Garden Railroading on A budget

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

How can you have a garden railroad on a budget. I have made a plan for my railroad and the local store that sells LGB track is where I had a job(before the labor department said I was to young to work, but they saved it for me until I am 14)so lucikly, I get a 20% dicount on every thing I buy. that may not sound like a lot, but when you buy $150-$200 worth of track, it is a big difference. Besides the track, how can I build a railroad that is presentable with out the big cost?
Until I get my job back, I am on a strict budget. (I've got alot of stuff I want to sell though)


Nick

(I have my eye on an LGB nogul, but I'll wait until I get my job back for that. It pays good too. $7.50 an hour. For one day i get 44 something. For the three days a week that I work, it 134 something. Thats just for one week. I get paid every other week, so, it'll be 200, mabye 300 something.)

[bman36]

Hi Nick,
We're all on a budget...just different ones. My quickest way to come up with cash is to sell off what I have hung on to for too long. Another thing to do is start small. You can always expand later. Do you have any track to start with? A simple loop is all you need to get going. All the best on your adventure. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

Yes, i do have a track plan. Luckilly the prototype I am basing my railroad on was just 10 miles long. But, I won't be modeling every inch. The railroad was a ragtag narrowgauge railroad that ran from Cades Cove (Gatlinburg Tennessee) to Pigeon Forge Tennessee through the mountains.

I plan to have just a few trains to start with.
But, I am going on a trip soon (This weekend with my church gruop) and my parnets are giving me $200 in spending money (I had to pay $200 for the trip). I plan to spend only $10 to save the rest for my railroad.

I have alot of books, old train magazines, and HO equipment as well as a Lionel Train and Battery operated G-Scale Train (I think I'll keep that). When I sell that, I'll have the total will be my budget until I get my job back in march.

Nick

P:S: I get a 20% discount on all the track I buy at the sore I worked at.

[vsmith]

Nick I built my whole empire....Sorry, uncontrolable laughter took over....on a severe budget. I havent spent over $100 for ANY single item on my layout. But keep in mind that an LGB mogul will NEVER be less than $350 even used. But its better to have one good engine than 100 New Bright battery nightmares. If your getting LGB track for a discount I would plan on getting what you can from that source.

Bear in mind that I use small 2 axle industrial type loco's and do not have dreams of running a DASH9 thru my garage.

Secrets to Garden RRing on the cheap!:

The most BASIC principal is KISS, or Keep it Simple, Stupid...

....or in my case Keep it Stupidly Simple. IOW's start with a simple layout, a loop and a passing siding? keep the wiring simple to start, Its better to GET STARTED with a simple loop than to be planning your master pike for 5 years with a box full of trains that have no where to run. Get running, then add.

Some other rules;

1. Buy slowly, as your budget allows. Its more important to get ALL the track you need to get set up FIRST, before you start spending on that LGB Mogul. Whats the point of having an engine that has no where to go.

2. Shop around. If you have good LHS in your area that offer large scale. dont feel that you have to give one your exclusive business. If your trying to save ca***han you have to get the best bargians where ever they are.

3. Internet. Some of the best prices are on-line. The downside is the shipping costs can sometimes erase any cost savings so you need to compare what the combined price, plus tax and shipping is -vs- going to the LHS and buying it there.

4. Ebay. this is especially good for picking up used cars on the cheap. If you absolute have to have brand spanking new shiny cars then you can also expect to pay the shiny new price. I got alot of my stuff from Ebay used, and its just fine. I also got alot of engines, buildings, etc. by bidding on ebay. Some Caviets about Ebay....DO NOT get into a bidding war. I figure out how much I am willing to pay for a certain item factor in shipping cost to get the total I am willing to spend to get an item, then set my max bid minus that shipping cost and leave it alone. If it goes higher so be it. If someone wants something that badly they will probably pay too much for it. Also PAY ATTENTION to those postive feedbacks, if soemone has a rating of less than 90% you might want to reconsider bidding, at least you can read the feedback and see whether the problem postings were the seller's fault or not.

5. Go Slowly. Patience is a vitrue they say, in cheap Garden RRing it is a necessity. Build as you have items and dont feel that you absolutley HAVE to fini***hat monster pike this weekend. Thats how people blow a $1000 on track then get frustrated trying to do the whole enchillada in one weekend. Track laying takes time to plan out. If all the materials, and track are ready and you make a well though out plan, It can be done in a short time but the planning is key. See KISS above. Add items like cars also as budget allows.

