ERA?

I assume Postwar, Modern?  It's been a while since I filled out the app.

Doug

thanks doug you made it simple!

Doug is correct. ERA refers to the years of a member's primary interest. Generally, they are Prewar (before World War II), Postwar (1945-1969), and Modern (1970-Present). "Modern" can be preceded by "MPC" (Model Products Corporation; 1970-1986). "Modern" then spans 1987 to the Present.

my wife thought it meant european railway association.

Lately I have noticed several references to MPC and Modern being mutually exclusive. When was the Modern era redefined to exclude MPC?

C.W.:  Didn't the MPC period end about 1980?  Gee, that's about 33 years, or so; longer than the whole Post War period was in place.  1945 to 1969; just 24 (very prolific!) years.  Then the "Kughne era", then, finally, the new "modern" era. 

Works for me.

Paul Fischer

You don't have to complicate your answer by trying to correctly name high railer's terms.  Just put down the years you like such as late 50s, 40s - 60s etc.

.....

Dennis

We can only communicate when we agree on what words (terms) mean. After seeing the comment  above about separating MPC from the rest of the modern era, I did a little poking around.

I found an article by Mike Stella suggesting that the MPC period be separated from the rest of the Modern era.

I also noticed that the Trainz website had materials defining the MPC period as being its own era from 1970 to 1986, with the Modern era starting in 1987.

There is plenty of material that reflects the traditional idea that the modern era covers everything made from 1970 and on.

IMHO, we have already divided the Modern era into three parts, which are MPC, LTI, and Lionel LLC. Each of these parts (terms) are clearly defined and well understood.

On the other hand, the term "Modern Era" has become clouded.

I only comment because the original poster asked.

About 50 years ago it was the 'notorious' proposed Equal Rights Amendment, R.I.P..

I really don't know what 'era' refers to anymore.  At my age, looking back on its 68 years, EVERYTHING seemed to be an 'era'...Postwar era, Vietnam war era, Reagan era, Clinton era, Cold War era, Civil Rights era, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseum.  It seemed to have been a way to carve up history into segments of questionable behavior or justification for the next round of 'progress' in the American evolution, more than anything else.   Come to think of it, I guess it continues. 

Meanwhile, back at the TCA ranch and their question re 'era'...   My choice of U.S. railroading era would be the so-called 'transition era'...steam-to-diesel motive power transition...typ. 1940's through 1950's.  But, it sure isn't a very wallet-limiting one to model! 

I have no idea what you'd call today's railroading era or when it began or when it will be considered over. 

KD

Production during the MPC years shares much more in common with classic Postwar than with current production, and production during the LTI years isn't really much different.  Only the advent of RS and CC--the Electronic Era--really marks a significant transition (in hindsight, significant though the '69 - '70 transition and the '85 - '86 transition seemed at the time).  In fact, an MPC Alco is much more like a PRE-war locomotive than a current production diesel.

This is a point I made years ago in a piece in CTT.

When TV and hobbies such as slot racing drained interest from toy trains during the 1960's and 1970's, Lionel (then MPC) was the last big manufacturer left standing. The name "Modern" separated Postwar trains from MPC trains. When Richard Kughn acquired Lionel, "Modern" still designated Lionel trains made after the Postwar era. Since 1990, trains made by MTH, Weaver, Atlas O, Williams (by Mike Wolfe and now by Bachmann), 3rd Rail, and a host of others are straining that "Modern" name.

Today, people usually identify their trains by manufacturer instead of "Era."

I like palallin's "Electronic Era." But someone could confuse that with Lionel's high-priced Electronic Postwar set.

No matter which term we use, there are so many trains around today that some won't fit.

I propose "Digital Era" for the newer stuff.  I've tried to campaign that term in CTT.  

It seems to me that the TCA looks at it this way:

(1) Prewar

(2) Postwar

(3) Modern (anything after 1 & 2).

Keep it simple, folks!  John's list (above) is a good general overview and the way it is most commonly viewed.  The "Modern Era" can certainly be sub-divided into several categories, but those primarily apply to Lionel and the contemporary scene includes a number of other manufacturers who have made significant impacts on the market and the hobby.  I would resist trying to divide things into too many sub-categories, even if it is possible to do.

We trolley guys all know that ERA means Electric Railroaders Association.

Lew Schneider

In light of all the baseball themed trains in the latest lionel catalog, I humbly submit Earned Run Average!