Found a pliable plastic log cabin from a Wild West play set at a garage sale for 10 cents. With a little work,
At another garage sale, I found a bronze model of an offshore oil rig, mounted on a heavy wood base as a safety award. Not quite scale, but it can be visible off in the distance. (This is a mockup, the rig has not been rebuilt yet...)
For once, something I just happened to find, is not only usable but fits a scene I want to model.
Replaceable mop heads but my wife didn't like they worked.
Hi,
In my younger days, MR was financed by whatever means possible. I scavenged wood from wherever I could - even using a "sorry for the inconvenience" piece of ply signed by Chicago's mayor Daley (Daddy, not the son). I dyed sawdust and used old coffee grounds for scenery, and bought plaster of paris from the local hardware store for 5 cents/lb.
My paper route provided monies for cars and the two locos I had. Christmas and birthdays brought turnouts and other more expensive stuff. Creativity and ingenuity were the ways to the end, however.
You know what is remarkable? That first layout in that dark old Chicago basement gave me more fun and enjoyment than the expensive and elaborate HO layout in the next room.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
"JaBear" Gidday,nothing wrong with "Budget Model Railroading". What is important is YOUR satisfaction and enjoyment. Keep Having Fun. Cheers, the Bear.
Gidday,nothing wrong with "Budget Model Railroading". What is important is YOUR satisfaction and enjoyment.
Keep Having Fun.
Cheers, the Bear.
Boy, do I feel a Kinship with you guys! I have always loved building all my rolling stock and most of my power from kits. I tend to add detail where I think I will like the results better; or, having fun doing so.
To each his own! My own is saving money in this hobby and building models from scratch; or, kit!
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
BRAKIE ...I recently bought several MDC kits off e-bay.
...I recently bought several MDC kits off e-bay.
I would say the vast majority of my rolling stock is "sale" items like the old Accurail, Athearn, or Roundhouse kits. I enjoy assembling them, detailing and weathering them and adding new KD couplers and such. I agree, eBay is easy to find deals if you are patient and don't get caught up in the "win at all cost" mentality. My LHS has a ton of the old Athearn kits in stock and because I am pretty much the only one buying them, he often times gives me a buy-one-get-one just to move them off the shelf . Nothing wrong with being frugal in my books .
Happy modeling!
Don.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."
EMD Don,
That is exactly what I have done. Get a loco with limited markings and basically the same color as MRL. Then I strip and/or repaint them, add decals and I have a MRL in the prototype from their roster listing.
EMD.DonThere is nothing wrong with budget modeling. I think we all do it to varying degrees.
Don,I done that for years until I got caught up in the highly detailed stuff in fact I recently decided :From where the sun now stands I will buy no more high end models.
I recently bought several MDC kits off e-bay.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
eaglescoutThis is not a rant over the high cost of modeling today. It is my philosophy on getting a lot more locomotives for a lot less. In recent weeks I was looking at switching locomotives for BN, GN and Montana Rail Link. I could fine none for MRL and for the other lines they were running $90-$200, many with DCC that I do not need or want.
LION builds his railroad on the cheap. If you want to see how many corners the LION has actually cut, just click on his link below.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
There are a few listings on EvilBay for HO MRL items. You could also pick up some MRL decals and cheap locomotives marked in another railroads scheme and paint up your own MRL locomotives for minimal price. There is nothing wrong with budget modeling. I think we all do it to varying degrees.
This is not a rant over the high cost of modeling today. It is my philosophy on getting a lot more locomotives for a lot less. In recent weeks I was looking at switching locomotives for BN, GN and Montana Rail Link. I could fine none for MRL and for the other lines they were running $90-$200, many with DCC that I do not need or want.
I picked up three older Athearn units on Ebay for less than $30 each including shipping. With new lube and couplers each runs great with still under $100 invested for three locomotives instead of $270-$600 plus tax and shipping. Yes, they are not as detailed as today's models but I am happy with them and the only one I need to please in my retirement hobby. For those who don't need the newest and the best, you can get a lot for a lot less.