I was thinking about it, and here is how much mine cost:
size: 32 square ft(4x8)
benchwork: $50
I don't really remember because my dad made my train table when I was about 7 or 8 and all the lumber came from our shed.
Track: $80
I have aquired a lot of track from those boxes under vendor's tables at train shows for bargin prices. I do have some new track on the layout.
Control: $25
I got my first Railpower 1370 as a birthday present, my other one for $10 at a train show and the other components from stores or shows.
Scenery: $20
I use a lot of natual materials from the woods behind my house, really the only things I bought were ground foam and static grass.
Structures: $60
I have fixed up a lot of junk buildings, and got some good deals on buildings at shows.
total: about $230. What it's worth: $40 maybe?
now don't ask me about the trains... If you would like to share, I am wondering how much people buy and how much they make.
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
I restored a '60s muscle car, and as I started the project a fellow at work suggested he had done the same, and decided not to track what he spent, it being a hobby and all.
I adopted that advice for the car and also for my train hobby.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
About a hundred square feet, and about $6000, spread over the years. All new track, but I started with older rolling stock which has been upgraded with metal wheelsets and Kadees. I run DCC.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I currently have an 11x15 two level HO layout built in 2008. Its predecessor was very similar - built in 1994. It was during that time I was "between wives" and dated a number of ladies. Sooner or later they came to the house and of course I showed them the layout - which fills a closed door spare bedroom. Most of them would "oooh and ahh" over it, and were suitably impressed.
But one gal - a well to do mortgage broker - had a different response. Her first and only words upon seeing it were "how much did all this cost?". We lasted just over a month.........
On the other hand, the last gal I dated was easily the most impressed and showed real interest in it. It didn't hurt that she worked in her parents hobby shop when she was young, so she knew and appreciated the time, effort, and skills that went into it. In fact, she took home a couple dozen unpainted dairy cows and did a wonderful job on them.
Yes, I married her, and last week we celebrated 18 years together.
Back to the OP's question......well, I think it can come off a bit rude to some, and frankly being a hobby, some of us just don't want to put a dollar number on it.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Unless someone can save this thread, it is doomed out of the starting gate.
With all due respect to the OP, his own experience tells us little to nothing about the cost of a layout. He cannot recall the cost of lumber, he acquired track at bargain prices, he got his power pack as a gift, he scrounged the outdoors for scenery, and he "fixed up a lot of junk buildings" for structures. That is not how most of us have gone about building a layout.
Another problem with this thread is that most of us are not about to reveal the true cost of building a layout or quantifying our participation in the hobby. And besides that, so much depends upon the size of our layouts and periperal considerations such as space preparation.
Perhaps a better way to approach the topic is to consider the cost per square foot for the overall footprint or the cost per linear foot by following the track plan. I have no problem with the OP's approach to layout building, but a total cost of $230 to build a layout, exclusive of locomotives and rolling stock, is perhaps at the very low end of a typical layout. I do find Mister Beasley's statistics to be a more reliable indicator of the average cost of a layout.
Rich
Alton Junction
Agree rich. Last time this was discussed the cost ranged from $50 to over$200 per square foot. And as I remember it got pretty heated. Having said that, MisterBeasley's estimate pretty well fits my experience.
And just why would I want to know that? What's the point? Why would anyone keep track of what a "hobby" cost?
It's only worth whats it's worth in terms of enjoyment to you, no one else.
No offense to the OP, but this is a question that might possibly be asked by a deranged MIL or FIL or a very judgemental family member.
Just like my refurb work on old garden tractors, they're only worth so much, no matter how much you stick into them, so to get them running and looking great again? Who cares? Not me.
It's all a labor of love.
Mike.
My You Tube
In 2007 I spent about $8000.00 the first year as I had nothing in HO scale. I have hardly spent a dime since as I get an endless stream of gift certificates for PWRS from people I do things for. I currently have a $1100.00 credit there that will go towards my two Royal Hudsons when they come.
I don't know how many square feet my layout is, however its outside edge footprint is about 15' x 24'.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I grew up in an age, where only the braggarts talked about how much they spent or earned. Johnny Unitas, quarterback of the Greatest Football Game Ever Played, still worked at Bethelehem Steel in the off season.
Nor do I want to know how much I spend on model railroading or any of my other hobbies.
