Earl Bathurst Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Its a question that I wounder if you could choose a decase to live in what would it be? People always say im old fasioned in my ways but but the decade i would have liked to have lived would have been late 1940/ 1950 reason being you aint got the hustle and bustle of modern life. People looked out for each other, and of course the rail network would not have seen the dramatic cuts of beeching yet and steam was still king of the rail. Peoples attitude have change alot from what you read of that era lots of people now only care about them selves and not about anyone else which is a shame. Young people seemed more innocent for longer not growing up from a very young age. ( I might be wrong but this is what i observe) So what decade would you like to live if you could? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Max Stafford Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I know what you're getting at and I myself can see the attractions of that particular era. Realism though tells me that today's vastly improved healthcare, sanitation and housing (largely) are things that make life good today, despite the many faults in modern society. I certainly like the style and appearance of objects, machines, clothing from that era though. I once did an on-line personality based questionnaire that supposedly determined which decade suited the subject best. According to the results I belong in the 1930s! Certainly, I feel like a stranger in my own age most of the time despite only being 47! Anyway let's jump in the Austin and take a drive down the local. Fancy a smoke old boy? Dave. Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catkins Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I've often thought that I would be happiest in the '40s - - 1840's that is, It was a time when Great Britian was changing and developing, a place where people got places on the basis of what you knew, and to a lesser extent and who your father was. I am well aware that life expectancy was lower, and for the majority education, sanitation and health care were primative, but again the times they "were a-changing" to paraphrase Bob Dylan. Although I would love to go back to 1984/1985 somewhere near the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire borders and levels, possibly pushing it to Shuttleworth or Millbrook - but I wouldn't like to be eight and a half again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Trevellan Posted December 8, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2011 A fascinating thought and the subject of a few alcohol-fuelled discussions with friends over the years. I used to think that the mid-1930s would have been a great time to live, but people I have known who actually lived through those years tended to laugh at such a rose-tinted view of the past. And, of course, we all know what happened at the end of that decade. Every decade I've lived through has had its good and bad points. I suppose the short answer to the OT is that I'm fairly content with the here and now - but would love to see the return of moral and ethical values from 40-50 years ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted December 8, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2011 The 2050s Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WindyHale76 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I'd like to live in the late 50s/60s, living exactly where I live now and doing the same job. Still with a Yeovil Branchlines. The Fleet Air Arm with real fixed wing aircraft and carriers. A weekend trainspotting up the road to see the Somerset and Dorset before the Western Region got their destructive hands on the line. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted December 8, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 8, 2011 I'd like to live in the late 50s/60s, living exactly where I live now and doing the same job. Still with a Yeovil Branchlines. The Fleet Air Arm with real fixed wing aircraft and carriers. A weekend trainspotting up the road to see the Somerset and Dorset before the Western Region got their destructive hands on the line. Yes, but wouldn't you like to be able to record those events with 21st Century equipment? What was that TV show where the main character went backwards & forwards between the 1990s & 1940s? He was regarded as weird by the people of both time zones. Kevin Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 What was that TV show where the main character went backwards & forwards between the 1990s & 1940s? He was regarded as weird by the people of both time zones. Goodnight Sweetheart? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted December 8, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2011 I too would love to be an adult in the early 1960's but yes I would have to be able to do that with todays technology as couldn't survive without it!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WindyHale76 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I think to me it's more about the atmosphere, Yes if I could take back some HD recording equipment and film to my hearts content this would be ace. But thinking of the thrill to actually travel on the ACE behind a Bulleid Pacific or even an LMS Twin this on it's own would be worth it. It's nice to see some of these preserved but they are in a way caged and limited to what they use to do. Actual working steam where they actually earned their crust is more fitting to them. Even a chance of Travelling on the Devon Belle would be enjoyable. So if any time travellers are reading this thread and want some to help out I'm sure there are a load of us who would love to experience the golden age of steam. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted December 8, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2011 To do the ACE all the way from Waterloo a number of times, each time doing a different portion would be superb. Count me in if a time traveller does get in touch!! Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 The Sixties. Even though some say that if you can remember the Sixties, then you weren't really "there". