As I commenced building my 3rd layout, I sat back and reviewed past issues of "Model Railroad Planning"(MRP) to avoid mistakes I have made in the past. I will make mistakes again on this layout because i'm human but intend to make less of them.I was reading the 2004 issue MRP and on page 36 there was an article of a person named Mat building an 18' x 21' layout, scale not metioned... the article states that "Mat estimated that it would take two years to get the railroad running, four years to complete all track and wiring, and 13 years to finish the layout". On page 37 a custom builder stated it cost $150 per square foot for benchwork,track,scenery and a control system. As I'm approaching the ripe old age of 55, that's some scary thoughts where I'll be 68 years old at a minimum cost of $12,000 building my 8 X 10 HO layout.
Sure, you could take that long, and you could spend that much. But, it doesn't have to be that way.
At the slightly more ripe age of 58, I started my 5x12 HO layout. The plan was an ambitious undertaking, but I prefer challenges. First, I built a subway, with full scenery in the stations and the tunnels. I mounted a camera in the front car so that I could see all my handiwork as the train went through. When I was done with that, I started building a more conventional layout on top of it. Not a "multideck" layout, mind you, but directly above, so the subways were right beneath the streets of the above-ground layout.
Over the last few weeks, I've been putting the finishing touches on this layout. Yes, I've still got another structure or two to assemble, and I'd really like some train-activated crossing signals, but to look at the layout, you'd never notice that it's not quite done yet.
It took me 4 years. I'm working a full-time job, and I've got a family. In the winter, we spend most of our weekends away skiing. One or two evenings a week I play ice hockey. It's a full life, hardly a hermit's existence with my trains.
I didn't track the cost. I didn't really want to know. I started with a few boxes of old trains from my childhood. I've managed to bring back many pieces of rolling stock, but the locomotives, with one exception, really could not be brought up to modern standards. So, it was all new engines and track, plus a DCC system and decoders, most, now, with sound. If I had to come up with a number, I'd say 3-4 thousand out of pocket. And that includes the trains, which I'd assume the custom builder's estimate did not.
Along with this comes all the skills I've learned, everything from mixing plaster and casting stone walls to installing decoders and building my own circuitry. When I think of what I've invested in time and money, and then think of what I've gotten in return, man, what a bargain.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Awww, ya had to go and bring that up? After I've spent the last two years just designing my layout...
Seriously, I guess it depends on what knocks your socks off. If it's buildin' then you're at the right place - startin' another one. If it's operating, I hope you belong to a club in the meantime! If you're a Bean Counter (no offense to anyone intended), you might be in the wrong hobby!
This hobby has so many facets, it's probably one of the few hobbies that allows one to explore such a broad range of skills, techniques, history, resources, suppliers, etc. It's really pretty cool when you think about it. I think that's what intrigues me the most.
The variety is also one of the reasons its especially important to develop a good set of objectives and constraints when designing a layout. Especially those constraints related to dollars and time. You just might not be able to build that museum sized layout. I spent some time writting down my objectives and constraints before I started designing, and it's already saved me from buying many a railroad car or engine just because they looked "cool". However, if buying cool looking railroad cars is your objective, that's ok too.
Finally, I think Model Railroading is good therapy. That easily justifies the amount you're talking about as opposed to professional methods of therapy!
Bob O.
P.S. I hope no one takes any offense.... just havin a little fun...
A lot of layouts never get finished. I visited John Armstrong's layout shortly before it was dismantled. After 50 years it wasn't finished. John Allen worked on his layout for over 20 years and didn't finish. Enjoy the journey.
I am currently building a 14 x 23 ft layout that I do not expect to finish before I retire and move. I also don't expect to spend anywhere near $150 a square foot. Actual layout not counting aisles is 126 sq ft which at 150/sq ft equals $18,900. I expect to come in under $6000 for scenery, track, benchwork, and control system.
Enjoy
Paul