What are your Occupations/Jobs

[Anonymous]

I'm an Electronic Test Engineer. Make a pretty good wage but not rich by any stretch of the imagination. Got a mortgage, doing some remodeling and getting this place in shape. I guess I spend an average of about $20 a week on the hobby. My layout is HO and measures 15x10x5 feet. I have about 40 locomotives, mostly steam and about 150 pieces of rolling stock. I usually run 4 loco's at a time and 25 pieces of rolling stock. Lucky for me my local hobby shop lets its regulars put items on lay-away and that's how I get most of my more expensive items. I usually splurge on expensive items on my birthday and Christmas. I'm also a Ham Radio operator so I also support that beast. That hobby is a holdover from my former occupation as a naval radiomorse operator. Also have a collection of telegraph keys, some over 100 yrs old, that were used both in wireless/radio and railroad work.

[Anonymous]

I am a retired police officer and am now on a fixed budget. Before that I would spend between $100 & 200 a month. Depends on what catches my eye ,which is everything. My wife thinks im crazy but I tell her at least im home and doing what I truly enjoy.

[mikebonellisr]

I'm a semi-retired,commercial artist/cartoonist.I also have a part time,night job driving a zamboni at a local ice rink. The house is paid for, 5 kids are out of college,my wife still works so I have a fair amount of spare time & money for my hobby.I spend about $800 a month,though I have too many engines,cars, building kits ,etc., than I'll EVER get to.
My layout [not finished] is like a giant kit waiting to be put together]I either need help or a lot more time.

[Anonymous]

I'm a SAS Programmer for a bank. I have a new baby girl so I don't spend much on myself. I have not purchased any train related items in over a year.

I model HO but have recently broke down the layout (temporary). I have plans to start re-building in the very near future, just can't find the time.

[lupo]

I am 49, I have been graphic-designer and screen-printer for the last 30 years,
Next to that, I worked as sound and ligthing engineer had my own PA-rental Company (1 big rig) and for now I own a textile printing company with 5 employees.
we design and print the shirts a lot of parents regret their kids wear.
What I spend:
I was forced to sell every model RR item I had at 17,( dad spent more than he earned )
But: with the money I got from the insurance company off the blind car-driver that ran me over 7 years ago I decided to get even:
What I Want I Buy. ( within some reason I am cautious what I buy, not throwing money away for every pit has a bottom),

[Anonymous]

I'm a engineer of the mechanical kind (not the railroading kind).

Started in the hobby about a month and a half ago on a small 3 x 5 N-scale layout. Have spent close to $650 US just to keep pace with the progress of the layout, without going overboard on stuff I didn't need yet, and I still have all the scenery, buildings and most of the rolling stock to buy! This is way over what I expected to spend on this, being the penny picker that I usually am! Once things settle down, I can only hope to keep the budget below $100 / month.

Worth every penny however....no regrets!

Hey Al, let's go back to Bayview sometime.

[Anonymous]

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer (Retired). I live on a combination of my retirement pay and my VA disability allowance which keeps me just above the poverty level. I try to spend around $15 - 20 per month, usually buying rolling stock. In order to purchase locomotives, I've had to put them on layaway and pay as/when I can.

It also means I don't have that much to spend on construction materials for my layout. Most of my tools (along with my money) are tied up in a divorce settlement. I was awarded the tools, but they're in my wife's possession and I would have to drive 750 miles to get them. If it weren't for the sheer cost of replacing them, I'd let her keep them, but the table saw alone is over $500, easily more than a drive there and back.

[Anonymous]

I'm a self employed custom interior trim carpenter surrounded by five women(wife included). When the moneys there time isn't, and the opposite. I still do side work outside my company for extra $. My income fluxuates due to the market, so what I spend does to. $ 800.00 last year give or take spent on this hobby.

Carpenter Matt - Benchworks easy it's the rest I have problems with. LOL

[Anonymous]

I am retired after 25 years with the PA State Police....and with the cost of model railroading these days I am still and most likely aways will be running DC...DCC is way to costly with the equipment and all the decoders required.

[iwasgr8]

Retired design engineer. I dont spend near as much as I'd like to and far more than my wife will ever know.

Gary In Peoria

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

Well for me, the starter of this topic, I lost my last job and am now working a few days a week in my alcoholic father's unsucessful clothing store. [V] And he is an insensitive jerk-off! [:(!]
This is only until I find a real job. Please pray for ya boy. [:(]

Praying for ya, Aggro. Hang in there. Pray for your dad as well. All isn't lost.[angel]

[AggroJones]

Well for me, the man who started this topic, I lost my last job and am now working a few days a week in my alcoholic father's horribly unsucessful clothing store. [V] And he is an insensitive jerk-off! [:(!] We sell attire for pimps, players, and OGs.

