Price of things

[marknewton]

In case you have not picked up on the general 'vibe', a lot of members around here don't have very much patience for this kind of topic...

You're not wrong. I'm sick of all the whingeing. If people are finding the hobby unaffordable, they either need to get a job that pays more, or find another hobby - it's that simple.

Mark.

[Medina1128]

OK, let me add MY here. I agree with everything that's been said above. I got in the hobby back in the mid 80s and an Athearn blue box kit locomotive was about $28 and $3.79 for a freight car. The quality of today's product, in terms of details and power is light years ahead of what we had back then. MOST locomotives now come with quality can motors. I still have an Athearn locomotive that had this funky drive motor incorporated in the truck, it's horrible. And there are great deals out there to be found from either online hobby shops or eBay.

I remember selling my hotrod when gas got to $1.00/gallon (it was 29 cents when I got my license). $1.00 A GALLON??!?! HAVE THEY LOST THEIR MINDS!?!?. Little did we know. That $1 a gallon sounds REAL good right about now.

[marknewton]

Does anyone remember day that you could buy a complete train for $100.00 that is 2 loco and 8 to 10 cars.  What the deal with some of these manufacture'r giving up on the people who love to build there own cars and loco's. 

The deal is they want to maximise their profit - and they make more money from RTR than kits.

Is it me or is there alot of millionair's in the hobby.

I can't buy what I need without a second morgage on my house now.  Is it me or is everyone else feeling the pinch of are hobby pricing us out of our hobby.

It's you.

Is Walthers or Athearns getting crazy with ther pricing or are they turning away possible new-bes to hobby. 

"Possible newbies" to the hobby aren't going to keep Walthers or Athearn in business.

Mark.

[MAbruce]

In case you have not picked up on the general 'vibe', a lot of members around here don't have very much patience for this kind of topic.  In fact, there's a very good chance that this thread will soon spin out of control and get locked (as many others have in the past).

Yes, this has become an expensive hobby.  Some would argue that it has always been an expensive hobby (which is probably true).  Even after finding cheaper sources and learning skills that help you utilize cheaper materials (getting away from the RTR products), it still adds up.  For most of us (I suspect), just trying to keep up with the important expenses of life is a challenge - nevermind a hobby like this.       

All I can say is to remember that it's supposed to be a hobby - something one does in their spare time for enjoyment.  

[GraniteRailroader]

NOW I can't even buy a loco without a second morgage.  I was able to buy a Athearns loco $25.00 basically and now they are at least $100.00.  If you are lucky enough to score on EBay you might get lucky.

I beg to differ. First link I got in Google typing in "HO Scale Hobby Shop Online"...

http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/HO-Scale-Locomotives-Athearn/HO_LOC_140_1.html

 

---

I dont understand all the doom and gloom lately. I really don't get it.

 

Yes, times may be tough for some, but don't forget that many of us have had it "real good" for a long time. A good amount of us still have it "real good" because of hard work and ingenuity.

Things aren't that bad yet. When they start rationing fuel and groceries, then we need to watch out. Until then, hobbies and other things that aren't necessities are just "EXTRA".

 

[loathar]

http://www.nhshobbies.com/category_s/56.htm
This place will solve your track price problems.

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/
And this place will solve your "everything else" price problems.

Any other complaints??

[RRTrainman]

I remember 1960. i was 17

Marlboros were .30 cents a pack

 Regular gas was .28 a gallon

Premium gas was .31cents a gallon

 16oz RC Cola was .13cents with 3.cents back for the deposit

Took my steady to a movie or an evening of bowling and a burger and coke afterward with $5 in my pocket and had money left over at the end of the night.

And my 1st full time job delivering telegrams for Western Union paid $1.05 an hour. after tax's that was about $36 a week

that was the good'old days......WANNA TRADE?

 

I remember though's days

[RRTrainman]

Does anyone remember day that you could buy a complete train for $100.00 that is 2 loco and 8 to 10 cars.

