Model Railroading & Gas Prices

[swknox]

Hi everyone. I was just wondering how was my fellow model railroaders are doing despite the high gas prices. There were several new locos that I planned on buying but since gas has gone crazy I have held off because funds are tight. Well not to tight but still makes me second guess buying only what I need. I can't eat plastic locos.[:D] Has the gas prices effected how u manage the hobby or stopped u from buying that loco or freight car u wanted? In my case I have decided this was the perfect time to remodel some older athearn units I had with some new add on details and new paint with my air brush. I already had some DCC decoders so there was no cost there. The cost of this was not that great about 20 to 30 bucks a loco vs. 130 to 260 dollars for new loco depending on what u get. Please let me know!

[NZRMac]

Fuel price has gone up here too, I'm very lucky I have a company vehicle with full private use. The Mrs drives a Toyota 4wd Surf diesel, the diesel has risen too but not near petrol.

Most of my purchases are in US dollars anyway and I have to convert to Kiwi cash, So and average loco for me is $300-400 NZ .

Ken.

[MisterBeasley]

The gallon-gulping Blazer is about to be traded in on an economy car. The old 60's era Athearn engines are being replaced by new power-efficient Protos. I'm saving energy in HO and 1-to-1.

[Jetrock]

Actually I think high gas prices will motivate more model railroading, instead of taking trips out of town for things like railfanning. Building kits is a stay-at-home thing, and thanks to the piles of unbuilt kits I have I won't have to spend that much to have lots to keep me busy this fall.
(note: famous last words)

[Piedsou]

It's not hurting me any. I'm now retired, so even though my income has reduced somewhat, my take home income, when all is said and done, is the same or even higher than when I was working. When working, I was driving a minimun of 44 miles a day. Now, I may only drive 4 miles or day or none at all. If I really wanted to, I could go a month between fill ups.

Dale Latham

[grayfox1119]

Most people drive an average of 12,000 miles a year. That would mean that before the spike in prices, it cost you $1380 a year for gas. This assumes a price of $2.30/al, and your car got 20 mpg average. Now, with gas at $3.35/gal, it will cost you $2010. That is a difference of $630 LESS for you to spend. If you are on a tight budget already, it can SERIOUSLY affect your MRR purchases. Remember, it isn't just gasolene that is effected by the price of oil/barrel. Almost everything we purchase is affected. Plastic products all use petroleum in their processes, turcking costs, heating costs at all stores and factories that make everything from peanut butter to toilet paper. So if you think that your budget is only being affected by gasolene, you are sadly mistaken. AND, your real estate taxes are about to take a big hit also because the heating bill at all your schools is going to go through the roof this year, which means the school budgets will be out of sight!!! Better do some belt tightening guys, unless you are independently wealthy.

[jrbernier]

For me it really makes little difference right now. I have a 3 mile RT drive to work. Where it will hit me is this winter. NG prices are going to really jump due to the damage to the off shore rigs and not enough NG stored. I guess I will be burning a lot more wood this season(live in Minnesota). And I am not going to trade in my 'gas gulping' SUV - - It is worth every penny in the winter! Vehicle fuel costs are a small part of the 'total car ownership' cost. It hurts to shell out over $40 every time I fill up the tank, but that is maybe every two weeks if I do not do a lot of out of area driving. As Jetrock mentioned, maybe staying home will save gas and spur more model building! The last point is that the plastic in models is petroleum based - but so little it really does not matter. Where we might see an increased cost of our models is increased shipping costs to deliver the stuff!

Jim Bernier

[grayfox1119]

Jim, I see you live in a cold winter climate area also, I live in central Mass in the high hills about 50 miles due west of Boston. As such, with all these hills and typically about 74 inches of snow, we have a Ford Explorer, get about 16 city 21 highway at best. We sold one car now that we are retired, it was rear-wheel drive and absolutely a pig in snow. We have about 4 tons of pellets and 5 cords of wood ready for the winter. This should be more than enough, and hopefully I will use nowhere near 800 gallons of heating oil, hopefull no more tan 250 gallons.

