Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Cheapskate model railroading

7896 views
60 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2012
  • From: Kokomo, Indiana
  • 1,463 posts
Posted by emdmike on Friday, December 28, 2018 10:22 AM

Looks great!   This is how it was done for many years before we had the multitude of kits on the market.  Back then, you created models from whatever you could find around the house or at the five and dime store.  Thanks for posting!     Mike

Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • 569 posts
Cheapskate model railroading
Posted by drgwcs on Friday, December 28, 2018 9:58 AM

 Sometimes we can use cheap household things to scratchbuild on our layout. Inspired by the Great Model Railway Challenge- (If you haven't seen that it's on youtube) what ordinary things have you used on your layout? Doing so is a way to keep the costs down and save money to but that pricier engine that is on our want list. (Please do not let this become a hobby is too expensive thread) I have found a lot of unconventional things to use on the layout.

I'll start this off- oil tanks- these are made from PVC pipe couplings and caps. Scribe some weld lines, add a reefer hatch on top and signs- these are from a tin sign catalog. I also had a small gas distributor that was made from some old 35 mm film cans.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!