Yes, they were Tyco/Bachmann/LifeLike/PlayArt/ModelPower sets and they were horrible, even for it's day.  You can still get GOOD quality sets for 100.  You just have to know what you are looking for.

What the deal with some of these manufacture'r giving up on the people who love to build there own cars and loco's.  Now you can't buy a loco for $100.00 and its RTR with DCC and sound.

 

Sure you can.  Athearn, Atlas and Walthers make locos that fall into that price range....plenty to choose from.  In terms of kits, they are still out there, but you have to look. 

Don't talk about steam loco's there prices are 3 times what they were several years ago.  Is it me or is there alot of millionair's in the hobby.

There are a few millionaires, but I am not one....(I wish I was).

I can't buy what I need without a second morgage on my house now.  Is it me or is everyone else feeling the pinch of are hobby pricing us out of our hobby.  I'm in the middle of a expanction project and I'm feeling the crunch.  Even using so older stuff to cut some corners to make it work out.  Track has gone thru the roof too.  Use to be able to buy 10 sticks of flex track for $20.00, now your lucky to get 5 sticks.

 

Expanction?

You can still get flex for 2 dollars a shot, you just have to shop around.

 

Is Walthers or Athearns getting crazy with ther pricing or are they turning away possible new-bes to hobby. 

Nope, I believe the pricing is on par with what is was 10, 15 or even 20 years ago.  If you take into account the economy and inflation, I think we are doing just fine.  In fact, I believe that we are WAY ahead because of the quality we get for the price we pay.

Bottom line, if the hobby is too expensive for you, then you need to find frugal ways to enjoy the hobby.   

David B 

In 20 some-odd-years I've seen prices go through the roof no pun entended being a X contractor, when I came back to the hobby I love to do 20 some-odd-years ago I could buy anything I want for my layout.  NOW I can't even buy a loco without a second morgage.  I was able to buy a Athearns loco $25.00 basically and now they are at least $100.00.  If you are lucky enough to score on EBay you might get lucky.

[Packers#1]

Mark Peterson, "Spookshow" to most, has done a wonderful job keeping track of the costs for his last couple layouts.  And here's the bad side-- this isn't a "cheap" hobby.  No question about that.  Even the small N-scale layout he's currently building is probably going to end up costing 3 grand-- and that doesn't include his DCC, engines & cars.   If you want quality products for your layout it will cost, no doubt about it.

But here's the good side-- once the investment is made many of these costs will only be incurred rarely.  How often do people tear-down and rebuild their layouts with completely new everything?

Ditto. I've got some Atlas code 80 track, and while I'll be switching to code 55, I'm still using that track in little layouts that occupy my time while I wait for my room.

[BRAKIE]

Sure you could buy a complete train for $100 way back when, but what was your salary then?  Going by 1960 prices, a $100 train would have been 3 months' worth of Army pay if I didn't fritter it away on such silly things as food, clothing, etc.

People who like to say how cheap things were back in the good ol' days always forget what their earning power was then.

And the quality of the products was nowhere near as high as it is today.

 

 

Not exactly true..It seems to me that everybody forgets there was TONS of union jobs back then that paid good wages.Then how about the high paying construction jobs?

A highly detailed smooth running brass steam locomotive could be had for $39.95!!!! Street price was around $34.00-yes we had discounters back then to.

When I was 14(1964) I had a summer job that paid $73.00 a week(take home was around 62.00)..That was a lot of money back then.

[MichaelWinicki]

Mark Peterson, "Spookshow" to most, has done a wonderful job keeping track of the costs for his last couple layouts.  And here's the bad side-- this isn't a "cheap" hobby.  No question about that.  Even the small N-scale layout he's currently building is probably going to end up costing 3 grand-- and that doesn't include his DCC, engines & cars.   If you want quality products for your layout it will cost, no doubt about it.

But here's the good side-- once the investment is made many of these costs will only be incurred rarely.  How often do people tear-down and rebuild their layouts with completely new everything?

I have many friends with "toys"... like snowmobiles, motorcycles, boats, a favorite hot-rod they are rebuilding, and compared with these hobbies, model railroading is down-right "cheap".   Even if someone is interested in hunting, fishing or golf, I think they are going to end up spending a lot of money.