[tstage]

I don't think the auto gas prices are going to hurt quite as much as the natural gas prices will. The industry predictions today are saying that prices may increase as much as 71% this year in the Midwest. (Yes, I believe there's where I be.) Thankfully, I'm locked into a fixed price for the next year or two. That doesn't help those poorer folks around me who aren't.

Tom

[AntonioFP45]

I'm so glad that I listened to my mentor back in 1993 when he said to me: "Tony, I know you like your big block hot rods, but for your family....buy 4 cylinder cars! You won't regret it! Gas is going to hit the roof in the future!" Now that was great foresight from a wise man.

Today, even with my nice running 4 cyl. Tacoma and my wife's 4 cyl. Camry, I'm still cutting back on my trips to the LHS to twice a month instead of one or twice a week. Instead of going to just buy couplers one day and freight cars another day I'll wait til my "wanted list" builds up.

For those people that pay $70 to $110 to fill up and don't bat an eyelash about it.....I salute you! I'd be crying!!!!!!!

[AntonioFP45]

What year Trans Am?

I had a 79 that I had bored out to 405 c.i., a hopped up tranny, and a Rochester 700 cfm Carburetor. Put out over 300 horses.

(However the gas gauge and the speedometer both moved at high speed!)

[AntonioFP45]

What a beauty of a monster! With that setup you'd have no problem blowing away Mustangs.Makes me wish I would have kept mine! Burt Reynolds would be proud!

Take care of it! These cars are now jewels!

[Javern]

Kim says I have plenty of gas

[Anonymous]

I live in Wyoming. My solution for high gas prices. Get a horse.

I have curtailed driving alot and am seriusly considering bicycle. 90% of my driving is conducted in a 3 Mile Radius of my home. Given that gas prices exceeded my ability to budget for it. Im just going to stop buying it. I figure If I can go a month between fill ups (FOr that remainint 10% of the driving I do) I can free up $225 a month. Eneugh for some of the street prices on the older BLI releases I might add.

James

[tstage]

James,

Wyoming should be already starting to get colder. How's the bike going to work for you in winter? Or, is that where the horse comes in?

Tom

[davekelly]

I don't think that rising gas prices hurt the hobby that much in the 70's and early 80's. Of course driving long distance to shows is in hold for now which is a bummer. On the other hand, as pointed out above, this is a good time to do some detailing of existing models, getting those kits together, research etc etc.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

James,
Wyoming should be already starting to get colder. How's the bike going to work for you in winter? Or, is that where the horse comes in?
Tom

Winters in Wyoming have been pretty mild the last few years. Even last year when we did get more than the average amount of snow fall more days were spent in the 40s and 50s than in cold. So If I dress appropriotly I should be good is my thinking. If the wheather is really horrible and nasty like it has a the reputation of being, Then it won't matter much becasue I will be to busy digging myself out to worry that I am missing work.

As for the horse, I was just being funny. People I meet often think that everyone from Wyoming is a Cowboy and that indian battles happen daily, and we are still waiting for the advent of running water, electricity, and the telephone. It has long been held in my family, when you grow up you iether work the family ranch, Go into the Navy, or become a railroader. So I am familiar with what it takes to own agricultural animals like horses. No thank you. For the record. Im one of the first in my family to not do any of the three.

James

[BRAKIE]

Well,I am medically retired and on a permanent driving restriction so those trips to the local(25 plus miles one way) hobby shops is a thing of the past.Not to worry..I now do my buying on line or from my favorite local shop by phone.A fancy way of saying ordering by mail locally..[;)]

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Student of Big Sky Blue
People I meet often think that everyone from Wyoming is a Cowboy and that indian battles happen daily, and we are still waiting for the advent of running water, electricity, and the telephone.

James

They aren't?...They don't?...You aren't?....[:0] It's okay, James. You're secret is safe with me. [swg]

[grayfox1119]

James, that is mighty pretty country where you are, all the way up to the north fork of the wind river.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grayfox1119

James, that is mighty pretty country where you are, all the way up to the north fork of the wind river.

Thank you, It is very pretty country and I am inclined to stay here. The only bad thing is. No local hobby shop. For these things I need there, I must wait. But the advantages of living here far outweigh the disadvantages of not having a hoby shop.

