I am new to model railroading. I got my first engines/sets over Christmas. But I got hooked really fast, and have been hitting the local hobby shop pretty regularly since the holidays.
Last night I was at the hobby shop again ( http://www.maritimehobbies.com/ ), waiting for my wife to get off work nearby. By the time she got there, I had spent $240. This after spending $100 there earlier this week.
That brings my total since I started just a month ago to roughly $700.00. (Should have my head checked.)
I have to go out of town next week on business (woo hoo - overtime plus expenses !) but when I get back I am off for the next week. So I will have time to get my layout started.
I bought some kits (cars and bulidings), some RTR, accessories, landscape materials,etc. It adds up pretty fast.
What can I say, I have never been good at pacing myself. And damn it, there is so much cool stuff you can buy.
Oh well, I have been meaning to sell some books, dvd's, cd's. etc anyway, just to make room in the house. Now I definitely have to.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Don't I know it. I just got into this hobby a year or so ago. Last summer I sold my last streetrod and my better half says my new hobby is just as expensive. Marty.
Be careful buying too much "neat stuff" really early. I've got lots of stuff that I bought 2 years ago, before I even had benchwork, that's still in boxes and bags waiting to be used. Some of it really doesn't belong.
It's Dream-Plan-Build, not Dream-Buy-Build.
But you're right, everything out there is just so cool. I model the late 1960's, 3/4 of my layout is still pink foam, and what am I buying? Steam engines. Yeah, like I can take my own advice.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
to the marvels world of Model Railroading.
700 in a week wow you got bit harder than I did the first time I got started. Actually I was told not to spend much just incase I didnt want to do it anymore (plus my dad finances our hobby ( I do contribute money and I do all the scenery and wiring, track laying, DCC installing.) I do end up spending 500.00 at a crack when allowed to at Walthers I live 45min away but the trip us worth it I like the guys in the showroom very friendly and the discount shelves usually have items I want.
Hope you learn and enjoy being here we got a lot of people that know what they are talking about and well i'm pretty knowledgable also.
simon1966 wrote:It is funny how this happens! It is very easy to get out of control when getting going in this hobby. As you point out there are so many really neat things. Are you planning to model any particular time and place?
I figured that I wouldn't be alone on this.
I intended to stick to 1930-1950 era steam engines. But some of the things I bought were just "cool" regardless if they were period appropriate. Everything from cattle cars, to container cars, to crane cars. I haven't even drawn a basic layout plan yet.
I will probably end up with 2 layouts. One for Depression/WW 2 era, one for modern. At least my wife is a good sport about it.
Albert
MisterBeasley wrote: Be careful buying too much "neat stuff" really early. I've got lots of stuff that I bought 2 years ago, before I even had benchwork, that's still in boxes and bags waiting to be used. Some of it really doesn't belong.It's Dream-Plan-Build, not Dream-Buy-Build.But you're right, everything out there is just so cool. I model the late 1960's, 3/4 of my layout is still pink foam, and what am I buying? Steam engines. Yeah, like I can take my own advice.
Mister,
I Buy-Build-The Dream i am opposite. Actually I have so many building I had to add a top layer which the benchwork is being built there is a post about is somewhere on the list. But I did learn one thing make the benchwork then buy junk.
As for the neat stuff your telling me. Mille animated signs. Walthers Theater can go broke.
Beasley I know about the steam engine deal my dad is that way. I will admit I prefer diesels but something abou those bemoth steamers with the side rods and all the movine parts (drool) You just have to buy one my dad has 3 Athearn Challenger, Mantua, Bachmann Spectrum i cant remember the makes tho. I myself have Rivarossi Hiawatha, and Bachmann Spectrum Shay. so you can get caught up in buying things that dont fit. But remember Steam excursions
Albert,
I concur. What you should REALLY concentrate on right now is learning and figuring out what you want to model - i.e. particular RR, era, industries, layout size, DC or DCC, etc. That will help you to hone in on what you want to accomplish with your layout and help keep your spending down.