This is only until I find a real job. Please pray for ya boy. [:(]

[Anonymous]

I work for a local family owned garbage company as a driver on an automated truck , Where I sit in the cab & operate an arm on the truck that picks up 98 gallon totes on wheels that dump them in the truck mechanicaly . Residential house to house . The pay is good but my spending fluctuates on merchandise for my layout . I spend usually on a do I need it or how bad do I want to have it atitude. Also , When I see copper tubing, copper wire , aluminum cans , aluminum car / truck rims , aluminum siding ,ect . I pick it up & set it aside neatly in our shed , When I have a decent amount saved I cash it in . You'd be surprized at how much you can make from this. Check with your local scrapp yard or recycling center on what to do . Most materials pay more in the spring & usually less in the winter months. Hope that this will help anyone out .

[NevinW]

I run an allergy/immunology program for a medical school. - Nevin

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by norboy

Shoot, i don't know if I reply'd to this topic or not.

Well, you would only have to go through seven pages to find out !! [banghead] Dave

[Anonymous]

Shoot, i don't know if I reply'd to this topic or not.

[mloik]

Assistant Professor at the University of California. I have an 18-month old son, so we're running trains and not really building. But, plans exist for expansion once he's old enough. Then the expenditures will go back up.

Michael in California

[Supermicha]

I´m an aircraft mechanic at EADS. I spend 1000 dollars a year, maybe more, i will get more money in july [:D].

Micha

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CP5415

Parts specifier for a Dodge Dealership.
I usually spend about $40-$80 a month on my favourite hobby.

Gordon

Do you get parts wholesale[}:)][}:)] ? Dave
My '91 Ramcharger 4x4
http://home.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/179/179121/pages/443522/mydodge1forweb.JPG

[Anonymous]

I am the marketing director for a bowling accessories manufacture.

I mostly spend in clumps during the year around once a quarter. Not more than $500 most years. I try to hit big sales of clearances. Last year I did make some big loco purchase which were unusual.

RMax

[Anonymous]

I'm a Lead Technician (A&P) for Continental Airlines. I work on Boeing 757, 767 & 777 and if I'm very lucky I get to play with real aircraft......my favorites.........Douglas MD-80's!!!!!

I make good money and spend a LOT on my S scale trains. I have a small 9x17 layout and hopefully when I retire a 8-9 years I can build something larger and more user-friendly.

[Anonymous]

I'm a railway conductor for Canadian National. I don't keep track of how much I spend on my pike but I make sure I have enough left over for basic living expenses and a full contribution to my 401(k).

[DTomajko]

Trailer Mechanic /Yardman /Packer Operator in an Intermodal yard. The pay is OK and the work isn't terribly difficult, but it can be very taxing on the coldest or hottest days of the year.Rushing around to make sure that a train isn't delayed and everything is where it belongs can also test the nerves but overall it's not a bad job. I spend about $100 per month with an occassional jump to purchase "Kato",(just couldn't pass up those SD80MACS!!!!). I would probably spend more if I didn't work weekends and could go to train shows, but the railroads don't take weekends off.Good luck and good modeling.

[andyhjn]

hvac service technician .
andy

[CP5415]

Parts specifier for a Dodge Dealership.
I usually spend about $40-$80 a month on my favourite hobby.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

Writer/proofreader. Proofreading, I get paid for; writing for publication is an aspiration. Far from rich, let me tell you! But the bills get paid. Would gladly skip a meal to buy something that has caught my attention at the LHS any day of the week! [:)] Last year, I couldn't spend as much money as I wanted on trains; this year will be different. I'm allowing myself up to $200.00/month on trains, more if it's absolutely, positively something I've just got to have.[:D]

[pbjwilson]

I'm a painter/artist. I do alot of interior painting in large Chicago North Shore homes. Man do I see some nice basements. Drives me crazy as my own basement and house is tiny. I build small modular layouts that tend to get tossed around , stacked, leaned against stuff and finally tossed out or recycled.

[Anonymous]

I currently am a local truck driver, but should be switching occupations soon. I might spend between $200-$300 per year on my layout, but I've been working on it for close to 6 years and am about 40% completed. Since I don't know what else to ask for for Christmas, birthdays, etc.., I just ask for money to spend " a railroadin'" What's really fun, is that my wife is just as involved. I plan and lay track, we both pick structures, I do rolling stock and she landscapes.

[randybc2003]

Civil Engineer. Sometimes I work for a government entity, sometimes for a consulting co., (either land development or gov. consulting), sometimes independent. It depends on the moon of my fortunes.

May spend (+/-) $10/week. Sometimes a lot less. (I like to scratchbuild) Sometimes more. (biggest expense: deluxed DCC system.) Budget $100max for Trainshows. Keep eye peeled for bargans. Get my fun @ clubs and often "detailing" models. Also, running my own stuff.