PRICES

[selector]

Very true, Dave. Vehicle servicing is more expensive, people still rent DVDs and go to movies, and they eat outside the home about four times as often. We don't want things now, we want them right #@5&ing now! Five minutes ago would have been nice.

The other thing is, leaving inflation aside, labour costs have risen everywhere. I do not believe that model trains are mass produced. A few of their components may be, but they're sure as heck not put together by robots.

[davekelly]

I think we also need to recognize what else is taking chunks of our discretionary income that wasn't in the 60's or 70's. I dare say pretty much many homes have a cell phone for each person over the age of 12. Cable/satelite TV. Movie rentals. More cars per family than before. Video games (still can't believe the price of some of those). Internet service. Computer. Thus, even if relative prices didn't go up, its competing against more things for our dollars.

Just a thought.

[selector]

Yes, it is relatively more expensive, but I completed a layout measuring 8X11 with turntable and full scenics and DCC for under $4K Cdn. That's less than half the cost of a snowmobile, and an ATV, about the cost of a 34" LCD HDTV, and only twice as much as a 15hp lawn tractor. it's all relative. Some audio speakers go for $2000 each. Some sewing machinres retail for $3000!!

A well-engineered, sound-equipped steamer for $500 Cdn is not a show stopper unless the cost is clearly out of one's range. If so, you do without sound the same way that I do without a Bose sound system.

[gvdobler]

I bought a new airplane in 1981 for $76K, now the same plane is about $360k.
I bought a new Corvette in 1975 for $8K, now they are about $50k.
I bough a new house in 1984 for $115k, a house like it is now about $400k.
I bought a new Cadillac in 1982 for $16k, now they are about $50k.

I think for the selection and the quality the prices are not too bad.

Jon - Las Vegas

[IRONROOSTER]

This has been discussed frequently in the forums. Leaving aside conspiracy theories, I think there are 3 things going on that make the hobby appear to cost more than the general cost of living increases that everything gets.
1. RTR: When I started 33 years ago, there was very little RTR outside the toy market. In the last few years RTR has become a major part of the market. Even though alot of this is made in China, still it costs extra.
2. Quality: There has been a significant increase in the quality and level of detail. This costs more whether it is RTR of kits or parts. This also makes the economy lines appear less desirable.
3. Loss of the economy lines: Several low cost or economy lines have disappeared. There used to be several kit manufacturers whose kits were about double that of Athearn or less. Most of these seem to have disappeared. It appears that some of the MDC line of kits will also disappear.

I think you can still do this hobby for about the same relative cost as when I started. There just isn't as much available. I started with Atlas buildings, Atlas snap track, and Tyco trains. I didn't know the stuff wasn't any good, so I had fun with it. Later I added some MDC and Athearn cars.

Enjoy
Paul

[Adelie]

The other consideration recently is that much of this stuff is manufactured or assembled elsewhere, and the dollar hasn't exactly been doing well overseas. This drives up everthing to one degree or another.

[Javern]

some of the Tyco stuff off Ebay is looking better and better

[CNJ831]

QUOTE: Originally posted by unionpacific4018

Model railroading has always been an exspensive hobby.

This statement has been bandied about so often I guess people actually believe it. I've been in the hobby for a long time, and my father was before me. I can say without hesitation that between the 1960 and 1990 HO model railroading was not considered an expensive pursuit. Putting all the non-applicable CPI and inflation adjustment stuff aside, the hobby has never been more relatively expensive since the days immediately following WWII than it is currently. Yes, you still can buy cheaper, low-end stuff but its availability is slowly decreasing and, in general, its operating characteristics leave much to be desired, forcing most newcomers and those less talented into expending progressively greater and greater outlays of cash.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

I agree that prices are rising.There are still cheaper alternatives out there.You can buy a 10.00 dollar Athearn hopper or a top of the line Intermountain with Kadees for 30.00.The Intermountain cars are nice and highly detailed.The Athearn can be made better with the addition of some high quality wheelsets and Kadees.You can buy the old Athearn blue box engines or buy the newest Kato.They have priced me out of the high quality stuff for the moment.I can no longer justify 140.00 for a loco when I have kids to raise and a mortgage etc.If I do get one of the elite models it must be at a deep discount from now on.No more credit cards.LOLDan

[Anonymous]

Model railroading has always been an exspensive hobby.

[jacon12]

I've seen this discussed several time before on different forums and some concluded that todays selection of items (compared to 25-30 years ago) and prices isn't that expensive. I'm new to the hobby so I can't relate, but as a new person some of the prices do seem to be pretty high. One thing I've noticed is the more than double the price when you add dcc and sound. A very good locomotive can be bought for around $100. Put a dcc board and a speaker in it and it's $225. I know these components are mass produced and at the factory level I'm not sure just how hard they are to install, but doubling the price seems to me a bit high.
But, I'm new..... so what do I know... :)
Jacon

[Anonymous]

I was horrified to see a mining car for au$54.50 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Is it me or is the prices of this hobby getting to high. $20 to $40 for a NJ International signal. $40 and up for one passenger car.$300 for a loco. I think that this is a turn off for the younger people growing up to do.