As a reference, I was thinking that some might consider the 2nd Generation of Diesels started as early as the SD24, or GP20, and that the GP30, regardless of the other 2, was a 2nd Generation Diesel.
Back in the 80's I was looking at modeling the 1968-1978 period(nothing later than 78). This was in part given that the region I'm looking to model was primarily in the blue sea of Conrail, after 4/1/1976(or 77).
In the time since, I've moved and narrowed things some to say from 1975 or 76-1990 or so. I've always liked 'large power,' such as Trainmasters, and found things like AS-16s to be something that not every railroad had, but the Reading did, that I'd like to find a rationale to include some things like these.
I probably have the motive power so that I could move the period a few years either way, but my layout isn't really running at this point, or have much scenery done, so I may narrow my focus more (probably) or less, or change the date, again, in the future. At this point, in some ways, I might settle on 1988, 89, or 90, as the NYS&W was the directed operator of the D&H(excuse to run NYSW equipment), with the exception that I'd also like to be able to include SD70s the Susie-Q had in the 90's and have some Acela runs, + maybe some HHP-8s, and ALP-44s, in addition to E60s, E33s, AEM-7s, Metroliners (perhaps), and Silverliner II or IIIs, and several other earlier electrics.
My concept is some what freelanced, so as long at I can explain my variations from reality to some degree, I feel that I may be able to include some models, and perhaps exclude some others, as part of the trade off-given & druthers.
When I sit down and figure out the service dates of these and some other equipment/trainsets, I'll see what date(s) make sense, and that will be it. Worst comes to worse, I might period swap, given what I've got, if I can't make up my mind, and have enough equipment.
Back in the 80's a lot of better running locomotives and additional paint schemes were added to manufacturer's lines, like Reading AS-16s, and RS-3s. As the manufacturers improved their models in the late 80's and 90's, and continued to include more paint schemes, I acquired a lot of new locomotive models, as they came out, even with multiple numbers. Eventually, I had less money, and a lot of stuff all ready, so I cut back on 'weekend purchases.' With the prices now 3-4x times what I paid for some very well running models back in the late 80's and 90's, albeit, without DCC, sound, or details galore, I'm fine with what I have, as some of these models have been discontinued, and I like doing things like adding details to my models.
