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DSims, I presume that this is a hypothetical question??? If so, I agree with Joe about the cost of rolling stock and scenery items. I would say there are a few other factors: Size of layout??? Double deck, single deck??? The larger and more complex the layout is, the more expensive it becomes and the longer it will take to build. Size of room and degree to which it is finished. Finnishing a large room (say 20' x 40') with electrical, heating and sheetrock could zero your budget in a hurry. Type of layout wanted: operations based, superdetailed (etc) How many operators??? How many and how large are the trains??? As Joe mentioned a large superdetailed layout will cost a lot more. I suppose this decision has more to do with basic design than cost, but what you decide here affects the bottom line. Amount of time you want to spend building stuff vs running stuff. RTR is more expensive than kits. A lot more expensive. Time spent in general is an issue. With no time, you might want to pay others to help, this speeds stuff up but eats into the bottom line. Your skill, experience level and expertise in the hobby. How comfortable are you building a large layout or say mounting switch machines, laying flextrack, wiring reversing loops, building level and square benchwork etc.... Most large layouts are the culmination of years in the hobby and large amounts of time spent building the layout.. How many friends do you have who will help you?? As Joe points out with his friends rolling stock, do you have buddies who can help you??? It will be more fun, quicker and bring more satisfaction with friends to share it with you.... For safety margin, I would say take any figure you come up with and triple it!!!!! It always seems to cost way more than you think it will....
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