Start small, t-a-k-e y-o-u-r t-i-m-e, and spend the time learning from books before you jump in too far and start making purchases that you will end up regretting later on.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
When you are new to the hobby, it is easy to fall into the trap of buying stuff just because it looks cool. When you start to plan and build a layout, eventually you will settle on a theme and realize that not all that cool stuff you bought fits in with that theme. When I started my first layout, I decided I was going to model the UP without giving a lot of thought to a particular time or place. I would buy just about anything with a UP name on it. I ended up with everything from an Ambroid craftsman kit of an old time wooden box car to a modern day 85 footer. Same thing with the passenger fleet. Everything from Overton and Harriman coaches to the last of the pre-Amtrak lightweight equipment. Fortunately I became a little more discriminating when I started buying locos, sticking with steam and first generation diesels.
I'm sure every model railroader bought something from his early days in the hobby that now sits gathering dust on a shelf as he wonders "What was I thinking when I bought that?". Save yourself some money and temper your enthusiasm with some judicious choices about what is going to fit your first layout. It will save you the trouble of trying to unload a lot of unwanted stuff on e-bay.
Welcome to Model Railroading!
Nope....You're not nutz! If you had told us that you have a list of Hobby Shops that you intend to visit on your business trip, even THAT would not make you nutz! LOL!
One thing to remember, there is so much to learn in this Hobby. So many skills that you can elect to Master. I am in awe of what some of the folks do here just in scenery or in Model detailing. These are two improvement areas that I need to even consider myself on par with a novice.
This is not to say that I am a newbie. I have enjoyed this hobby for 20 plus years. I've just elected not to go down some roads and I know what makes me feel good about my equipment that I do have. Take a look at my 4x8 layout called the Homasote Wasteland...LOL! All my Locomotives are just out of the paint shop, fresh lube and ready to rock.
I use my Trains for my little reward for myself. With my children gone and my wife working too, a lot of stuff falls into my hands to take care of. House work, yard work, the cars, etc... So if I buy a new building or a new locomotive with some spare funds, I don't feel so bad about it. My new E8's are a prime example of being at the right place at the right time to buy an incredible deal.
So, Do it for yourself. Have your own standards and build your railroad the way YOU want too!
Chris
I know. Common sense told me to buy slow and stick to a plan. But then I go to the hobby shop and common sense goes right out the window.
It's all still new to me, so when I go to the hobby shop, it's all so cool that my brain just say "go ahead - you work hard - you deserve it."
But like I was saying, the week after next, I am on vacation and I am starting my bench work and layout. Things will come into focus then.
And even if I never use those container cars on my layout, I can always make a short track across my desk at work as a conversation piece.
Hey, as long as you're having fun -- no harm, no foul!
When you're just starting out, I think you need to explore a bit to find out what you really enjoy in model railroading. One of the advantages of model railroading is that it is such a diverse and eclectic hobby. It will take a while, most likely, before you figure out what you really want to make the kind of commitment to in order to focus more narrowly and build a layout.
Besides, if you get something that you find you won't need later, there's always Ebay...
Nooooo!
Don't go there yet, if you're worried about having too much to choose from!
Anyway, the point is that "Model Railroading Is Fun!" and as long as you're enjoying what you're doing, that's the point.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
"Hey, as long as you're having fun -- no harm, no foul!"
That is what I was thinking. As far as things to do with your money, this is pretty harmless.
And after 10 days on the road for work, I will need a good way to unwind on my week off. I can't wait.
ajelms wrote: ... As far as things to do with your money, this is pretty harmless...Albert
... As far as things to do with your money, this is pretty harmless...
Yes, but it gets very costly. There will come a time when you will have done the planning and research, and be ready to put a cohesive plan into effect. It gets really costly at that point, and you begin to regret all the impulsive spending that will not really have a place on your layout. Keep those dollars warm...or on ice..., but keep them. They will be so much more valuable to you when you can use them to get the must-haves as you develop the layout.
Just a gentle caution from one who no's... I mean, who knows.
I wonder how many of us got started with that first train set at Christmas? Way back December '81 my first child (a son) had just been born a month earlier and I was excited about Christmas coming. I went out and bought a Bachman train set at K-Mart and immediately set it up around the Christmas tree. I ran that train around and around the tree for several days and with each passing hour I sank deeper and deeper into "railroad madness". I soon realized that I simply had to have more track, more rolling stock, and a place to run the trains when the Christmas tree came down. I decided to visit the local hobby shop to see what might be available and bought my first issue of Model Railroader magazine. Once I read that magazine and learned what was possible, I couldn't wait to begin. Back to the hobby shop I went and bought an Atlas track plan book, some Atlas sectional track, a second power pack, some wire, and a couple of structure kits. In all I probably spent $200 that day and when I got home I locked myself in the bathroom and slipped the receipt under the door to my wife just to be safe until I learned what her reaction would be. She got mad at first and when she told her mother what I'd done, her mom said, "Well, at least you'll always know where he is at night." My wife laughed and soon realized that her mom was right - I was always in the train room. Now all these years later, I still spend the majority of my time in the train room and my wife knows just where to find me! She even encourages my model railroad "habit". Thanks for bringing back the memories.
