Setting questions

[Summertrainz]

im starting a new jersey railroad in 1950's
what would the stores look like to depict 1950's?
and would there be steam and diesel trains?

[Bojangle]

As for the stores and general appearance, you need to do some research, as on Google.  As for the locos, someone else may answer that.
Bo

[mlt1]

I grew up in Jersey.  Never saw any steam locos in passenger or freight service.  Buildings were often brick front in town centers.  Cape Cod was a popular house style in that time frame in suburban areas, or "farm houses" in the country.

[SteamGene]

You need to try do do some research.  However, the DPM buildings are perfect for the 1950s as are the Smalltown (?) and many of the Walthers kits - I'm thinking their depots, the diner, the gas station, the coal dealer, among others. 
Steam depends on when in the 1950s.  In 1951-53 there would probably still be a lot of steam.  By 1957 most would be gone.  It would also depend on WHERE in New Jersey.  Many large citis had smoke ordinances.
Gene

[jayl1]

The last CNJ passenger train ran on September 24, 1955 as a special run so mainline steam passenger service was gone by then. The first diesel box cab came is 1925.  After World War II, diesels came - Baldwin babyfaces, F7s in 1947, Alco RS1, RS3, & FM trainmasters by 1956.

Railraods with passenger sevvice in Jersey include Reading, Jersey Central, Erie Lackawanna, Lehigh Valley. Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Line.  Add freight haulers such as Lehigh & Hudson River, Susquehanna, Black River & Western, Hoboken Shore, Morristown & Erie, Rahway Valley, & Raritan River.  Some op these are shortlines so your location could determine which one(s) to use.

Most freight cars would be 40' box cars &  other  short cars.