I was an avid scuba diver for 20 years and have been to the Carribean 5 times and dove from Calfornia to NJ shipwrecks to the Florida Keys and Florida caves. I have friends the have been to the Great Barrier reef and the Red Sea. One dove the Andrea Doria.
I have another set of friends that were big game hunters. Some were caught up in the African mystique. They do reget the money they spent. Not only is the initial cost huge, they felt an obligation to the animal to have it mounted. When they needed to downside, nobody wants stuffed animals.
I also went to Zimbabwee. I believe if every American went to Africa, and saw how people live and how they are ruled, it would dramatically change how we looked at our own country today.
Nearly all the money I spent on all my hobbies was worth it at the time. Had I hoarded my money like Ebenezer Scrooge, I would have had more money today, but far less memories.
I believe Harrison is a lot younger than my 67 years. My advice to you is that you don't have to have the best and certainly shouldn't rack up a credit card loan on things you can't afford. If Scale Trains rivet counter rolling stock doesn't fit your budget, you can make do with Athearn BB and maybe some detail upgrades.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
mbinsewi No offense to the OP, but this is a question that might possibly be asked by a deranged MIL or FIL or a very judgemental family member.
Yeah, kinda like when the grandkids suddenly take an interest in my pocket watch collection or start measuring the drapes.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
The benchwork was the cheap part. I had to buy the DCC system NCC 5 amp Power Pro-R. I bought a dozen Rapido coaches, maybe 50 freight cars and a few Locomotives. Track and turnouts were a couple of thousand along with all the bits and pieces. I doubt I spend $200.00 a year now. I am retired and don't have much time for trains. I sure wish I was still healthy enough to dive, I did the Barrier Reef, priceless.
Last layout $0. I bought everything at deep discount and by the time I built it I was able to sell off the stuff I didn't want for the cost of the whole layout, fiqure I will break even on the new layout too as I bought new in box Shinohara turnouts for $5 a pop and have more than I will need, I am sure. So when all said and done this hobby has cost me $0, wish I could say the same about my health insurance!!!!
rrebellwish I could say the same about my health insurance!!!!
What's that?
For men my age in South Florida, these seem to be the most popular hobbies: Power Boats, Sail Boats, Bass Boats, New Muscle Cars, Classic Muscle Cars, and College Girls.
.
My trains have probably been a comparable cost to any of these other hobbies, but far fewer headaches.
I once tried to total up just what was in my workbench, and I stopped at around $5,000.00.
I once built a house for $130,000.00 to be a home for a layout, does that count?
My current remodel is going to be $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 once it is all done, just so I can get a layout room. Does that count?
Like bass fishing, model railroading costs as little or as much as you want to spend.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Just to back up a little bit, I understand and can appriciate what the young OP is asking.
I just think he might be asking the wrong crowd? age group? He would be best served, for comparison reasons, to ask this question among modelers his age group, and who's budgets are dependent on resourcefulness.
I applaud what the OP has accomplished, and from what I've gathered from other threads, he's gearing himself towards a college education. Excellent.
I abandoned the hobby once in the mid 60's, as my mother remarried, and a whole different life style ensued, and trains were not to be part of it.
Later in life, with my own kids, say early to mid 80's, my love of trains rekindled while my youg son and I put together his first train set.
Even then, I had a family and obligations, so my train purchases were from a change can I kept in my work truck.
Maybe after his education, and life's work experiences, he'll be in a better position to be able pursue is love and talant, for model railroading.
Keep it up young Harrison, your doing a fine job.
I have learned not to put a price tag on something I love to do. Sure.... I have somewhat my own allowance on what I will spend in a certain given amount of time, but I don't want to keep track of a running total. I don't want to know. It takes the fun out of it.
My hobby before I got back into model railroading was salt water aquatics. I really loved that hobby. At one time I had five aquariums in my house. I had beautiful corals from all over the world in my master tank in the living room wall. I had a tank that had seahorses in it. I had a tank that had poisonous lion fish in it that I fed by hand. Not too smart.... if you get pricked by one of the spears in thier dorsal fin, you better get to the hospital quick before your trachea tube closes up, not to mention the extreme excruciating pain.
