I grew up playing by L&N's double mainline tracks only 200 feet behind my home in the 1960's.  Oh, if I could only return to that time........

between "before 1930" and 1930-1959" but ultimately ended up choosing 30 to 59. I was exposed to trains a lot during the 1970's and while it was cool, I don't have the desire to go back and see what I already saw as much as I do to see something I've never seen.

Michael

I model 1959, but also might like to add a second era or two if I ever get finished with 1959, 1968.

the GP 9 was brand new and the Malley's were still around......DaveB

What I think of as the hay day of railroads passenger trains.  That is definitely 1940-1955.  The options to collect or model are quite large.  I tend to focus on a pacific northwest roads, but I find zephyrs hard to resist.  

I have been fortunate enough to see the last days of steam on the CNW, a Denver yard in 1955 that was absolutely bursting with steam engines as far as the eye could see and be chased across part of Washington in 1966 by the North Coast Limited.  

I model 1955.

Jim

Allow for M1 and GG1 on the PRR, but before all those streamloned and other diesel things.

DrJolS, SPF

THEY WERE ALIVE AND HUGE!!

I would like to go back to about 1960-1976, with my digital camera and lots of batteries and memory cards. 

Randy

Back to the formation of Conrail.  I could still see my beloved EMD F units in Cleveland along with just about every other type of loco there was.  They were all brought together under the Conrail banner.

Kerry

I echo what Randy Seiler has said. I would go back to the time period of 72-80 and like Randy have a lot of batteries and memory cards with my digital camera plus a movie camera with sound microphone to catch my favorite railroad the L&N plus the Clinchfield,Chessie System,EL,N&W,DT&I,PC,and early Conrail.

A record setting year across the board for the L&PS

 1930s early 40s. Steam Berkshires, Big Boys Cab forward, diesel like 44 toners, 70 toners, Nothing like standing 10 feet away and feel the ground rumbling under your feet, every inch of your body vibrating. Personally F7 look like a Rambler or Nash car... yuk, borrrring.

My Dad started life working for Baldwin Locomotive in Philadelphia in the 20s. A picture of him and others getting ready for a train shown in Phila. promoting Baldwin engines.