Cost/per hour of entertainment-- This is where model railroading shines in my opinion.  I know folks that will take a $10,000 boat out for only a few hours a month.  Heck, I think model railroaders will spend far more time in their hobby than what many will do with the hobbies and "toys" I mentioned previously, thus the real cost per hobby hour for model railroading ends up looking very good.    

[BRAKIE]

Does anyone remember day that you could buy a complete train for $100.00 that is 2 loco and 8 to 10 cars.  What the deal with some of these manufacture'r giving up on the people who love to build there own cars and loco's.  Now you can't buy a loco for $100.00 and its RTR with DCC and sound.  Don't talk about steam loco's there prices are 3 times what they were several years ago.  Is it me or is there alot of millionair's in the hobby.

I can't buy what I need without a second morgage on my house now.  Is it me or is everyone else feeling the pinch of are hobby pricing us out of our hobby.  I'm in the middle of a expanction project and I'm feeling the crunch.  Even using so older stuff to cut some corners to make it work out.  Track has gone thru the roof too.  Use to be able to buy 10 sticks of flex track for $20.00, now your lucky to get 5 sticks.

Is Walthers or Athearns getting crazy with ther pricing or are they turning away possible new-bes to hobby. 

Actually $100.00 can still buy a lot of you avoid full price hobby shops and shop on line.I can get  a Athearn locomotive and 5 Athearn or Atlas/Trainman RTR cars with that $100.00..I can buy a Athearn RS3 and 7 BB car kits with that money as well..

Shop around.

[ragnar]

I remember 1960. i was 17

Marlboros were .30 cents a pack

 Regular gas was .28 a gallon

Premium gas was .31cents a gallon

 16oz RC Cola was .13cents with 3.cents back for the deposit

Took my steady to a movie or an evening of bowling and a burger and coke afterward with $5 in my pocket and had money left over at the end of the night.

And my 1st full time job delivering telegrams for Western Union paid $1.05 an hour. after tax's that was about $36 a week

that was the good'old days......WANNA TRADE?

 

[steemtrayn]

I remember my father sending me to the gas station with a dime and a quarter to get a pack of Salems from the machine (I was 7). When I quit smoking in 1980, cigs were $0.70 a pack. It seems the money I'm saving now is all going to buy train stuff.

[PASMITH]

----- Original Message -----
Subject: 1955 VERY INTERESTING!!!


ALL THIS IS SO TRUE,IT WAS REALLY LIKE THIS...






Comments Made in the Year 1955!

That's only 53 years ago!

'I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20.00.'

Peter

'Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long before $2,000.00 will only buy a used one.'

'If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous.

'Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?'

'If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.'

'When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage.'

'Kids today are impossible. Those duck tail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls.'

'I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying *** in GONE WITH THE WIND, it seems every new movie has either HELL or *** in it.'

'I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas.'

'Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the President.'

'I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now.'

'It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.'

'It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.'

'Marriage doesn't mean a thing any more, those Hollywood stars seem to be getting divorced at the drop of a hat.'

'I'm afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.'

'Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to congress.'

'The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.'

'There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for a weekend, it costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel.'

'No one can afford to be sick anymore, at $35.00 a day in the hospital it's too rich for my blood.'

'If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it.'

[Packers#1]

Well put David. My take:

I can get a great running loco (DC control) For $60 + shipping. I can get DCC decoders for them that are around $21 per + shipping. Want a few cars, I can get boxcars for $7 a pop, and include them w/ the loco for same shipping price. Really, it's just a matter of looking at all the internet hobby shops in Model railroader and finding your favorites (for me it's 2 or 3). All 3 of my Atlases I got for $50 (on sale, though they were only $60 each before). You can find plenty of good deals, just go on google for about half an hour looking at different hobby shop websites, or ebay. (all prices on N scale stuff). Of course, some stuff is priced WAY up there.

