How does everyone afford track

[GearDrivenSteam]

As long as meth heads, crack heads and hoodlums keep stealin metal air conditioner parts from churches and anywhere else they can, metal will keep goin up. Sounds like you're already doin it like most everybody does. A little at a time.

[FJV]

I have been able to find track priced at non train focused hobby stores or local hardware stores with toy departments. I suppose since they move such little track inventory their computer system changes price at reorder point. I had recent succes with a Hobby-Town store located in a strip mall. Check to see if any stores are near you at www.hobbytown.com . This store was focused on R/C cars but in the back of the store they had LGB track.

Also you could leave your name and phone number with a local train hobby store. They often get calls from people who are trying to unload used track. You could ask them have them call you.

FJV    

[lqdsky]

I'm in the same shoes. I normally collect Japanese N-scale, but had an urg to build a larg scale garden layout. Now things are getting very expensive with collecting two scales and do not have the money the spurge in one shot.

I picked a Spectrum Consolidation since it was a close-out. I wanted to use Aristo stainless steel track. For the last few months all I have been able to find was a box of 12" & 5 peices of 24" straight track from ebay. I have been waiting forever for a 8' diameter to show up on ebay with no luck as it is the widest I would be able to use on my layout. Might have to spend the $170 for a new box.

So for now my consolidation sits in it's box.

 

Ralph 

 

[Ray Dunakin]

You have two kidneys, and only need one. Problem solved! ;)

Seriously, the price of track sucks but there's not much you can do about it except watch for sales, etc. Especially if you have to buy a little at a time and can't afford the "buy four, get the fifth free" deals.

The one good thing is that track is pretty much a one-time expense. It lasts indefinitely, so once you've got your layout put together you'll likely never have to buy track again (unless you decide to expand the layout, of course).

I think it's supposed to be a little cheaper if you just buy rails and lay your own track. Downside is, that takes a lot of time, and wooden ties rot after a while. Also, you'd probably have to buy a rail bender too.

[Anonymous]

I bought mine before the last price increase, but I've gotten most of it used off evilBay. It's an eclectic mix of LGB, Aristo and USA, but if you use railclamps where the brands change and ballast it real well you can hardly tell.

[tangerine-jack]

I never worried about how to afford it.  I am a frugal shopper by nature and I will NEVER ever pay full price for anything unless absolutely necessary and unavoidable.  I've gotten most of my track from Ridge Rd buy 4 get 1 sales and by surfing online train shops for closeouts and bargain sales.  Hand laying track on home cut wood ties will save you some money, but kill you for time.  And I never, ever tell the wife how much I'm really spending.

 

G scaling is not a cheap hobby, but it can be done for about the same cost as anything else in other scales, but you have to temper your dreams with your budget.  The cost of a 2,000 ft track HO dream layout will get you about 300ft of modest G scale as a rough comparison. Rolling stock can be cost equivalent of HO if you are willing to spend some time and bash things together, or you can go live steam and spend more than the gross domestic product of most third world countries.

 

Sounds to me like you are on the right path, buy what you can, when you can, and stock pile.  It's a good way to begin.

[SNOWSHOE]

The hardets part is convincing the wife it is worth it.

[Semper Vaporo]

I doubt if track will drop much in price, ever.  It is one of those things that you don't tend to think of when you jump into the hobby.  You see a locomotive that you really like, and it is on sale, so you buy it, and NOW! you have to get track and switches and all the other necessary acoutriments to actually RUN it and those things will cost more than the loco.

[SNOWSHOE]

Unfortunately, you got into the hobby just as the price of track doubled. I bought the last of my track this past spring when stainless track could still be had for $3 a foot. There seems to be a number of things that may have contributed to the huge price hike - $90+/barrel oil, big spike in the metals market, sagging value of the US dollar, corporate greed, etc.

There are a few ways to save a few bucks. Take advantage of Aristo's buy 4 boxes get one free offer, buy your track at a big train show (better prices, no shipping plus places like St.Aubins were offering free shipping for anything they did not have with them), and/or join a local club (I have seen a few club members either give away old track or sell it cheaply).

-Brian 

 

I though about the four box deal but I did not have that kind of money to spend all at once.  Thats why I am doing a little at time.  I know in the long run it is more expensive doing  it that way. The other problem is I have no local clubs close by. Everything is 2 hours away and I have a work schedule that makes me work most weekends and rotaing night shifts.  Tough to attend any club meetings etc..   You think the prices will go down again?  It is fustrating, you would think if they make the track affordable more people would get into the hobby. 

[altterrain]

Unfortunately, you got into the hobby just as the price of track doubled. I bought the last of my track this past spring when stainless track could still be had for $3 a foot. There seems to be a number of things that may have contributed to the huge price hike - $90+/barrel oil, big spike in the metals market, sagging value of the US dollar, corporate greed, etc.

There are a few ways to save a few bucks. Take advantage of Aristo's buy 4 boxes get one free offer, buy your track at a big train show (better prices, no shipping plus places like St.Aubins were offering free shipping for anything they did not have with them), and/or join a local club (I have seen a few club members either give away old track or sell it cheaply).

-Brian 

[SNOWSHOE]

The last few months I have been ordering a little bit of track at a time.  I have been ordering from Ridge rd, they seem to be the best priced. I have been getting Aristo brass tracks.  I have already spent over 200 dollars and I feel I have hardly no track. I still have more to buy to get the set the way I want it. Thats not even inclding switches yet.  Im not looking to make a very large set yet and it is already costing me so much. How is everyone else able to afford track especially if you want at least 100ft or larger outdoor set. Im looking at maybe 80 or so ft.  What is the reason for track being so much.  When you look at the materials it does not seem like it should cost that much.  I guess it is like any other hobby.  No hobby is cheap.  I am thinking about even making my track.  Is that easy to do and more cost effective?  Can I mixed my aristo with made track (would it look out of place)?  I love the hobby thats why Im bitting the bullet although my wife does not understand.