Cost per square foot of your layout

[alton6]

I have not been a serious modeler, but my guess is that the tractive effort expended in order to have a good time running toy trains, should make them pretty cost effective comparatively. Not as much down time down the line, so to speak.

[alton6]

jkerklo....Actually, I WAS thinking of other yards. But hey, we cover a lot more ground by staying on the mainline. Highball!

Carl

[Anonymous]

You guys need to start doing something other than trains. I somehow doubt that comparing your significant other to a train is something they would enjoy or find flattering.

The stars have something to do with the number of posts you've made. When you get over 50 you get one star; over 100 you get 2. I don't know when after that you get 3.

Tony

[jkerklo]

Tony,

You are quire right, but what else can compare with trains on a cost /play-value basis.

At least I, was making comparisons to engines that are no longer on the layout.

Along those lines, I have always thought that trackside accessories were a good way to add a little more action to a layout. Did you know that Lionel's first electrical trackside accessory operated with an isolated outside rail was its 69/O69 Electric Warning Signal. It was introduced in 1921. A bell would ring as a train went by.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com

[Anonymous]

I'm new to the hobby and I only have a 4x8 layout so I guess I'm not as good as you all are but I figure I have around $10 per square foot in my layout including trains, track, and other stuff. I don't count my labor for building and my electrical stuff and wire was free to me. I don't have expensive trains, just some Lionel 027 sets that I have gotten from family and flea markets. Some day I'll have layouts as good as you all, but I have to make more money and pay for my shelter and utility bills and stuff. My uncle has a lot of train stuff that he has collected over many years. He let me play with his layouts when I was little.

[Anonymous]

I came up with about 40.00 per sq. ft. , for a 320 s.f layout , (trains included) but while I was figuring ,the little woman walks in to help me...Steam came out her ears like from my 19714 NYC Caboose, but SHE finished the calculations . While she was working upstairs , I went down to the kitchen to measure the Chint cabinet (6 shelves @ 6 s.f. each = 36 s.f. ) where she keeps her Waterford Crystal collection. Her total came out to 250.00 per s.f. Well how the tables have turned. Her last comment was that in all fairness I needed to buy more trains and accessories. OH MY GOD , shes heading for the workshop with a tape measure...got to stop her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!