This is a silly question in some ways but I'm trying to figure out why I like to model the 1950s (for my Canadian trains) and the 1950s and 1960s for my British model trains.

I think I know the answer to this but find my reasons interesting. To me (a guy who is almost 50), the 1950s and '60s still seem kind of familiar. Sure, this was a long time ago but I can still relate to and understand that time. It's obviously different from today but still similar enough to relate to and feel comfortable with.

Occasionally, I will run my layout in a 1930s mode -- as I have some steam model trains that reflect that period. But the '30s seem really old and distant, a little off-putting! I realize that some folks will model the 1920s and earlier, even going back to the "teens" and the 19th century. But these time periods feel really ancient and foreign to me. To me, it would feel a little foreign and strange to model (say) the 1920s.

I hope I'm making sense. I guess I have nostalgic feelings for the time around when I was a kid. If I'm correct, someone who is now in their 30s should have a fondness for the 1970s ... and someone who is in their 20s should like for the 1980s, etc.

I just thought I'd ask others what they think of this. For example, are there any 20-something model railroaders who think that the 1960s is incredibly ancient history and (because of that) would be put off from modeling that era?

Thanks!

Rob

Hi Guys, here is another Grain Elevator i have just finished off today. This one was done for ADM Grain. Tell me what you guys think? I built this from 2 Walthers Cornerstone Series Grain Elevator Kits. The Silo structure was made double long (2 rows of 8 silos, 16 silos total) and the main structure was built pretty much stock. Here are a few pictures, tell me what you guys think of it. Ill be listing this one for sale mid next week on ebay.

what is it called when you use static electricity to put on grass. I thought there was talk about this over at the utter site . I thought some one had talked about making a home made applicator that put a static charge on the grass when you apply it to the layout . Any help please Thanks in advance Roger

had a little problem with the long strips of window glazing laying flat when installing them on my 85ft passenger cars,
Found these did the trick,just inexpensive potato chip bag clamps,found 4 to a package at the dollar store.

I was down in Philly the other day and despite time restrictions, bad weather and running around with my 2 kids I still got to take in some trains.
first off we have the subway.    
next is the waiting room at Penn station.    
The main entrance.    

I'm currently writing an ongoing series of modeling cliches. I define "modeling cliches" as a visual or design layout element that most people see and notice that something is amiss, but they can't exactly put their finger on it. This is an ongoing series, so I'll add to this post as time goes on.

Let me know what you think. I think this should be discussed in the modeling community.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://modelrailroading.wordpress.com/?s=cliche">http://modelrailroading.wordpress.com/?s=cliche</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://elkhartproject.newsvine.com/_news/2009/04/16/2688666-watching-the-economy-rumbling-by">http://elkhartproject.newsvine.com/_new ... umbling-by</a><!-- m -->

If you like to use your track CAD to "doodle, and/or are somewhat "challenged" in the use of these programs, I found this software:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html">http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html</a><!-- m -->

Hey guys-here are some shots of my layout.The first one shows most of the freight handling area. The bulkhead flatcar was done while taking a layout break.


The next shot is of the coal dealer.At first it had a coal tower for storage but wasn't happy with it. I re-did it using Walthers Bulk Transfer area as a guide. I added heavy timber walls with coal bunkers.A front-end loader moves the coal around and loads trucks. Conveyors unload the coal.


The last shows the overpass which I use as a view block to separate the yard/switchback tracks from the rest of the layout/The bottom track leads to a wood chip collector,while the bottom road leads to the main building.


While the ballast is done and ground cover in place there is still lots to do.More ground cover,details,vehicles,etc.
Enjoy-Bob

This is a coffee table layout I built several years ago. We still have it and it still looks the same as it did the day I finished it. I don't remember if I ever showed this on the "other" site. I had forgotten about it until I was doing a similar YouTube search just now and it popped up. So, just for kicks, for those that remember it, here it is again...
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfn29MH97SY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfn29MH97SY</a><!-- m -->

The music was some generic clip I selected off of their site to fit the length of my video. The glass has been removed to reduce reflections in the video.