What is your favorite era?

I would like to do steam someday, but for right now I plan to model my current locale about ca. 1985 when I moved here and timber was still king in Oregon and BN (Big greeN) ran through the county.

Right now, P&W/W&P (a BNSF subsidiary) runs the line north of Portland. Having the era from 1985 to now allows me to have BN, BNSF, P&W (I'd have to custom paint those). It also allows me to model more diverse industries.

But I like the Columbia River Gorge which is UP territory... Not much industry, but as Loren said, trees are timeless. (So are rocks, waterfalls, etc.)

Cheers,
Jeremy

Hey Loren,
Are your trees old growth or replanted secondary growth? Remember when Weyerhauser had the "tree planting people" ads - you are the "tree planting person".

John

Hey John,
I'd have to say it is a mix of both. There are some old growth mixed in, but I'd guess most are secondary. Just how old do trees have to be to be considered old growth?
Anything like humans?

Loren

You've seen the signs, I'm sure -
"50's not old -
for a tree."

Cheers,
Jeremy

i like the late 1970s to mid 1980s. That is when the Rio Grande was at it's best, just before it got merged in the SP buyout.

For me, I am starting to concentrate more and more of the 1990s - today. I have always been more of the type to purchase what appeals to me. But my interest are starting to focus on more of the modern rolling stock and locos.

Rob

Growing up I didn't have the exposure to trains that many of you have had, thus my interest is all over the board. Like John I have collected mainly West coast and Canadian engines and rolling stock in N scale, so I decided to concentrate on East coast and Canadian for Z scale. All of my engines so far are MTL F7, GP9 and GP35. I also have some of their well cars and other modern cars which at some point will require the appropriate locomotives. Unfortunately when I see all of these great photos of trains you all are posting it sparks the desire to add more different roads. Also all of the scratch building projects on ZCS have inspired me to think outside of the (plastic) box.

Since my layout is only in the planning stages it only exists in my spacetime continuum.

I AM THE KING OF THE (my) WORLD!

I have always enjoyed the early 1950s, so I can operate steam and early diesels, like the GP7s and 9s.

R.J.C.

I guess I like to start with the modern era and the trains can always pass areas that go way back in history, such as Mesa Verde, or a maritime museum, an abandoned ghost town,
an old colonial seaport, a defuncked logging camp, etc. This way, I tell myself, I can get ALL kinds of Z from a bobber caboose to an ICE. But stricktly North American ( ICE was once going to run the Northeast corridore).
Fred

I like the modern era. Bring on the AZL AC4400!!!

I sure would like to see a Shay-- next to my E-7's. An excursion train or RR museum.
Fred

I'd have to say from the 60's up through today. You can run almost everything that is out there, the Peoria & Western is still running FP9's today. If you look at the Reading & Northern's roster they have a 4-6-2 fully restored and doing summer excursions. You can still see rolling stock that has reporting letters for PRR, NYC, EL, LV, & CNJ they are still under the control of Norfolk Southern. I would hope they would do the same as UP and have some heritage paint jobs on their engines.

I appreciate all eras, each has a uniqueness. I like how they pulled countries together, both inside and outside. My layout will contain a bit of anything I can get my hands on. Each item has a story of it's own to tell.

50's and 60's for me, before everything got consolidated out into our last six big railroads while we still had more than two locomotive manufacturers Would be nice to have some affordable Alcos in Z wouldn't it?

Todd

I would love to see some Alco C630's in Lehigh Valley "snowbird" or Tuscan Red with big yellow lettering.

I like the pre/post Civil War, Old West, early 1900's Logging, and 1990 to 2005 modern. At this time, I am recovering from a bad cold, could be a bit delirious, but I think that is all the era's I like!!!!

Hobo Tim

Tim,

Get better soon so you can get back to modeling!

Jerry

Tim, now I know that your are sick. You'r into modern railroading. You know, modern stuff like Mi-Jacks and double stacks.