Jim Murray The San Juan Southern RR
Originally posted by grayfox1119 Now that a new year is about to begin, it might be interesting to see how much we spend "typically" or on "average" in any given year. If your not ashamed of your age, that would be interesting also to note. I am 65 about to turn 66 in January, and am just returning to this hobby since boyhood. I have space and time now, and hopefully enough money. I spent about $650 in 2004 getting some equipment and DCC system. Now I need to buy lumber etc. to fini***he cement walled room in basement, so I expect this year I will give the local Home Depot about $800 for wall studding, insulation, wiring, lighting, bench work. WOW, have I got my work cut out in 2005 !!!! Am I the only one? Heeeeelp!!! I think I will keep tract of expenses on Xcel Spreadsheet hahahahaha. grayfox1119[:0] [/quote I just turned 54 this past Nov. I've been modeling for over 40 years. I've spent around $2000.00 on the railroad this past year. NOW PLEASE don't forget,that does include books & magazines we get,so we can build the layouts.[:)] Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!! Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 31, 2004 7:10 PM well lets see... $150 for DCC, $200 for 40 switch machines, I splurged $250 on a couple genesis 70MACs on my birthday, and probably spent about $200 at train shows this year. So that totals... $800 more or less Reply Edit egmurphy Member sinceJanuary 2003 From: Mexico 2,629 posts Posted by egmurphy on Friday, December 31, 2004 7:53 PM That's a tough one as purchases can range all over the board. A similar question came up a little while ago that asked the average amount spent per month. I checked back and this year, not counting magazine subscriptions or books or railfanning (like riding tourist trains), I've averaged about $45/month in model railroading expenses. Only bought one locomotive, and it was on a special sale. So that's about $540 for the year. I'd expect 2005 expenses to wind up around $500 also. I'm 57, going on 58, and retired. Regards Ed The Rail Images Page of Ed Murphy "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." - James Michener Reply Eriediamond Member sinceMarch 2016 1,447 posts Posted by Eriediamond on Friday, December 31, 2004 8:01 PM Boy, I love these easy questions or polls. Quick and simple answer: More than I can really afford and a whole lot less than I'd like to. Reply mustanggt Member sinceOctober 2002 From: Massachusetts 664 posts Posted by mustanggt on Friday, December 31, 2004 9:48 PM Too much[;)] C280 rollin' Reply jwr_1986 Member sinceDecember 2003 From: Sullivan County, NY 239 posts Posted by jwr_1986 on Friday, December 31, 2004 10:22 PM Firstly let me say that I'm a full time college student so I money gets very very tight. Yet some how I managed to "Donate" over $500 dollars worth of DCC (Digitrax of course) to my club and still purchase two mid-range plastic locomotives (used so about $100). Subscription to MR $36. One Blue-print series box car ($16). DCC decoders $60. Club dues for the year $240. So al tolled that's $952. I'm sure there are other expenses that I am forgetting about so easily a Grand this year. Watch out when I get out of college and actually have a good job... Reply CP5415 Member sinceJuly 2003 From: Whitby, ON 2,594 posts Posted by CP5415 on Friday, December 31, 2004 10:22 PM The answer my wife gives is TOO MUCH!!!! The answer I always give NOT ENOUGH! but I average about $80 CAN a month Gordon Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H! K1a - all the way Reply trainfan1221 Member sinceJuly 2003 From: Elmwood Park, NJ 2,385 posts Posted by trainfan1221 on Friday, December 31, 2004 10:31 PM As much as I can, but only at certain times. This stuff costs money, ya know. Reply tstage Moderator Member sinceJune 2003 From: Northeast OH 17,255 posts Posted by tstage on Saturday, January 1, 2005 3:45 AM I just started my layout this past May. To the best of my recollection, I would guess that I dropped about $1,000 - 1,200 in the last 6 months. That figure would include all the following: structure and rolling stock kits, track, transformers, locomotives, benchwork, reference books, magazines, lighting, trees, adhesives, brushes, paints, tools, storage units, solvents, and supplies - just to name a few. I don't expect to be approaching anywhere near that sum this year though. Tom https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step. Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 1, 2005 8:33 AM As much as my wife lets me Last year after selling off my other hobby/interst I started a new layout and hit trains head on I would say I hit the 3500.00 easy. This year who knows but its only 50-100 at a time. people keep asking me when I am done and I say as soon as you give me a blank check Reply Edit simon1966 Member sinceJuly 2003 From: Metro East St. Louis 5,743 posts Posted by simon1966 on Saturday, January 1, 2005 8:45 AM The nature of my spending in 2005 will be very different than in 2004. In 04 I purchased my DCC system. Purchased and installed some 43 Peco turnouts and purchased all my track and roadbed. So I easly spent over $1k. This year it is all about structures and scenery, so I don't think I will be spending at anything like the same level. 