I was known at the aquarium store by my house. Somehow my success at aquatics led me into a side business taking care of aquariums in a couple of senior living homes and several dentist offices.
After I started doing what I loved for money my aquariums started to slide at home. To make a long story short it took the love out of my hobby, tainted it so it was never the same.
I never kept track of the money I spent on my aquarium hobby. I learned from this experience. I think if you relate money in any way to something you love to do. It ruins it.
I bring home a bag from the hobby store or get a box in the mail from eBay. Right after I admire my new train stuff, the receipt finds the circular file. I don't want to know.
TF
Who the fnord knows?I was given an Athearn GP30 as a gift in 1964 or 1965. I remotored it, but still use it.I bought my first Athearn kit in 1970 for $1.79. The car still works.Et cetera.Summary answer for the OP: I spent small amounts of money, but at a car kit a month, after 50+ years the stuff adds up. Model railroad stuff rarely wears out.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
Harrison,
If I haven't told my wife how much I have spent on the hobby why the heck do you think I would tell you?!?
Seriously (more or less) I don't have a layout. My layout is at the club (I even designed it!) and the club is paying for its construction so it isn't going to cost me much at all (although I have been very generous with donations to the cause). How sweet is that?!?
To date, our plywood paradise (mainline is up and running) has cost us about $21.00/sq. ft. Cdn. Final costs once all the scenery is done might be around $30.00/sq. ft. depending how nuts we go with trees etc.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I have a general idea which comes out to about $70/sf, including locomotives and rolling stock. I decided to attempt to quantify the cost for insurance purposes after talking to my agent. He said a rider was not necessary but to take some pictures and put them in a safe place in case of a fire or something along those lines. I was clear that my layout could hardly be considered as "collectible".
Bear "It's all about having fun."
I did not realize it was Harrison that started this thread.
I suppose he might be asking for budgeting reasons, and in that case my answer was completely off-base.
I am sure the cost per square foot would depend entirely on how many turnouts are used, quality of building kits, and control system. All these costs can be controlled.
The way I have built my layouts are all poor examples. I have tended to over-build, and over-spend on everything I have done.
BATMAN In 2007 I spent about $8000.00 the first year as I had nothing in HO scale. I have hardly spent a dime since as I get an endless stream of gift certificates for PWRS from people I do things for. I currently have a $1100.00 credit there that will go towards my two Royal Hudsons when they come. I don't know how many square feet my layout is, however its outside edge footprint is about 15' x 24'.
What's PWRS?
PWRS = Pacific Western Rail Services. They have a "unique" business model, and some of us absolutely refuse to deal with them. In the past they have harrangued some of us on the telephone, and just generally have been a major pain where a pill won't reach to ever have to deal with. They encourage one to reserve or pre-order items only through them. They are actually making a Plate B Railbox car I'd love to own but due to past, totally horrendous experiences dealing with them, I will skip buying any of that car because I don't need the stress or the hassle of interacting with them. PWRS has been the pushiest, most high pressure dealer I have ever interacted with, for anything other than a time share presentation.
I'll say about $2000 for all the benchwork, track, vegetation, ballast, weeds and other scenery items. This also includes lightweight plaster...and I later re-did some of the trackwork and replaced turnouts. All that is included in the figure I gave.
John
Santa Fe all the way!What's PWRS?
https://www.pwrs.ca/
It is interesting, and amusing, how, well, jittery we all seem to have gotten because someone asked this question: how much did it all cost? We claim not to know, or want to know, or be able to know, but if some deranged person destroyed it with a hatchet, or if the house caved in on it and the insurance company asked the question, I think we'd come up with a figure.
The hobby and its organizations go though great effort to try to recruit new entrants, be they young or not -- but nobody wants to level with them about probable cost.
Of course there is "cost basis" as the IRS would define it: what we paid, in some cases half a century or more ago -- and then there is replacement cost: what we'd pay now to do it all over again. And then there is value, what we could sell it for, which we all understand is amazingly close to nil compared to cost or replacement cost.
And then there are arguable factors - travel costs to go to train shows, NMRA dues, subscriptions, that sort of thing.
And nothing about value or cost takes into account the personal time we have put in. Perhaps because as a hobby, the time we put in is value received, not cost expended.