6. Train Shows, I have gotten some great deals at train shows, LGB cars for $10, Bachmann Saddletanker for $60. Look for the guys who are clearing inventory. Plus they are a lot of fun to check out.

7. this is the most important rule...

NEVER PASS UP A GREAT DEAL!

Example: Last Xmas the discount chain store Marshall's blew out LGB's Toytrain line at clearance prices....Porter engines for $40, cars for $10. To take advantage of it I drove to every Marshalls in my vicinity and cleaned up what I could. I saved a helovalota money taking advantage of that deal. Never pass up a good deal. I heard that at the Big Train Show here last year one of the LHS that holds a BBQ also has screaming deals to lure patrons out to there shop. One guy got a Bachmann siderod diesel for $75.

Anyway, good luck.

This can be done inexpensively. it just takes a little longer. Also do not be affraid to scratchbuild. that is a great way to turn throw away or discarded materials into usefull items like buildings, bridges, tunnels, etc. and mostly DO NOT BE AFFRAID to try scratchbuilding cars for your layout. its fun and saves a helovalota cash!

[Tom The Brat]

Budget? Not me. Mine has been eliminated[B)]

[vsmith]

Oh, another good tip for cheap outdoor buildings...

BIRDHOUSES, there are a lot of these at craftstores, garden shops, clearence stores like Marshall's, Big Lots, Pier 1, Sav-on, etc.

They are often cheap, often look real close to real building types, and are durable.

[Anonymous]

I use envelopes, I try to put aside 2 dollars for every day I work or at least a dollar a day, that ends up with some 30 dollars at the end of the month for which one could use toward equipment or track. Depending on how much more than 30 dollars something costs guides my purchases. If it is too much more, I can simply wait another month or be impulsive.

As for the garden budget for the outdoor layout. I try to spend no more than 15 dollars on landscaping a week. You see I have to "terraform" by back yard and bring in soil of a better quality if I intend to grow my chili pepper plants and other perennials to a degree that will make them prosper.

I also try to save twice the amount for the item I need. If I am saving for a 30 dollar item (like a boxcar) then I try to have near 60 dollars. That insures that I never have to work from zero.

This is all maddness, I know, but it has been effective. It is based on patience, hence it is a virtue each of us can subscribe to at will (or won't)

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

Thanks for the advice. The LGB Mogul will not come until 2006 (When I have every thing else) and then I'll do whatever comes my way. I have foun LGB Moguls on e-bay for a great price. Once I found 2 LGB DSP&PRR Red and Green Moguls for less the $50. I wanted to bid, but controled my self. I told myself Track and Power First Mogul Last.
It worked too.

Captain. Due to your plan, I see that you don't have alot of money to spend like me. Try E-bay. I have gotten some great deals in the past. I remember purcahsing and LGB set there (The Stanz, I sold it though) for $10. I also purchased some more cars and another engine for another $10. I sold it when I switched from euro to american.

I have devised a simple little track plan that won't cost much. 4 switches is what'll really kill me, but I get that %20 discount. The buildings I bought have been painted and I'll assembel them the weekend after this coming one. I am going to Philidelphia on Thrusday and won't be back till monday. I might take one or two, but not all of the I'll nee something on the bus. I remember in the 5th grade, I went on a trip to florida with my class and 2 others. I went into thebathroom and low and behold, when I wen't to open the door, it wouldn't open until we had to literally break the door down. My parnets had to pay for the damages, and I learned my lesson, NEVER,BUT NEVER, WALK INTO THE BATHROOM ON A SUNWAY BUS WITHOUT SOMETHING TO READ. I was stuck in there for 2 hours. I'll bring some Garden Railways magazines with me. I'll assemble the kits in the Hotel room at night.

Nick

(P:S: I have come up with a low cost roster for my railroad. I'll start with a set (Bachmann), buy the track, then buy another coach and some freight cars. Maybe
another engine, but I'll wait till christmas. I am expecting a Hartland D&RGW Black
4-4-0 and some rolling stock. I like their Colorado Collection D&RGW cars. I'll see what I can do about them.

[Anonymous]

Large Scale railroading is my best hobby, but it is a hobby in every sense of the word. Job and family must come first. I would love to reach the point where I could work on trains all day. It is my main goal, but until then it is slow and sure.