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 Reply mikebonellisr Member sinceJune 2003 From: US 641 posts Posted by mikebonellisr on Saturday, January 1, 2005 11:05 AM I would guess it's about $400 a month.It has a way of growing.Whenever I visit the hobby shop I can easily drop $40 on magazines,paint,detail parts or whatever.As a example,I'm working on converting a IHC Pacific into a NYC K3q.When I figured out the details that I would need,those came to $75,but while looking through the Bowser and PSC catalogs I found details for some of my other engines.That brought it up to about $i30.The same thing happend with MicroMark.What I needed cost about $30 then found stuff I"could use" that brought it to $91 But I made a mistake and sent a MO for $81.They called to tell me about the mistake and let me know that there is free shipping on orders over $100,So I found more stuff that I "needed" which brought it up to $146...Ah yes!, But it was FREE shipping...That happens to me a lot .The hobby should cost me half as much as I spend.I'm 67 and not getting any smarter Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 1, 2005 11:08 AM I've spent about $6,000 easy between my new layout and new locos. Reply Edit darth9x9 Member sinceDecember 2002 From: US 665 posts Posted by darth9x9 on Saturday, January 1, 2005 11:30 AM I am ashamed at how much I spent on the hobby in 2004. If I told you all the actual amount, many of you would think I am crazy and others would think I was lying. But I am sure my LHS is appreciative of all of the trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City that I paid through merchandise sales. Also, many of the industry's manufacturers would love me for the amount of items I procured over the last year. I think I need a 12 step program...... BC Bill Carl (modeling Chessie and predecessors from 1973-1983) Member of Four County Society of Model Engineers NCE DCC Master Visit the FCSME at www.FCSME.org Modular railroading at its best! If it has an X in it, it sucks! And yes, I just had my modeler's license renewed last week! Reply Roadtrp Member sinceNovember 2003 760 posts Posted by Roadtrp on Saturday, January 1, 2005 12:29 PM I'm 52, and I spent about $1,000 last year. That is probably about the same as I will spend this year. I'm at the point where I am mainly buying scenicing materials. I would like probably one more quality locomotive in the coming year, but that is the only major expenditure I can think of. I'm just not a dozens of locomotives kind of guy. I figure my layout reasonably supports about four locomotives at a time. Why would I need more than four locos? [:)] -Jerry Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 1, 2005 2:39 PM Starting from scratch about two months ago, about $2500. No telling what 2005 will see. Reply Edit grayfox1119 Member sinceAugust 2003 From: Cherry Valley, Ma 3,674 posts Posted by grayfox1119 on Monday, January 3, 2005 6:24 PM It will be interesting to see how much we spend by December 31st 2005. It is easy to understand new folks spending a healthy sum, but for established RR'ds, I imagine the bucks would go for new engines, some cars, maybe an upgrade (DC to DCC). *** Dick If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got!! Learn from the mistakes of others, trust me........you can't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself, I tried !! Picture album at :http://www.railimages.com/gallery/dickjubinville Picture album at:http://community.webshots.com/user/dickj19 local weather www.weatherlink.com/user/grayfox1119 Reply BNSFGP38 Member sinceDecember 2004 From: Cab 162 posts Posted by BNSFGP38 on Monday, January 3, 2005 6:27 PM I "dollar here, dollar there " myself to death. If I added it all up, I would probally slap myself for not buying a yacht! [:D][:p] Reply jhoff310 Member sinceApril 2013 102 posts Posted by jhoff310 on Monday, January 3, 2005 7:33 PM If I had to guess I would say somewhere in the neighborhood of $3000 that includes magazines, clinics, memberships etc.... Just a rough guess. Jeff Reply WickhamMan Member sinceJune 2004 From: Ashburn, VA 276 posts Posted by WickhamMan on Monday, January 3, 2005 8:41 PM I'm 41 and just getting back into the hobby I enjoyed as a kid. This is a strange question because startup costs are significantly higher than I expect my ongoing costs to be. I spent around $2,000 last year but that bought me most of the expensive items for my layout. Now I just have smaller growth and maintenence costs (magazines, paint, models, etc.). I expect 2005's number to be less than $500, maybe even less than $200 if my wife starts adding things up! [:(!] Ed W. Reply PennsyHoosier Member sinceOctober 2004 From: Northern Indiana 1,000 posts Posted by PennsyHoosier on Monday, January 3, 2005 9:10 PM I spent more than I should have last year. And I'm certainly NOT Lawrence, The Pennsy Hoosier Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 3, 2005 9:15 PM I'm 21, and it all depends on whether I'm working or not, or what my other financial obligations are, and time of year. Early part of the year, may see me spending the most on new trains. Alvie. Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 3, 2005 9:46 PM Well, I feel really cheap now :p Im new to the hobby (as of 2 years ago) and am only 15, have virtually no source of money for spending, so in those to years ive spent maybe $250. I plan on spending at least $100 or more this year, just depending on how much i get money wise. If i get a job I will probably spend a LOT more though. Its a good learning system basically. Reply Edit trolleyboy Member sinceMay 2014 3,727 posts Posted by trolleyboy on Monday, January 3, 2005 10:29 PM Oh god I have no idea somewhere between $1-3000 a year this year was worse than most though as I've re-built the layout so the lumber etc adds up. TB Reply 12 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! Login Register 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! Sign up
Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!
Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!
K1a - all the way
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
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
Bill Carl (modeling Chessie and predecessors from 1973-1983) Member of Four County Society of Model Engineers NCE DCC Master Visit the FCSME at www.FCSME.org Modular railroading at its best! If it has an X in it, it sucks! And yes, I just had my modeler's license renewed last week!