Skip to main content

Recently I've been thinking about my favorite era and the only era I model and collect in O scale the "transition era" between late super-power steam and early stylish first generation diesel power.

As I know most of you guys know I am not into the modern stuff at all. Actually if it's after 1950 my interest really fades.

IMG_3897

Exposition Flyer 1945 in Nebraska 

My passion expressed in the images I create and share here on OGR.

IMG_3551

Newly delivered F7's on the Rio Grande 1949

I love the vibrant colorful paint work and design that graced the rails in the 1930's and 1940's....

IMG_7678

Santa Fe E3 #11L and GS-2 #4410 both in 1941 detailing

My absolute favorite the gritty heavyweights and big high stepping steam! 

IMG_5049

Westbound Exposition Flyer with M68 and heavyweight consist 1944

Why am I not into the 1980's and 1990's or the newest trains? I'm not at all sure really. 

169643C8-9E31-4AF9-BFFF-D3BB17AF05BA-3323-000005EDC5321CC9_tmp

As a boy in the 1980's I was introduced to trains with my father's Lionel Scout from 1952. My dad was 4 years old in 1952 however he had that neat little set. When I was able to go to my grandparents home in the early 1980's I ran into the basement and grabbed the trains.. Something about that Lionel black gondola and the Scout trucks intrigued me. In a way I have the same exposure to this hobby as a lot of the 3 Rail traditional guys on OGR just 30 years later.

A6855B50-A03A-4D1D-ADA3-34377FBFC79A-3323-000005EDD9A34B30_tmp

My father bought me a book "ALL ABOARD!" By Ron Hollander. The public library in the kids section had a layout planning book that utilized the illustrated artwork found in the catalogs; Hollander's book reproduced a lot of art from the catalogs. I was hooked!

9BC117F7-A8D5-4DF0-8397-926A39598A92-3323-000005EEC4A0B41D_tmpB692226A-BE7F-404F-A5A3-9081C43E2BA0-3323-000005EE9C7188F9_tmp

In the beginning I was given N Scale; this stuff was authentic and scaled like the real thing. Not like a lot of the Lionel post war I was intrigued with, N Scale looked like real trains.  My family took me to Chicago around 1984 and when I saw the MSI's Museum & Santa Fe in original Kronkite with scale sized equipment I was on a mission and I've been addicted since. 

Why O Scale? I like detail.. I like authenticity.. I like the size! I'm still struggling with OW5... I prefer P48 

IMG_8326IMG_0313

I also believe in too each their own and I enjoy seeing what you guys are doing with the various eras you model.

IMG_8281

1940's Hotel 

IMG_3553

Early 50's Americana 

IMG_9481

1950's Hamburger Drive In

Industrial Rails modeling is so marvelous and his presentation is out of this world! He almost makes me want to grab a 1960's Penn Central ex-PRR E8 with filled port holes and dead flat black paint and weather the crap out of it! Maybe not.

Ed Rappe, John Sethian, you guys really make the hobby enjoyable for me.

I however I love seeing what everyone is doing here on OGR and I love sharing what I do.

A9249253-FAC8-4DFE-8C26-7BD1D6C3DC1F

My era ends absolutely in 1958 my latest piggyback cars are the only reason I have an SD9. Looking at my Piggyback train it's mostly the earliest variety of equipment mostly in the 1950-1955 time frame.

IMG_0546

IMG_0545

Otherwise it's PA's, Early E's, big steam, and beautiful long gleaming matched passenger trains. Love that- and that's me! Does it make me a jerk or a snob for having very little interest in anything after 1960 train wise? I hope not, but I seriously have little to no interest in modern railroading.

It's cool and one of my best friends is a "train driver" as they call them now for BNSF. But I don't know anything about the modern stuff after the 1970's . I'm lost. Very little. And I really don't want to. But I respect it and I respect those who like it. 

I really enjoy you guys it's been a lot a fun! 

What started it for you folks? 

I am not a baby boomer born in 1975 I am not a Millennial either; I am the last age group you would expect to be into 1930's-1950's .. 

 

Erik Lindgren: "transition era" 1930's to 1950's

IMG_2783

 

 

PS: It may be worth mentioning that I have never lost my love for Post War Lionel and I am a dedicated collector of Lionel 1930's through 1957. Similar era to my Scale interests. 