I think, in a strange way, that the waiting actually heightens the experience of the hobby!

[Anonymous]

[#ditto]
What everyone says is right.Patience is the key!
I spent 2 years with a small loop of track before I expanded.That small loop of track taught me more than you can imagine.Locos,track connectors,themes.You name it and I've been though it.The budget means nothing.It's the enjoyment of the hobby that counts.If I was given a million pounds(dollars) I would build the most fantastic railway,but it would detract from the enjoyment of slowly attaining what I want.
However if anyone want to test the theory please post the cheque to troy....
Just kidding (but then again...)
I recently bought an engine on E-Bay.With the purchase the bloke kindly included a half built railcoach/tram.I have had more fun with this (or the children have) than the loco I bought!
I've sort of lost the way on this post so I will stop.Just remember.The railway will never be big enough[(-D
Troy

[tangerine-jack]

Thinking back to the days when I had no budget brings back many memories, some fond and some not. I have to stop myself nowadays and be thankful that I have the resources to plunk down the money for what I want without having to think too hard about it. Don't get discouraged about the money, that's the least of the problems.

Everyone has given you good suggestions, I can only add that your dreams may have to change to fit your budget. An LGB anything is a good quality choice, but pricey at any level. I started out, and still have, a Bachmann set that I bought on sale a week after Christmas for less than 50% of retail. A little paint, and some scrap parts and nobody can tell it's low budget. Later on I got better track and power. I swapped plants with the neighbors, and did everything else by hand with a shovel. I still scrounge at flea markets and yard sales, and make my own structures with scrap wood from orange crates even though I can and sometimes do buy the POLA kit (I don't think of myself as "cheap" but rather "thrifty"). I just get more satisfaction from knowing I made it myself and didn't spend a lot. In fact it is quite a game to make something beautiful for the garden RR and not have anybody be able to discern the origin of the materials.

Remember that no one gets into a hobby to save money. It's just a matter of being creative enough to participate on what you can afford. I have spent about $200 on my garden and have a pond, chinese bridge, flagstone walking paths, arbors and statuary. My total expense on my RR including rolling stock and track is maybe $500. Everyone who has had the rare pleasure of seeing my back yard believes that it cost in the several thousands. I don't let them think any differently (hee-hee).

Always be alert for the good buy! Good luck![oX)]

[Kiwi Down Under]

Nick, locomotive 10, if your realy on a tight budget, pretent there are no shops and you have to make everything, or most things.
It save a lot of money, surprising what you can make and gives a real sense of satisfaction.
Although I must get around to updating my webb site,
www. gcalechuffchuff.com

May give you some ideas.
Tony

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

Gscalepuffandchuff. I have alot of stuff to sell. Magazines, Trains, Videos, and Books. That'l get me the track I want and the LGB Mogul (I might break for an accucraft live steamer). I plan to have the line up and running by late March. I have come up with a plan that fits into 10x10 and only involves 3 swithces and a small amount of curved and straight track. I'll come up with the total in a second.

Nick

[Anonymous]

HI locomotive 10
First all of us have a budget that must be worked too, most points have already been coverd.
What I would do is grab the load of material nesasary and make one of each
of the cars tha Phil did on the pullout plans forum that will give a very short train to run on the line and go a long way to being able to build your own stock which will save you heaps.
As every one so far has said keep it simple and get enough track down to run a train but make sure you add two switches or sets of points if you prefer
that term so that as funds permit you can expand in easy simple steps without pulling apart what you have already achieved
As funding is tight you will have to build more that you buy ready to go.
That can in fact be very advantageouse especialy if you have a prototype in mind you will be able to get exactly what you want by building it yourself
and it will put your stamp on the railway with large scale it is big enough that you can see what you are doing.
regards John

[Anonymous]

I have spent in excess of A$15,000 about US$11,000 and i really do not have much. 3 trains, 65 m track (200') with another 65 m going down. A fully operational LGB MTS system and really its not much. But everything I have is good quality and top of the range and thats how I want it. As some one else said, a few gooduns will beat a whole lot of rubbish anytime. My Mallet and the Golden Mountain coaches that go with it are as good as you can get outside an Aster. Together they cost me A $5,000 or US $3,500 but they do everything. The Mallet is fully digitally remote controlled with about 6 sound functions plus I can switch its lights on and off. You can even hear the blokes in the engine shoveling coal when it is at rest, plus smoke etc.
The coaches are from the same stable as the Orient Express, luxurious seating with about 20 people on board including an Austrian spy. each coach has its own toilet in its own compartment. Internal lighting can be switched on and off. I am trying to get an observation car, Dining car and a baggage car to complete the set but am waiting avilability of funds.