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WindyHale76 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Is he member of the Forum if so as long as I'm home by tea count me in Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted December 8, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 8, 2011 Goodnight Sweetheart? Of course. Thanks Kevin Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted December 8, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 8, 2011 Is he member of the Forum if so as long as I'm home by tea count me in You'd hope he'd be more reliable than The Doctor, would refuse to define which tea time. Kevin Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dilbert Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I think to me it's more about the atmosphere, Yes if I could take back some HD recording equipment and film to my hearts content this would be ace. My thoughts are much along the same lines. Go back to the mid-30s without the knowledge/hindsight of what has happened since, armed only with pen & paper. Twenty-fours hours would suffice and return to the current enviromnet and use that experience where practical... dilbert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I know what you're getting at and I myself can see the attractions of that particular era. Realism though tells me that today's vastly improved healthcare, sanitation and housing (largely) are things that make life good today, despite the many faults in modern society. I certainly like the style and appearance of objects, machines, clothing from that era though. I once did an on-line personality based questionnaire that supposedly determined which decade suited the subject best. According to the results I belong in the 1930s! Certainly, I feel like a stranger in my own age most of the time despite only being 47! Anyway let's jump in the Austin and take a drive down the local. Fancy a smoke old boy? Dave. It's funny how certain things stick in the brain. One occasion I can remember, waiting for a bus in the old Chelmsford bus station sometime in the mid 1970's, two old ladies, a few yards away, bemoaning life at that time, and wishing life was like it was in the 1940's (??), when a bloke passed me and said quietly-' colour tele, washing machines, you'd think they'd be bleeding happy', I just burst out laughing, they turned round wondering what it was I found funny. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggy1953 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 For me it would be the 50s, back to my childhood. Every thing seemed so simple and fair ( it probably wasn't ) with plenty of work for everyone. As for children growing up younger nowadays !!! I dont think so. They may appear to be grown up but i started work at 15. My son will soon be 15, Work you must be joking he cant even make a cup of tea and a slice of toast. Only knows how to use an X-Box and NEVER puts anything away. Moan Moan Moan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naruto Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Definitely 80s.. the last sane generation to have walked on this Earth Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted December 8, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 8, 2011 Just to get the best I would like my decade to be 1965 to 1975 and me to be 25 at the start and still 25 at the end! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Having been there, I'd like now to go back to the 1940s and 50s. I could put up with coal fires, no central heating, a hot water geyser because I did then. But the benefits of having things to do outdoors far outweights any problems in the home. Prewar Trams, buses that all had their own charactistics and civic pride liveries, steam everywhere, and cheap transport fares. I wouldnt need to model the darn things when the real thing was just a sort walk away. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted December 8, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2011 I follow the logic expressed in all these ideas, but the reality is never quite the same. The OP's idea of the late '40s/early '50s would indeed be full of steam and goods trains - but life was pretty hard for many people. Sure, the war was over, but the Pandora's Box of nuclear warfare was now open, and who knew what might flare up to invoke its use - Russia had proved to be a difficult ally once Hitler was gone. Money was scarce, relatively few families had a car, let alone a tv or washing machine. The Welfare State had made a great start on eradicating true poverty - but there was a long way to go, and the nation's housing stock was in very poor nick, much having suffered in the war. The towns looked grimy and unloved, as they had been since the end of the '30s, and the Clean Air Act was still some years ahead, so smogs still threatened the health of many. Super for gricing, but life would have seemed a struggle, I suggest. The time-traveller day-ticket would be essential! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poggy1165 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I would only want to go back for a short time, equipped with a suitable collection of gold sovereigns, but Manchester in the 1912-14 era would be awesome from a transport point of view. Wouldn't want to live there permanently, though I suppose it would be amusing to visit my grandparents as young people. Despite many people's tales to the contrary, the 1970s was quite a good time to be alive - if I had to 'stay' in an era, that's the one I'd pick. We still had a society then, and if you went in the right pubs there was decent beer, at a very sensible price. Train rides were cheap too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iL Dottore Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 With a very deep and generous bank-balance? any decade, any century. With a reasonable middle-class income? the 60s (great music, Mk 2 Jags end of steam, love-ins , cold war Berlin, First Class TEEs, Boeing 707 Pan Am Clippers, BOAC, the B*** P*****n, exotic cheroots for those so inclined , great music, brand new (eventually prized vintage) guitars at 60s prices, double-rover tickets, early (pre Pertwee) Dr Who...) Mind you, I'd have to avoid myself (I grew up in London in the Sixties) as I'd be crossing my own time stream - and we all know what happens when THAT occurs on Dr Who... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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