I have never talleyed it all up and probably would not know where to start. But if I ever did start to add it all up - including projects and materials that have been discarded, and stuff acquired on speculation and still just sitting there -- I have a deep hunch I'd be astounded. Maybe embarassed. Perhaps almost frightened -- I did WHAT?
And I'd do it all over again if given the chance.
Dave Nelson
dknelson It is interesting, and amusing, how, well, jittery we all seem to have gotten because someone asked this question: how much did it all cost? We claim not to know, or want to know, or be able to know, but if some deranged person destroyed it with a hatchet, or if the house caved in on it and the insurance company asked the question, I think we'd come up with a figure.
Sure we might, but coming up with a figure or estimate sounds like about as much fun as going to the dentist. We go but only because we have to. We don't have to estimate what we spent on a layout.
Coming up with a figure for many of us would be a pain in the tush because we spend money over time and rounding up all of that is well, too much friggin trouble unless you happen to be one of those type A people who count and document stuff like that.
IMO that is separate from a layout, except for what is purchased explicitly for the layout at the show.
I have never talleyed it all up and probably would not know where to start. But if I ever did start to add it all up - including projects and materials that have been discarded, and stuff acquired on speculation and still just sitting there -- I have a deep hunch I'd be astounded. Maybe embarassed. Perhaps almost frightened -- I did WHAT? And I'd do it all over again if given the chance. Dave Nelson
So now your seeing why people are jittery ... you don't know where to start for one thing, and you might be asounded at the total figure anyway.
My last layout that I build in a 10x18' room, around the walls, I estimated for the layout proper, about 400 to 500 dollars for the wood hardware, OSB, Homasote and some of the track. I saved all the track from a 14x26 foot layout I had torn down 15 years prior so that is cost that I "saved" by salvaging it, but probably should be included somehow, so maybe two or three hundred more dollars from that. Trains, that's another story altogether! But the OP asked about a layout right?
Getting back to the OP question, maybe what is the most salient is what are the "start-up" costs to build a layout of such and such size. After that, all bets are off!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
i will side with most of the replies, its a hobby and if it brings you joy . at one time i was a first class fly tier , i was good enough that several high end sporting goods shop had me tying for them it got to the point that it no longer was a relaxing time at the vise so i stopped selling fly's and counting the cost and walla the joy returned . so what i'm saying spend what you can afford don't keep a detailed record of costs and enjoy it.
hon30critter Harrison, If I haven't told my wife how much I have spent on the hobby why the heck do you think I would tell you?
If I haven't told my wife how much I have spent on the hobby why the heck do you think I would tell you?
My first thought, too.
If I post the truth here, will the forum guarantee my wife will never find out how much money is sitting on my layout?
York1 John
hon30critterIf I haven't told my wife how much I have spent on the hobby why the heck do you think I would tell you?!?
Ditto!
When she asks, I answer "way less than a Bass Boat, golf membership, Harley Davidson or a young blonde".
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Since many people are making a good-faith effort to provide useful information for this thread, I might as well add my two cents, so to speak.
My layout is currently under construction, and I started with an empty room just two years ago. Most of the supplies and materials were new and purpose-bought and I have receipts. There was some salvage from the existing garage and some leftover framing lumber from the new garage, and I will not include those in the costs. I will also not include the carpeting and the lighting to prepare the room for the layout because that would have been done anyway.
The framing lumber and plywood to build the benchwork came to about three hundred dollars. Screws and hardware probably came to another fifty dollars. The rigid foam insulation sheets were about a hundred dollars. The plaster and hydrocal were about a hundred dollars.
Cork roadbed and track was about four hundred and fifty dollars. Turnouts were another five hundred. Tortoise machines for the turnouts were about four hundred dollars. The Digitrax Evolution system was about five-fifty. The Digitrax SE8Cs and DBL16s were about three hundred and fifty dollars. The signals were about six hundred. The connectors and specialty cable for the signals were about two hundred dollars. Single conductor 12 AWG for the busses was about one-fifty.
That's enough for now. Not included are any trains or structures or any landscaping or ground cover (Woodland Scenics stuff adds up fast). No paint, glue, contact adhesive, etc. No tools. Based on experience from previous hobby projects, my labor works out to about two bucks an hour. Not much, but I have probably a thousand hours in this so far.
So, maybe $3500 out of pocket. Another few thousand not included.