Era Modeling by Age Group?

[Rossford Yard]

Was mentioned in the Amherst thread in product discussion, but thought it would be interesting N scale thread, i.e., does your age affect your modeling era, especially in N?

I was born in 1955, model about 2000 with a generic switch layout.  Have modeled Chessie, SP (1970) in HO prior to 1984 move to Texas.   Since here, Cajon Pass (1980's for UP, SP, ATSF), then two Chicago based terminal layouts based on IBH (pre 2000, built in 2012-5).

I would say my N scale first layout was based on what I thought would be available in locos.  Chessie (HO) and IBH (N, childhood Chicago) were childhood interests/memories.  But, the terminal concept was conceived around my love of various loco paint schemes that kept coming more and more available.

Short version, in N, I am not modeling my childhood, seem to keep up with times (about a decade behind reality) and prefer variety.

What motivates your layout modeling choices?

Proto Railroad?
Proto Era?
Availability of Locos/Rolling Stock (might change eras/roads if enough became available)
Collectorism, no real favorites? (and maybe no layout?)
Other, not fitting in any of these broad categories?

[Philip H]

There's gotta be a good poll in here somewhere . . . .

I was born in 1971 and model modern KCS, with a smattering of Era IV RENFE from Spain to keep it interesting.

[Tom Todd]

I model 1956, born in 1953.  I also model Great Northern.  That was the year that they changes paint schemes on freight cars.  They started Vermilion Red from Mineral Red.  So a mix of colors was what I went for.
Tom Todd

[garethashenden]

Born in 1987, modelling B&M c. 1971. I’m also modelling the North London Railway c.1904 and dable with a few other things, all before I was born.

[k27463]

I was born in 1990...

I model transition era CB&Q in N, transition era Frisco in HO, and depression era D&RGW in large scale 

[wazzou]

Born in mid-sixties, raised in Northern California, reside in Washington.  Model mid-sixties NP Branchline in Washington.

[C855B]

UP, 1965-1975, barely enough to catch the early Dash-2s. I guess it would technically fit "childhood nostalgia" in terms of era vs. age correspondence, but those memories were very brief snapshots from the back seat of the station wagon on two coast-to-coast vacation trips, just passing through on US30.

The interest is mostly in recreating the flavor of what I had just missed - by the time I was old enough to venture out on my own, much of what I found interesting was gone. '60s and '70s were a transition era in terms of the diversity of railroading, and definitely not for the better. Staggers Act saw to that.

[MVW]

Recapping my comments from the other thread:

• Born in 1962, grew up 1.5 blocks from the Chicago & North Western's line across southern Minnesota
• Have little interest in any prototype other than the C&NW
• Model the C&NW in 1954-55, set in southwest Iowa
• Chose that date and location primarily for operations purposes, so I could include the "City" streamliners and high-priority freights for locals to work against
• If I ever change eras (highly unlikely), it would probably be to somewhere between 1925-45
• Attraction to the transition era is primarily passenger service, although the desire to run at least a few steamers is also strong

Up until just about the time I was born, you could hop on board the "400" in my small, rural town and ride the nearly 500 miles to Chicago (with maybe one cross-platform transfer). I never lived that reality, but I "miss" it, all the same.

Jim

[ristooch]

Born 1961.

Model generic modern-day, favoring Western roads (UP, BNSF, SP, ATSF) in Western-ish scenery. Prefer to model stuff that looks like what I see, rather than trying to re-create the past.

Occasionally run steam around the layout for kicks, either pulling a "photo freight" of my older cars (including my first few given by parents circa 1971), but it's not impossible to see a Big Boy pulling a stack train.

Paul

[GhengisKong]

I was born in 1990...

I model transition era CB&Q in N, transition era Frisco in HO, and depression era D&RGW in large scale 

Born in 1987, modelling B&M c. 1971. I’m also modelling the North London Railway c.1904 and dable with a few other things, all before I was born.

Nice to see others in my age group on here! (Those danged millenials! ) I, myself, am a 1988 model.

As for my preferences, I model exclusively N scale with Rock Island and MKT 1972-1976 and Rock Island, UP, and T&P in the transition era.

[djconway]

Born in 1955 -- Model the area I grew up in, in the mid i960's.
Just about the time I was starting to get mobile 10-12 and started to notice trains.

[DKS]

Another 1955 baby. My preference is to model the Northeast, where I was born, in the year I was born, as odd as that may sound.

[Dave V]

Born on Long Island in 1974.  I model Colorado narrow gauge in the 40s.

Go figure...   

[davefoxx]

Born in the Mid-Atlantic in 1970.  I model southeastern roads in 1983-86, i.e., childhood nostalgia.

DFF

[CRL]

Born 1952, model UP branch line operations with a cut off date of no later than 1982 or so. I settled on UP because SP was sold out at the train store. Set a cut off date of 1982 to control budget and corresponds to UP/MP merger.