Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Well, I bought gas today at $1.30 a litre - thats $4.94 for an American gallon, or $5.85 for a good, old-fashioned Imperial gallon - a far cry from the $.34 I payed for an Imperial gallon when I started driving, back in the '60s. Still, no real effect yet on the hobby. I go railfanning locally whenever I feel like it, and to the hobbyshop (about 30 miles, round trip) at least once a week. I'm also hoping to do some railfanning, model train shopping, and visiting of friends in Ohio and Pennsylvania later this summer. It'll be nice to get some cheap gas for a change.
Wayne
A coworker at my office just bought a Toyota Prius hybrid. He actually got over 50 mpg on the hwy.
I bought a Toyota RAV4 two years ago and it gets decent mileage by SUV standards. I mail order most of my stuff so other than not making unnecessary trips, no major effect so far.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
loathar wrote: I wish I had my brothers old 1983 Honda Civic that got 35 mpg.25 YEARS AGO!!!
Some of the older Honda Civics were tiny beer can's on wheels and death traps in major accident. The old VW Rabbits got over 40 and the diesels version over 50 hwy.
My local hobby shop is exactly one mile from my house and the UPS truck comes right to my door, so even if gas goes to $20 a gallon it won't impede my hobby. If worse comes to worse, I can walk to the hobby shop. The gas station is farther from my house than the hobby shop. My house is 3 blocks from a bus stop, and that bus goes to the light rail station.
In a couple of years when the spousal unit can retire, too, we won't HAVE to drive at all except for groceries, and the grocery store is right across the street from the gas station.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
kenkal wrote:Uh, Jeffrey, maybe you want to check he calculations again? The difference is a lot less than calculated. Was gas really around 95 cents a gallon in 2005? ;o) Ken
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
jeffrey-wimberly wrote: kenkal wrote:Uh, Jeffrey, maybe you want to check he calculations again? The difference is a lot less than calculated. Was gas really around 95 cents a gallon in 2005? ;o) KenIt was here.
Oh come on Jeff! What are you sniffing?? Follow this link and go to page 4. Sure, they note that Lousiana had some of the lowest gas prices in the country, but they still report the average price in LA on 06/03/05 at $2.12/gal - that's more than 200% more than what you talking about. There's stretching the truth a little and then there's *****.
http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/900836_gasoline_prices.pdf
Has the increase in gas prices cut into MRRing? No, not really. Like many others I've got enough projects to working on to keep me busy for quite awhile. The odd parts and supplies that might be needed aren't that much and coordinating the trip to the LHS with other errands is just the wise thing to do. The one's the increase is really affecting are those on some kind of fixed income like retirees. There are others I hear complaining that quite frankly I have little sympathy for and think need to reevaluate their priorities. If you're spending more money on your MRR hobby than you are on food, clothing etc. or are delaying purchase of food and other essentials so you can buy a few new pieces of rolling stock, scenery, etc. then your priorities are messed up. This is after all a hobby and should be on the bottom of the list as to where limited finances get spent.
Yes it has cut down on my trips to the LHS. Up here gas is $1.30/litre, a litre is about 1 US quart therefore gas is # 5.20 /gallon. Im retired on a fixed income, may have to go back to work to eat. Dont you just love oil speculators?
My layout is approaching "completion," which, as we all know, is something that never really happens. However, for the sake of argument, let's define "completion" as "covering over the last visible pink foam."
I've been thinking of joining a club once I don't have as much to do on my own layout, but now, besides travel time, I've got to factor in travel cost as well.
I've always tried to combine trips, so going to the LHS is still something I do on the way home from work (saves a few miles) or in combination with other shopping at the beer/wine store and the Oriental grocery. This summer, though, I may ride my bicycle to the LHS when the purchases are small enough to fit in a pocket.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
loathar wrote:It's making high shipping charges seem more reasonable. I wish I had my brothers old 1983 Honda Civic that got 35 mpg.25 YEARS AGO!!! It's costing me $20/week just to mow my grass. (anybody got a herd of goats they want to sell??)
These things also had a 0 - 60 time that you needed a calendar to measure! An astounding 68 horsepower!
David
MisterBeasley wrote: My layout is approaching "completion," which, as we all know, is something that never really happens. However, for the sake of argument, let's define "completion" as "covering over the last visible pink foam."I've been thinking of joining a club once I don't have as much to do on my own layout, but now, besides travel time, I've got to factor in travel cost as well.I've always tried to combine trips, so going to the LHS is still something I do on the way home from work (saves a few miles) or in combination with other shopping at the beer/wine store and the Oriental grocery. This summer, though, I may ride my bicycle to the LHS when the purchases are small enough to fit in a pocket.
A sinch bag or a small backpack might prove light enough on you as you ride and can hold 5 or so small cars in boxes.
-Morgan
Don't they make baskets for bicycles anymore?
That was what I used when I delivered newspapers on mine.
Gasoline prices hasn't effected my modeling to much as I do most of my shopping online. My nearest Hobby Shop is in Okla. City, around 150 miles one way and have been there only once. There is a hobby Lobby in Lawton and is about 45 miles one way and they have a very limited assortment of train items.
