12-19-2013, 09:29 AM
While I realize there are differences, it seems to me that late-70s-to-early-90s is a consistent enough period that I almost wouldn't call having different emphases within that period "switching eras", in the sense that a 2-8-2 on a freight is definitely a different era from a GP38-2 set on a freight. Is anyone going to complain seriously about the tank cars you'd run for late 70s vs the ones you'd run for mid 90s? And yeah, DeWitt Geeps or CF7s were present late 70s and gone by mid 90s. but nobody who isn't a jerk is going to call you on that! I'd say pull the stuff you have out, install DCC, and have at it!
EDIT: On the other hand, in light of the season, it's worth keeping in mind the know-it-all kid in Polar Express, who most certainly would point out that the post-1980 COTS stencils on certain freight cars would be utterly incorrect on any layout pretending to be late 1970s! So beware of following such a path, Chris!
EDIT: On the other hand, in light of the season, it's worth keeping in mind the know-it-all kid in Polar Express, who most certainly would point out that the post-1980 COTS stencils on certain freight cars would be utterly incorrect on any layout pretending to be late 1970s! So beware of following such a path, Chris!