[andrechapelon]

Does anyone remember day that you could buy a complete train for $100.00 that is 2 loco and 8 to 10 cars.  What the deal with some of these manufacture'r giving up on the people who love to build there own cars and loco's.  Now you can't buy a loco for $100.00 and its RTR with DCC and sound.  Don't talk about steam loco's there prices are 3 times what they were several years ago.  Is it me or is there alot of millionair's in the hobby.

I can't buy what I need without a second morgage on my house now.  Is it me or is everyone else feeling the pinch of are hobby pricing us out of our hobby.  I'm in the middle of a expanction project and I'm feeling the crunch.  Even using so older stuff to cut some corners to make it work out.  Track has gone thru the roof too.  Use to be able to buy 10 sticks of flex track for $20.00, now your lucky to get 5 sticks.

Is Walthers or Athearns getting crazy with ther pricing or are they turning away possible new-bes to hobby. 

Anybody remember when you could buy a brand new car for under $2500?

Or a brand new house for under $20,000?

Gas for $0.35/gallon?

A Coke for $.010 or a candy bar (with more candy in it) for the same price?

How about $0.25/lb ground beef?

Remember when a McDonald's hamburger was a $0.15 and an order of fries the same?

How's about an unrestricted airline ticket from SFO to LAX for $13.50? IIRC, if you were willing to fly on a Lockheed Electra instead of a new 737, the price was $11.50

Then there was the pay you received as a fresh recruit into the military - $78/month.

I could do some hobby price comparisons then versus now, adjusting for inflation, but there would be no point. You're already convinced you're being ripped off.

BTW, a million bucks ain't what it used to be, either. You'd need $7.4 million today to have the equivalent of $1 million in 1960.

Andre

[cacole]

Sure you could buy a complete train for $100 way back when, but what was your salary then?  Going by 1960 prices, a $100 train would have been 3 months' worth of Army pay if I didn't fritter it away on such silly things as food, clothing, etc.

People who like to say how cheap things were back in the good ol' days always forget what their earning power was then.

And the quality of the products was nowhere near as high as it is today.

 

[tomikawaTT]

I certainly DO remember those days.  I also remember gasoline at four gallons for a buck and a minimum wage of $.75.

If you have lived long enough to have to shave, you have seen candy bars get more expensive.  If you have lived long enough to see your son start to shave, you have seen EVERYTHING get more expensive.  (If my grandson was as old as his twin sisters he would have been shaving for years, and I can point at things from hamburger to houses that used to cost 10% of what I pay today.)

This is a phenomenon known as inflation.  It has been a fact of life ever since the first trader paid three handsful of edible nuts for a pretty rock, then sold it to someone else for four handsful of nuts.  In my lifetime, it has varied in steepness, but the slope has always been UP.

My point?  Prices are what they are.  You can choose to pay MSRP, or look for discounts, deals (at train shows and elsewhere) or do-it-yourself.  Or you can choose to hold your hobby purchases until your finances are more secure.  Any of those choices make more sense than wishing for a time machine to whisk you back to the 'good old days.'

Sorry for my lack of sympathy.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - when, as and if I can afford to)

[Ibeamlicker]

Nicely put David,I agree 100%.

[RRTrainman]

Does anyone remember day that you could buy a complete train for $100.00 that is 2 loco and 8 to 10 cars.  What the deal with some of these manufacture'r giving up on the people who love to build there own cars and loco's.  Now you can't buy a loco for $100.00 and its RTR with DCC and sound.  Don't talk about steam loco's there prices are 3 times what they were several years ago.  Is it me or is there alot of millionair's in the hobby.

I can't buy what I need without a second morgage on my house now.  Is it me or is everyone else feeling the pinch of are hobby pricing us out of our hobby.  I'm in the middle of a expanction project and I'm feeling the crunch.  Even using so older stuff to cut some corners to make it work out.  Track has gone thru the roof too.  Use to be able to buy 10 sticks of flex track for $20.00, now your lucky to get 5 sticks.

Is Walthers or Athearns getting crazy with ther pricing or are they turning away possible new-bes to hobby.