Which Model Railroad Era Is Right for You?

As you start to get serious about model railroading, you’ll no doubt have to make a decision about which era of train history you want to focus on. After all, it would hardly make sense to run a nineteenth-century train around a layout set from the 1950s. Consider the four periods of train history to help you determine which model railroad era is right for you.

The Early Years, 1860–1920

This era saw the invention of the steam locomotive and its adoption as a significant system of transportation. However, most of the railroads during this period were owned by private companies, which created some differences between major lines.

If you like the look of old Wild West scenes or Victorian landscapes, you’ll enjoy railroading in this era.

The Golden Era, 1920–1945

You can think of this period as the era of train history in which countries began forming large networks of trains. This helped trains take over as the primary mode of transportation for workers, soldiers, travelers, and all manner of goods. You’ll like this era if you’re interested in the globalization of trains as a major industry.

The Diesel Era, 1945–1970

During the middle of the twentieth century, trains lost a lot of business due to competition from highways and motor vehicles. However, this era also saw some fascinating developments in train engineering, including the switch from steam to diesel fuel. If you’re looking to work with the most popular era of railroading history, this is the one.

The Modern Era, 1970–Present

Modern trains continue to be useful in transportation, but they work in tandem with trucking and shipping networks. They also see different levels of popularity depending on which country you’re in. The modern era is probably the second most popular because of its innovations, like the bullet train and other technologically innovative designs.

No matter which era of model railroading you decide is right for you, Midwest Model Railroad has you covered. We’ve got HO scale freight cars, locomotives, passenger cars, scenery, and everything else you need to get started. Visit us in person or on our website to view our impressive stock of model railroading supplies!