces you model, but I grew up in PRR territory, and like the transition period, and electrics. JD
I like transition. Late steam like the ten wheelers, moguls and americans that hung around til the late 50's are my particular favorites. Transition is like muscle cars from the 55 chevy to the 69 charger. Seems like there was a lot of style back then. Modern RR today is to me much like the modern cars out there, kinda look all the same. Sure every now and then there is a standout, but kinda lacks the charm of the classics.
interesting that you say that. the big mainline roads do all seem to be running the same big models, and unit trains do seem to be the norm. but there are a lot of really interesting short lines all around the country, with colorful locos and cars, and interesting settings. certainly not like the 50s-70s eras, but there are still some neat railroads around. i'm a colorado kid, pure Rio Grande (though there was lots of Sante Fe around here too), so explain to me how i got interested in Toledo, Peoria, and Western???? just loved their railroad and reading about them. love their EMD GP38s with Alco trucks (too cool). i can't explain it, but i just loved TP&W. and i never saw a TP&W loco in real life - not even for a day. curious. dave f.
I prefer 1945 - 1965 which is before all the mergers. The freight cars that I collect are those railroads that operated in PA, NY, NJ and MD. I like the local short lines like Western Maryland, Delaware & Hudson, Lehigh & New England, Lehigh Vly, Jersey Central & Central RR of New Jersey just to name a few of my favorites. Robert "On the Left Coast"
