Im starting to believe that we dont know just how deep this problem is.
Seems we are shocked daily by the news and the consequences.
My train purchases have all been from the descretionary spending account (blasphemy!).
I have bought and sold/traded trains since the early eighties. This is the first time for me that I have put all future purchases on hold until such time as I feel a bit more comfortable with things.
You guys?
Hobbies always provide a chance to step back and take a mental break. The current state of the economy doesn't really have an impact on the hobby for me.
In the end it's a hobby. Above everything else it's supposed to be fun and relaxing.
I have stoped buying trains and are spending that money on a layout to run said trains allready in my collection.
Will have to fill in a couple small gaps/seams with wood putty, then the next big purchase will be paint.
Lets just say Im doing my part to stimulate the economy
As long as gas prices dont go back to where they were (and hopefully go down at some point) I shouldnt be affected too much.
mdainsd wrote:Im starting to believe that we dont know just how deep this problem is.Seems we are shocked daily by the news and the consequences.My train purchases have all been from the descretionary spending account (blasphemy!).I have bought and sold/traded trains since the early eighties. This is the first time for me that I have put all future purchases on hold until such time as I feel a bit more comfortable with things.You guys?
I've always bought "what I wanted", avoiding the big ticket items. The economy hasn't affected my model railroad purchases yet. However, what I find interesting is the insane prices on E-Bay. I lost an auction on an American Flyer orange stripe 961 streamline coach; the car went for $ 124.98! This is 3 times the book price on the car in C6 condition, $ 40.00.
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Probably won't buy anything till YORK? Then only a few small stuff for layout.
laz57
Joe Hohmann wrote:People have been wailing about the economy for 200 years, especially just before elections. Have you ever see a newspaper headline stating "Economy Great!"? How much money people will have to spend on toys will depend on their personal financial situation.
Yes, you've got to roll with it. When things get tight and there is no money for trains, the best thing to do is go run some trains that we already have.
I have cut back quite a bit in the past year, mainly because I was out of work for over six months. Future train purchases look to be slim or not at all!!
Going to train show in Deerfield Beach FL in October, hopefully things will be good there. Did some trading at the last train show I went to, maybe some more trading for stuff at next show.
Lee F.
phillyreading wrote: I have cut back quite a bit in the past year, mainly because I was out of work for over six months. Future train purchases look to be slim or not at all!!Going to train show in Deerfield Beach FL in October, hopefully things will be good there. Did some trading at the last train show I went to, maybe some more trading for stuff at next show.Lee F.
Lee,
I think you hit the nail on the head... if you are employed then you probably have set money aside as to what you can afford to buy. I maybe spend 250.00 a month on trains, only because recently I have change scales from HO to O, building a new layout, and have been filling voids in my Dad's S gauge collection. When I got laid off in Jan to March... maybe spent 25.00 per month and no E-bay.
Now is a GREAT time to buy, bad time to sell. So I am going to tally up the items I have to sell and wait until the Holidays.
Joe,
I agree that people generally complain (wailing) about the economy.
However, I think that it's very noteworthy when the Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve state that this country is facing the worst financial crisis in post war history.
GP60
Well I have certainly tucked in my wings. Election years are usually a bit off for us, but this year is a lot off. Too much uncertainty in both politics and economics.
So if we all buy a bit (or a lot) less, AND COULD AGREE TO TAKE TURNS, we could keep feeding the beast, and spend losts less money.
runtime
Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.
Bob Nelson
At this stage of my participation in the hobby, (a player rather than a collector), I don't really spend too much on trains (mainly maintenance stuff) so the economy is not an issue at the present time. Thanks for asking.
When was the last time you pulled out your (fill in the blank with engine number) and ran it? Now may be the time.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Bob Keller
Ogaugeoverlord wrote:One of the great things about this hobby is that you don't HAVE to buy the newest, biggest, brightest. If you NEED to buy something, you can get some cheapie die-cast autos or trees for the layout. Maybe do some ballast work. Buy some decal paper and re-paint a boxcar you already own. Heck, even get a roll of thread and string some "wire " on your telephone poles. You can still have a bucket load of fun for far less than the price of a music CD or a computer game, or even a pair of movie tickets.
I will add a little to what Bob K. mentioned, I have gone to Flea Markets and yardsales and have found some great buys on Plasticville buildings and even used O scale cars, or Dollar stores and found some inexpensive trees and stuff.
Trying to update my avatar since 2020
MartyE and Kodi the Husky Dog! ( 3/31/90-9/28/04 ) www.MartyE.com My O Gauge Web Page and Home of Kodiak Junction!
J. Daddy wrote:Lets see... I ran my 733, 726,736. 2443, 2025, 2055, and 785 for all of 30 minutes then they hit the shelves, then I pulled out the TMCC E7 A-B-A NYC, F7 Pennsy's and Sante Fe warbonnets, and ran them for 2 hours. They are just a WOW!...I then collected cans out of my garage to save for the new FEF 4-8-4 UP northern that I just have to have! Kind of depressing when I have less then 10% of its cost saved to buy... but I hope to afford one day....
JDADDY......drink more beer. Increase empties inventory
Never forget....trains will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no trains .....so run 'em if ya got 'em!
I simply place my "hunter/gatherer" cap up on the rack, and take down my "artsy/carpenter" hat on.
Maybe I'll finish my new Cumberland section...
Maybe I'll take some photos and scratch out an article...
First off, I've been thinning my collection over the last few years, as living in a large apartment you only have so much space. I'm not really into the hi-tech stuff, so that limits my train buying even more. Right now if I purchase additional trains, I usually sell some in place of that.
I feel bad for the mom and pop train shop owners during these troubled economic times. Some folks are just trying to survive on just one income, keeping food on the table, maintaining their health insurance, and so forth. For some, choosing between buying the newest hi-tech train and paying the mortgage is really a no brainer.
Give me steam locomotives or give me DEATH!
Berkshire Junction, bringing fourth the cry of the Iron Horse since 1900.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month