 

Attachments

Images (17)
  • A6855B50-A03A-4D1D-ADA3-34377FBFC79A-3323-000005EDD9A34B30_tmp
  • 169643C8-9E31-4AF9-BFFF-D3BB17AF05BA-3323-000005EDC5321CC9_tmp
  • 9BC117F7-A8D5-4DF0-8397-926A39598A92-3323-000005EEC4A0B41D_tmp
  • B692226A-BE7F-404F-A5A3-9081C43E2BA0-3323-000005EE9C7188F9_tmp
  • A9249253-FAC8-4DFE-8C26-7BD1D6C3DC1F
  • IMG_3897
  • IMG_3551
  • IMG_7678
  • IMG_5049
  • IMG_2783
  • IMG_0546
  • IMG_0545
  • IMG_8326
  • IMG_0313
  • IMG_8281
  • IMG_3553
  • IMG_9481
Last edited by Erik C Lindgren
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Erik,

similar to you, my interest is in the years 1950-1956. early generation diesels, a few steam engines and late running electrics.

EMD: E7, F3, GP7. Alco: FA2, RS3, RS11. PRR: E6s, P5, GG1. FM 24-66 trainmaster. Brill 660 gas-electric.

Heavyweight consists, head end, reefers and milk cars are most of my favorite items.

I don't consider myself a collector, other than I purchase or build what suits the era I model.

 

 

I model the steam to diesel period. Nothing beyond 1954. I became impressed with steam in 1952. I was 4 and the remaining big steam just impressed me to the core. A few years later we vacationed in Durango when DRGW still ran the narrow gauge and I spent time at  the round house and all around the locomotives. Never got over any of it. So modeling the way things looked and felt in my early childhood brings a constant flow of memories.

Generally, pre-1920 since the CVRR was entirely absorbed by the PRR by that that time; however, the periodic appearance of a CVRR that lived on as a short line makes an appearance.  At the same time. the CG&W traction line also makes a healthy appearance far beyond the passenger carrying street railway that it was in real life....

I may accumulate but I strive to not collect, while also attempting to maintain a zero sum inventory.  Please stop by my table in Chicago and help me with that effort.

Like many of you I also reach for the transition period, preferring the late steam power and some early diesel.  However, like any time of transition it is difficult to get accurate models without modifying them.

1946-1954 and more narrowly I shoot for 1948-1952 (Pretty picky I know) in an effort to model to actual time period photos.

The UP had more than a few changes over this period.  I love the Two-Tone Gray of secondary trains, but trying to find Yellow schemed diesel power and passenger equipment with correct gray trucks is difficult. Everybody seems to like the later silver (1958+).  Flashy for sure, but done to death in my opinion

- Diesel trucks were painted Aluminum/Silver beginning 1954-1955.  (ex// ALCO PA #607 photos 11/54 have gray trucks, 7/55 have silver)

- 3/52 UP announced all Passenger equipment to be painted yellow and gray. Some select older equipment still managed to ride it out to the end in Olive or TTG.

- 6/58 UP issued instructions whenever passenger equipment is serviced trucks were to be painted aluminum/silver. 

- Alco PA Union Pacific winged nose heralds had only "Union Pacific"  (at least through late 1955) the 'Railroad' wasn't added in changes begining in the late 1950s even though other newer diesels models begain having 'Railroad' included as early as 1950. It was removed again in 1969.

Curse you 2-railer guys and your accuracy! I've been infected by your desire to model it right.  Oh, the books, and magazines, online sites, and photo research....on and on......

Now to get an accurate 1952-1954 ALCO PA/PB and Harriman consist  I'm faced with the daunting prospect of spending a lot of money on new models and then immediately repainting certain things, fabricating pilot doors, and possibly replacing decals.  I guess that's the fun of the hobby!

What have I done..........

Last edited by WITZ 41

This is a great question:

In my case, I don’t really model an era, meaning, a specific time/place.

Of interest to me in general, are passenger named trains AND the history associated with them. To be more specific, most interesting to me is Streamline Steam or the first generation art deco period which might include electric, steam and diesel.

Modeling in O forces me to compromise due to availability, but the general intent of a specific train can be reached.

Charlie

WITZ 41 posted:

Like many of you I also reach for the transition period, preferring the late steam power and some early diesel.  However, like any time of transition it is difficult to get accurate models without modifying them.

1946-1954 and more narrowly I shoot for 1948-1952 (Pretty picky I know) in an effort to model to actual time period photos.

<snip>

What have I done..........

Same here. But, PRR, B&O, N&W. Inclusion of 1948 allows me to run the T-1 and  Blue Ribbon trains with both pre-and post-WWII passenger equipment, including heavyweight passenger cars. In 1952 many railroads still tried to maintain deluxe passenger service.
For me, when PRR abandoned DGLE for passenger motive power my interest in post-1952 ended. Saves me a ton of money on motive power, too.