ajelms wrote: simon1966 wrote:It is funny how this happens! It is very easy to get out of control when getting going in this hobby. As you point out there are so many really neat things. Are you planning to model any particular time and place?I figured that I wouldn't be alone on this.I intended to stick to 1930-1950 era steam engines. But some of the things I bought were just "cool" regardless if they were period appropriate. Everything from cattle cars, to container cars, to crane cars. I haven't even drawn a basic layout plan yet. I will probably end up with 2 layouts. One for Depression/WW 2 era, one for modern. At least my wife is a good sport about it.Albert
I laugh near you. I had O/O27 when I was a kid. Late in my teens I collected some N scale stuff (cute, small, people marveled at them)But I had always always wanted an HO layout. Returning to the hobby now, I have very limited budget, and no space. Anything I build must stand on end for storage, and cant be out permanently. N seemed just the thing!!!
But, due to all those cool things in the hobby shops in HO, if it was inexpensive, I would aquire it. Now I have 2 small layouts to work on, one N and one HO!. I also love steam locos, so N will have 2 settings, one 1800s and the, oh 50s (I have a 2-6-6-2). Ho seems to be 50's but I find myself drawn to the 1800s steams and cars for HO! I also have grown fonder on some of the newer diesels, so maybe ill skip the old HO and do 50s and modern. I hope to be moving this year, and hope to have more space.In the mean time I find I must go into the hobby store with finite cash and then I can only go so far!
Oh, and I have a partner... he comes with some old HO stuff, but is interested in N. There is no way we can or will be able to agree on layouts, as hed like to model european railways he grew up with visiting relatives in europe! I want US freight, old or new. so this may become a four layout household! (twice for 2 of us)
-G
Modeling the RAILS system...
the Rural Allied Industrial System, where any and all may join the collective, share and lease equipment and ROW use for the betterment of mankind and profitability of all.
While I have papers to prove I'm not all "right in the head", the RAILS SYSTEM is a world from inside my head, but its ok, they like me there.(I think)
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Look ! just go with your feelings, besides you only live once . At least in this life time. Buy what you wanna buy, build your layout anyway you want. And enjoy yourself !
Life is an Experience...
Reality...an interesting concept with no successful applications, that should always be accompanied by a "Do not try this at home" warning.
Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.
"Oooh...ahhhh...that's how this all starts...but then there's running...and screaming..."
First Albret welcome from me as well.
Second, this is way more of a complex hobby than you might think. Boy I have learned the hard way and made many mistakes a long the way in the short time (11 months) I have been in this game. I started with a small and cheap Life Like set for $35.00 and got hooked and started buying with out knowing what I was buying.
When I ran into problems was when I started pulling drags of 20 cars plus and at the time I did not have a Local Hobby Shop (LHS) for support. I finaly found this site then LHS K-10 Trains and started to figuer out the problems (have not throwen a car for 6 months now!) and having good luck.
Keys are.
1 Good bench work.
2 Tracking laying skills and tools.
3 Don't cluter up the bench with too much track.
4 Stop and think do I really need this before you buy! I did not and in 11 months have around 40 engines, 150 rolling stock, 9 passanger cars, 14 caboose 2 DC good power packs and now DCC. I have so much stuff I now stick cars and engines under the bench just to make room so I can run the bench! Plus by most people standerds here I have a good sizes bench in a U shape 19' X 13 X 8 foot.
I have wasted around $1500 too $2000 on stuff I more than likely never run again.
Here is the sickess thing that has happen to me, I swore I would NEVER EVER SPEND OVER $60.00 FOR A ENGINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had real good check and bought a Broadway Class J for $320.00! It is sweet and now disco for $199.99 but after that amount, $150.00 to $250.00 seems cheap?
As far as spending, in the last 6 weeks I have spent around $2000.00 and still have the crave for more stuff?
sick again Cuda Ken.
I hate Rust