James

[bikerraypa]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

I don't think the auto gas prices are going to hurt quite as much as the natural gas prices will. The industry predictions today are saying that prices may increase as much as 71% this year in the Midwest. (Yes, I believe there's where I be.) Thankfully, I'm locked into a fixed price for the next year or two. That doesn't help those poorer folks around me who aren't.

Tom

We're hearing that around here as well. There isn't much I can do about heating the house other than wear lots of sweaters. My gas bill will probably be insane.

I am, however, saving SOME heating money. My shop building is also heated by gas. I removed the gas heater and have installed a wood/coal burning railroad stove. [:D]


Ray out.

[fiatfan]

I ride my bike to work most every day (including home for lunch) from late March to early November unless it's raining or snowing. But I've been riding it for years so the increased gasoline prices will have an impact on fuel cost for me. However, that impact is minimal since I only use about a tank a month during bike riding season so the incremental cost is only about $10 a month. Still plenty of money left over for trains!

Tom

[swknox]

Well guys Im GLAD in general that the high pump prices are not affecting how u handle the hobby. I'm not saying that I have stopped buying new products just cut back on what I buy. I own a 04 Ford F150 with the 4.6L small V-8. As far a trucks go its not bad on gas - at least Im not suffering like the guys with the Dodge Hemi's[;)]. I agree that this might make staying home and modeling more a reality. Thanks for the replys!

[Anonymous]

i am a kid that needs some help on dcc

[Anonymous]

you're still very lucky in the USA, if I fill my Ford Mondeo up, I pay 60 Euro! The fuel price in Holland is about E1.50/1.56 at the moment for ,mind you, one Liter!!! So it would cost 3.785 X 1.50Euro = 5.68 Euro/Gal. that's about $6.80/Gallon.
Ton

[AltonFan]

Actually, with the high price of crude oil, we're probably in for price increases on plastic...

[selector]

I think the determined modeler will make allowances for his/her hobby. He/she will likely keep a car that is paid for, and that gets decent mileage, but drive less often when practicable. Commuting by mass transit is still a pain for many people because of the time involved. It may be cheaper, but if it takes an hour to get home versus 30 minutes, that makes a difference to a single parent.

Come to think of it, daycare costs will rise due the the workers' expenses rising..all wages will have upward pressure, so inflation will set in very quickly, thus driving up costs for things like...uh..toy trains.

Me, I'm retired and on a fixed income. My wife and I have already decided that our leisure activities will have to be curtailed, that we will have to plan our trips into town a lot better to avoid duplicating trips. I figure that starting my Tundra, and driving it into town an back, figuring insurance, wear and tear, depreciation, and gas and maintenance costs, runs me around Cdn $12.00 a 35 km round trip. Thinking in those terms, mass transit, with its $70/mo cost for a pass, is a real bargain...of course, my taxes pay for it.

[Anonymous]

Gas prices does not have much of an impact on our life.

We keep one car ready at all times for wife's VA visits (Cancer) and the other is strictly about town. We might fill up 2 or three times a month so.. it's not a issue yet.

Having said this.. I combine Hobby Shop trips with other errands that take me in that direction. So by pooling several trips into one day's run instead of racking up miles over 5 days really helps.

I have extensive winter experience in Wyoming along the Ft Bridger, Green River and Laramie and into the Wastach Range. Beautiful country up there.. but you bring food, woi-ter and entertainment along with alternative heat and warmth supplies for the deep winter storms that rake the state at times.

So that is my two cents regarding gas prices. As long we can get to the station and get the gas when we need to.. we really dont care how high it gets. There are... many people who drive very large vehicles very fast while commuting to work and act as if gas is only 0.25 cents a gallon. They are the ones who must really be hurting.. or... making so much that they can afford it.

[bogp40]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TA462

Mine is a 78, it has a bored 30 over 455 with a Edelbrock Performer RPM 850 cfm carb. Here is a pic of her.......



Here is the motor before I put it in the car.

Are those heads aftermarket aluminum ramairIII's? . Pics like these bring back good ol' memories of my LS6 and 340TA. I swear the throttle was direct link to the gas gauge- used to punch it and say "there goes a quarter" when 93 leaded premium was a whopping .50/ gal.
Bob K.