I model part of the transition era late 1940s - 1959 which certainly includes motive power from years prior to this specific time block.  

I like first generation diesels from all real railroad manufactures, 20th century electric locos 1900 - 1955 , and all 20th century steam power.  

Curves on my layout ( 042 ) does not allow me to run scale articulated locomotives.  I do run a MTH Railking N&W Y6b which is my only articulated.  

Everything else I run is in both diesel and steam is scale.  Rolling stock both passenger ( except RDC  and MU cars ) and freight is scale as well.

The Transition Era provides for a wide variety of both motive power and diesel power.  With ALCO, Fairbanks Morse, Baldwin, EMC & EMD, Lima Hamilton, Ingersol Rand, and GE, all coming out with their individual variations of diesel locomotives in many styles ( externally and internally ) as manufactures experimented and explored their way into the diesel market.    IMHO, as a modeler, the Transition era with its variety of rolling stock and loco offerings,  is an exciting time period for me to model. 

I would love to journey back in time  to PRR Horseshoe Curve and watch trains come and go,  never knowing what kind of locomotive would be pulling the next train around the curve.   I can only imagine the thrill! 

 

All eras of railroading are truly remarkable to me. I think of the steam engines pulling a few passenger coaches,maybe a boxcar or flatcar,which in that era, was remarkable!! Way ahead of those days when there was nothing but horses & wagons. All eras hold their particular interests to me,although I became fascinated with railroads back in the late '60s.

Like most,I started with Lionel trains as a boy,worked up into HO,then spent a few years back in Chessie Era Lionel,then went back to HO&modeled there, until about 4 years back, I started into O Scale. I thought O Scale was Lionel,nothing else,but kept looking at O Trains on Atlas' Website. I still thought O was all 3rail,took me a good year to learn otherwise.

Now I'm many thousands of dollars into 2 rail O Scale & learning how much I don't know.

I model CSX from the late '80s to present day. Depending on one's particular interests,for example types of rolling stock & structures,O Scale can be difficult to model in this time frame,especially if you've never been heavy into scratch building.

Thank you for the photos & your history in Railroading it's very interesting. Fine job of modeling!!

Al Hummel

Okay....I know I'm going to get my as* booed off this forum, but I like modern era modeling.   Even though I model present day NS, the great thing about modern is the fact that I can have foreign power like UP, CP, BNSF, CSX  or whoever, and still stay true to my chosen era!    Pre 1980s, you can't really do that.  Plus, I do like strings of grain hoppers, and big tank cars.....   Now...let the as* tearing begin...LOL!

Last edited by R Nelson

I like to model the trains I actually saw, even actually rode as a boy.

This means mostly CP. Yes, I rode CP commuter trains pulled by steam on a daily basis.

Although not as exciting as the steamers I rode, these were what I spent many hours on in the early sixties, shuttling back and forth to/from school . . .

RDC Carssmall

So, I have a couple.

I moved from Toronto to Montreal in 1954, on the night train. CP3101, I fancy, may well have been on the point of that train as it did regular duty on that particular servce.

CP3101_b

I know for a fact I rode behind CP1800!

Weaver CP1800 on MTH Chassis

I am really excited at the prospect of the 3-rd Rail version of CP1800 and her sisters due later this year. Then this Weaver/MTH "Frankenengine" wiil be retired.

What does not interest me at all, are the trains I had in my childhood . . . the poorly detailed, Lionel Lines, post war stuff that were my first ones.

Attachments

Images (3)
  • RDC Carssmall
  • CP3101_b
  • Weaver CP1800 on MTH Chassis
Last edited by Terry Danks

R NELSON,

Well partner,you need company!! I'm modern CSX from mostly '80s-today & also like tankers,lumber & modern grain hoppers, 4750s & 5161s are favorites of mine too. And I like modern E&F shelf couplers.  We're not alone as modern modelers. LOL

To each his own,no offense intended to anyone,as I said earlier,I love the trains from all eras. Modern does seem to be a minority in O Scale. I don't know if it's because  O was the major scale starting in the steam era days or what,but this is the best answer I can come up with. 

Best to all.