I have been trying to find out if the toilet compartment should be at the rear or front of each coach but unfortunately their are too many rednecks on this forum to understand the question.

I am retired on a fixed income but i bought most of what i have either before I retired or just afterwards, when I sold my yacht. Every now and then i get a dividend from some shares i have, last dividend i bought an LGB track cleaning loco.

So we are all short of ca***o put into out this hobby and the only limit there is to how much you can spemd on this pasttime is to do with the depth of your pockets.


Rgds


ian

[Anonymous]

Ian,

Doesn't matter mate, when it goes one way it's at the front. When it goes the other it's at the back. Do the bogs have digital sound? that would be interesting! [;)]

Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Tom The Brat]

Sorry about the age thing, Nick. I got my first camera when I was 13 by working in the camera shop. I couldn't work the print dryer, but that was the only "hazardous equipment" he could think of in the place.

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

The track for this plan will cost about $100-$130. That is less than I expected. I plan to use LGB track due to the fact I get a discount on it. It'll probably cost me $90-$110 with the discount. I think I'll add a switch later on.

Nick

[vsmith]

Are you planning on EVER running anything bigger than a Ruby or similar 2 axle loco on your layout? If so even though they are Muy Expensive but I would invest in 16000 series switches instead of 12000 series. Those switches will KILL you price wise but you have the opertunity to run bigger locos and cars, same for curves, dont buy anything smaller than R2 if you want bigger non-LGB locos.

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

I don't plan to run anything larger than a 2-8-2.

Nick

[Anonymous]

No Kim I am not sure about that i have been doing some study on it and I think toilets should be at the rear end in Angl Saxon Coubtries however in Italy they have them together ie at the back of one carrirriage and at the front ot f the next one in line .

My Italian isn't that good but when I enquired the idea of having them together if one is occupied you will still have another nearby.

This is an important matter for me as the switch for my lights is on the opposite side to the stink pipe, so you can see my interest is not just idle curiosity.


Rgs Ian

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

vsmith. The largest Locomotives I plan to run are A bachmann Annie, a Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-0, and a Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0. I plan to run a Accucraft Live Steam 2-6-0 or a C-16 when I have every thing done and I am ready to make a purchase.
I was hoping to get that switch advice. Thanks.

Nick

[tangerine-jack]

Hey locomotive10, I will be in Myrtle Beach on December 11-12. Contact me via email from my bio block and maybe we can get in touch.[oX)]

[vsmith]

The Accucraft Mogul and C-16 requires a 5 or 6 foot min diameter curve if my memory is correct. I'll stand by my last suggestion use no smaller than R2 which is 6 foot or close to.

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

I had originally palnned for that Radius and just drew up a simple track plan for it.

I will be having a Steam Up sometime next fall.

Nick

P:S: tangerinejack, I would love to get in touch with you, but sadly, my parents have that thing where I can't get e-mail and we have postponed our trip to Dollywood and we are going on those exact days. Sorry.

[tangerine-jack]

Such is life to be overshadowed by Dollywood (been there, done that)...............Oh well, keep the steel wheels down![oX)]

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

tangerinejack, I'm sorry about that, but Dollywood is where my love for Garden Railroading began 1 year ago. See my topic Garden Railroading and the Mountains in the live Steam forum.

Nick

[tangerine-jack]

It's been many years since I've been to Dollywood, I think around '85 or '86. That's where I developed my love/hate relationship with raccoons. One of the little buggers stole my putt-putt ball, in broad daylight no less! Sorry to go off topic, but have fun while you're there and I hope you come back with lots of new (thrifty) ideas! [oX)]

[vsmith]

Dollywood??? Is this a theme-park devoted to Dolly Parton? ...like Disneyland?

.....Dang, I can just imagine the Matterhorn ride!!!!

[Tom The Brat]

QUOTE: Dang, I can just imagine the Matterhorn ride!!!!

Actually, it's called "The Grand Titons[:D]"