What is stopping me now is the heat. My trainroom is in the upstairs part of my house and although it is completly finished, and has an AC mounted in the wall, It cost so much in electricity to keep it cool enough to do anything. I do have a bad back and am on limited income and cannot do much bending over the layout for very long at a time.
I do crank up the AC now and then in the evenings and manage to do some work on the layout and run some trains. This may have to stop next month when I get the elect. bill. I can do some kits and such in the basement, as it it somewhat cooler, when my back will let me. So far this week all I have done is lay around and hurt all day and take Lorta. Mike
DavidH wrote: loathar wrote:It's making high shipping charges seem more reasonable. I wish I had my brothers old 1983 Honda Civic that got 35 mpg.25 YEARS AGO!!! It's costing me $20/week just to mow my grass. (anybody got a herd of goats they want to sell??)These things also had a 0 - 60 time that you needed a calendar to measure! An astounding 68 horsepower! David
This wasn't one of the 2 cylinder beer cans from the 70's. The 83/84 model Civics were actually pretty nice cars. 4 cylinder/5 speed. Had twice the pick up of my 82 Chevette. Thing had 200,000 miles on it and still ran great when he sold it.
Acutally gas has not gone up as much as 'our' currency has degraded. The dollar has been the "oil trading standard" for some time, as the dollar weakens everything, especially oil rises in cost (dollars). Volitality due to current conflict(s) was factored into the price of crude long ago. The lastest price gains have much more to do with failing currency than crude cost.
With that said, it has effected railfan activities and overall I drive less. I wish I could say I had more time to model but I am lucky as work keeps me very busy of late.
loathar wrote: DavidH wrote: loathar wrote:It's making high shipping charges seem more reasonable. I wish I had my brothers old 1983 Honda Civic that got 35 mpg.25 YEARS AGO!!! It's costing me $20/week just to mow my grass. (anybody got a herd of goats they want to sell??)These things also had a 0 - 60 time that you needed a calendar to measure! An astounding 68 horsepower! DavidThis wasn't one of the 2 cylinder beer cans from the 70's. The 83/84 model Civics were actually pretty nice cars. 4 cylinder/5 speed. Had twice the pick up of my 82 Chevette. Thing had 200,000 miles on it and still ran great when he sold it.
galaxy wrote: SO, how has/will the price of gas affected your hobby??
PFS is quite correct. The weakened dollar has been a major factor in the increase in the price of oil. The Federal Reserve's lowered of interest rates, especially in quick succession, in an attempt to stop inflation and in response to the credit crunch caused by the collapse of the mortgage markets. The idea was that it would make borrowers more likely to lend and consumers more likely borrow and spend which would in turn get (or keep) the economy moving again. What it has ended up doing is created instability in the credit markets and has caused a weakening of the dollar. Which has lead to record prices for oil.
It's hard to say. Naturally, the money needed to spend for gas means less money for discretionary spending but that is spread over many categories, not just model railroading. The ripple effect of higher fuel costs is probably at least as big a factor. Costs of everything that requires transportation gets passed on the consumer. I live in a rural area and even the company that picks up my trash passes on a fuel surcharge to their customers.
Another side effect is the push for ethanol. More corn being used for fuel means less is available for food, livestock feed, and other corn byproducts. Less supply means higher prices so again, the ripple effect is present but difficult to judge.
Fortunately, in my case, I have done most of the big ticket spending for my layout. My locomotive fleet is just about complete. I have already acquired most of the structure kits I will need to complete my layout. There is still more lumber, track, and scenic materials that will need to be purchased, but I believe I have already done most of the big spending for my layout.
Well, I dont take the drive with my dad to the hobby shop as much anymore, but I have been using up my materials and when i go to the store i buy in bulk not just what i need. We are heading to the beach which is 3 hours away, my parents aren't happy with the prices but it wont stop my family from getting away from home for a week. I dont plan on buying anything i dont need, and planning helps alot.
Tjsingle
jktrains wrote: PFS is quite correct. The weakened dollar has been a major factor in the increase in the price of oil. The Federal Reserve's lowered of interest rates, especially in quick succession, in an attempt to stop inflation and in response to the credit crunch caused by the collapse of the mortgage markets. The idea was that it would make borrowers more likely to lend and consumers more likely borrow and spend which would in turn get (or keep) the economy moving again. What it has ended up doing is created instability in the credit markets and has caused a weakening of the dollar. Which has lead to record prices for oil.
And the weakened dollar is a side effect of excessive government spending. For years, the Republicans told us they were the party of limited government. When they finally got control of Congress we found out what they were against was big Democrat government. Apparently, they have no problem with big Republican government. This is the reason I have become disillusioned with both major parties. The Democrats like to tax and spend. The Republicans like to borrow and spend. Both approaches have a negative effect on the economy. I used to think both parties stood for different things. I have come to realize they both stand for the same thing. RE-ELECTION!!! The only difference between the two parties is which group of voters they lie to in order to get re-elected.
Allow me now to step down from my soap box and go run my trains.
Not at all. It sure cut my cell phone use though. I order via the 'Net. I save a lot by not using my cell phone.
Ford F150 4 X 4 gets 13mpg with twin tanks, I am retired, single and living on S.S. income. Just ordered a Spectrum 4-6-0, decoder and speakers. It is all based on establishing priorities.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.