Al Hummel

R Nelson posted:

Okay....I know I'm going to get my as* booed off this forum, but I like modern era modeling.   Even though I model present day NS, the great thing about modern is the fact that I can have foreign power like UP, CP, BNSF, CSX  or whoever, and still stay true to my chosen era!    Pre 1980s, you can't really do that.  Plus, I do like strings of grain hoppers, and big tank cars.....   Now...let the as* tearing begin...LOL!

Nothing wrong with modern.

RSJB18 posted:
R Nelson posted:

Okay....I know I'm going to get my as* booed off this forum, but I like modern era modeling.   Even though I model present day NS, the great thing about modern is the fact that I can have foreign power like UP, CP, BNSF, CSX  or whoever, and still stay true to my chosen era!    Pre 1980s, you can't really do that.  Plus, I do like strings of grain hoppers, and big tank cars.....   Now...let the as* tearing begin...LOL!

Nothing wrong with modern.

Nothing at all wrong with modern period.  One of the great thing about this hobby is that we model and run our railroads any way we like.  I say model the modern period to the max!

Eric,

Thanks for sharing how you got started in RR modeling.

Your models and photos are awe inspiring. D&RGW is a favorite RR of mine.

Space constraints have me modeling the transition era as most equipment was 40 ft long

and looks good traversing tight  042 curves. Small steam and early diesels are my favorites.

 I have scale sized equipment and plan to model a small PA town served by a Pennsy branchline.

I also like this era as there are some neat automobiles to display along with the trains .

 

I model CSX. I include naturally all the great looking cars from all the predecessor lines that now compose CSX. This includes Family Lines System,original SCL,also Chessie System. These Systems had a lot of variety in them from many eras of time. The SCL/yellow 4750 hoppers are scheduled to have been delivered last winter,but as usual are late. Am hoping Atlas will start doing 1980s era Family Lines 4750s as well as Seaboard System & Chessie System on the 4750s. You listening Atlas? Hint hint.

If I had the needed funds,I'd like to model BNSF &NS as BNSF diesels & trains run a lot on CSX and NS interchanges with CSX in my area at Milford,Indiana.

Thanks for taking this post up another interesting notch of enjoyment.

Al Hummel 

Erik,

First off, I love viewing your photos and work as it is truly inspirational.  

I was born in 1961 and lived on the southside of Chicago.  I really cannot say I had any interest in trains when I was young.  My primary memory of the 60's, as it relates to trains, is frequently being stopped in traffic for freight trains.  Although my older brother had a Lionel train set, we used it to run over toy soldiers and crash into Lincoln log structures.    

I believe the seeds of my interest in trains has more to do with modeling in miniature.  When young, I remember being fascinated with the miniature reproductions on the lower level of the Art Institute of Chicago.  It wasn't until I was surfing the web and came across Lionel on the web around 2000 that my interest started to take shape.  I did not even realize Lionel was still around, but read that they had a layout open to the public in Chesterfield, Michigan.  Always open to road trips, I drove their with my ex-wife to see the layout.  Once I saw it, I was hooked.  

Having commuted to Chicago via train, I'd always hear the names of the Rock Island lines, Chicago & Northwestern lines, CB&Q, Illinois Central, etc.  After the birth of my interest in trains, I understood more about the lines with the learnings that go along with this hobby.  What a hobby...modeling, railfanning, reading about history, photographing models and the prototype, and so on and so on.  

I learned that several of my uncles and older cousins worked for various railroads.  My brother actually gave me rags he had from my uncle with the Chicago and Northwestern name/logo on them.  

My dad came to this country in 1950 and he actually lived in the Pullman row houses when first settling in the Chicago area.  He worked at the Sherwin Williams Paint factory and walked to work.  He actually drove a lift truck emptying box cars that were spotted on the sidings there.  As my interest in trains has grown, I have found that trains impacted my life more than I ever realized.  

All of this has just caused my interesting about trains to grow exponentially.  Sorry about the rant, but that gives some background of how I settled on my modeling period and location.  To answer the question, I am modeling 1955-1961 because I regret not paying more attention to what was going on around me when I was a kid.  (I was focused on baseball, hockey, and football back then)  I am trying to model west of Chicago somewhere in Illinois or Southern Wisconsin.  I have Milw Road, CNW, Sante Fe, CB&Q, Rock Island, & Indiana Harbor Belt power on my layout.  I primarily have diesels from that era and focus on those because of the size and cost of steamers.  I only have one steamer and that is a CNW Lionel 4-6-0.

There are so many great modelers on here.  I will never come close to what many of you guys produce (Thank God for the Woodland Scenics built ups), but seeing all the great examples has caused me to evolve and lean toward having a hi-rail type layout.  

Great thread....   

   

Last edited by Boo Man

I have collected the Marx including the 3/16 and the deluxe plastic series that all couple with the tilt/fork coupler, as was my first train set. There is not that much of that, and l model 1940 with Lionel-conpatible, because much steam and even a few short-lines powered by it had survived the DEPRESSION. L-C offers a larger choice, still being produced, than Marx, though nowhere near enough variety in short-lines engines and rolling stock.  I bash and scratch build. Steam centers such as Cass, Durango, Chama interest me; contemporary railroads and rolling stock do not.

My grandfather was an account for the Rock Island. In 1912 he was in El Reno, OK and traveled throughout that part of the country. I have his pocket notebook from that year, a daily rundown of his days. He got home Christmas eve for dinner and opened some presents. Got up Christmas day' ate dinner and caught the 6 pm for Albuquerque so he could start work the next morning.

I like 1st and 2nd generation diesels and those matching cars etc. I like the Milwaukee, the BN, CB&Q and my own railroad called the Nebraska Dakota and Western RR. 4 axle locos only.

Eric, my favorite 2 locos are the CB&Q O5 4-8-4 (Sunset) and a Weaver Milwaukee 261 4-8-4. 

Dick

Not so much an era, but a date: Nov 16, 1949.   While there are a few exceptions, my layout reflects what one would have seen on the PRR and the northeast on that date.  The exceptions are a PRR HH1 (Y3) which were gone by 1947 but I wanted at least one articulated steamer, an N8 cabin which did not show up on the PRR until Jan 1950, and a PRR Q1 (also gone by 1947) because I just like that engine.  Nobody's perfect

Why that date?  It is my BD.

South Cook County,Calumet Region(Chicago) and Northwest Indiana, early 1950's through early 1960's, steam locomotives and first generation diesels layout basically one half South Cook County & Calumet Region Illinois the outer half Northwest Indiana, large U shaped layout, bottom of U is State Line crossing between Illinois and Indiana. Local, Regional and Eastern Railroad motive power freight cars national railroads and private ownership through interchange. I was a kid in the Calumet Region during this time period, started high school in 1963. Still remember the Desoto's, Packards, Plymouths, Dodges, Ramblers, Fords, Chevys, etc. parked on the residential streets during this time in the 1950's and dodging these cars when playing tag football under the streetlights before the 10:00PM curfew.

Last edited by John Ochab

   I do little "modeling", but I will detail or weather toys, although in a toyish fashion at.that A developed preference for a raw, folkart look in other things I've created, doesn't help my case. And my hands and eye sight aren't able to do what they did in my youth; so its easy to stick to that, to better meet my final expectations too.

   But the older the era, the more accuracy I like. The ornate trains of the 1800s are where I really like the fine details. Especially the truss support and brake mechs. If I would have seen On30 even one year earlier than I had, I might have a different focus today.

 Speaking of bottoms, years of unnoticed speedometer detailing in 1:24 automotive, has devolped an apathy in me towards under frame details and other mostly unseen goodies. I'm only concerned with what I see easily.

  But I do enjoy watching you guys sweat over it. The results are interesting, and knowing what goes into this, I'm often as proud of you, as you are of yourselves. Pointing out all the changes and variations is like visiting the real train forum of days gone by. I learn a lot, and even if "trivially boring" on.occasion, at least something sinks in   and that can lead to at least a mechanical interest once enough of anything if some has soaked in, and bounced around a bit, even if I never model it.

  The rants/stories of the individual hobby evolutions; fascinating, entertaining, appealing, & endearing. For those that want 2rs to "take over"; take note: More inclusive detailing of personal stories like that you might even have the tin folk reading regular and led to the edge of jumping

I was lucky enough to be trackside during the steam/diesel transition in the fifties. My Uncle Bill was working for the Central Vermont Railroad, and made sure his favorite nephew got cab time in 0-8-0 switchers as they banged cars in the CV yard in Willimantic, CT. This early exposure cemented my fondness for the steam to diesel "Transition Era" firmly in place....

Bob

My great grandpa worked for Kansas pacific, father worked for the"Q" out of Kansas and I worked as a brakeman for the NP out of Seattle, so I guess it runs in the family . I guess it stopped with me as my three sons have no interest in railroading. My main interest is 1880-1920 era,esp passenger equip, love those wood side cars. I enjoy all passenger equipment as I have the RGZ consist 1973 (have 16 altas car) so I can run the CZ as well. Not much into modern equip as the romance seems to be gone for me. 

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×