Modeling railroading on a limited budget

[Anonymous]

You can do lots on a minimum budge, but unfortunately it requires some degree of skill, BUT... if you can post at a local hobby shop that you are looking to join a modal RR club or group and are accepted, snap it up. If you can join a group, its kind of like an apprenticeship. Here is why I recommend a group to get skills:

1) Save money by scratch building
2) Save money by building your own track and turnouts
3) Save money building your own throttles
4) Save money using free stuff or almost free stuff out there, for example, river silt, sand (especially train sand), rocks, colourful dirt from all over
5) Make your own trees

There are more, but in all of these you need some skill. Now trees are easy to learn, and so what if you blow it, they are so cheap.

A friend of mine did all of the above I have listed. His layout is one of the "cheapest" around, but by the way, it is also the best layout around as well.

The river silt he used in his yards.

He built his own throttles.

Train engine sand was used for ballast.

He used spruce plywood but no road bed, the spruce takes spikes beautifully.

All his track is hand laid, including the double slip with "operating frogs."

One of his structures he scratch built made it into the feature modeller section of the Feb issue of MR 1980. I would say his entire layout cost about $500 (spread out over time) but it occupies about 2/3's of a basement. So great layouts can be built cheaply, but you have to know what you are doing.

First there is so much wood out there available for free, or next to nothing, you should be able to get benchwork up fairly cheaply. Buy track and turnouts at shows and buy second hand track and turnouts.

At one point I was broke but I wanted to make a structure. So I found a pill container, added car body putty on top of it and shaped in smooth but domed, and turned it into a water tank (I'm in N scale). Just yesterday, I was looking at the lid of a particular brand of ice cream (as I was throwing it away) and decided it would make a great HO swimming pool.

So there is lots you can do with little. On one of the Track Ahead programs, a guy was featured who built his entire layout out of junk; it didn't look like junk, in fact it looked great - but he was able to do amazing things with items we would consider garbage.

Another good way to get the skills you need is to join a modular club and build a 2 by 4 modular unit. This will take you a long way to learning layout skills.

[Anonymous]

You are right, good stuff costs, but in defense all hobbies cost. I have friends who race stockcars at a local dirt track, they think nothing of spending 10 grand on an engine. Golf guys spend money out on the course and for clubs. RC guys spend more on a car or plane than I spend on a whole train. I limit myself to $20 a week. I save up to get my stuff. The Museum of Science and Industry spent like 5 million on their layout. I know I can't compete with that. So spend what you can and don't worry about "the Jones' ". Also, got to Walther's website and get their sale cataloge sent to you. I have seen items 50% off. Also, good local hobby shops will ususually honor the Walther's Terminal Hobby Shop Sale price if you show them nicely to the owner. ONE LAST FREE ADVISE THING... RESIST BUYING 'toy' CHEAP EQUIPMENT. I WOULD RATHER HAVE 1 GOOD RUNNING AND LOOKING ITEM THAN 5 OR 10 HUNKS OF CHEAP, STALLING OUT, DERAILING, OUT OF SCALE CRAP.

[Anonymous]

You are right, good stuff costs, but in defense all hobbies cost. I have friends who race stockcars at a local dirt track, they think nothing of spending 10 grand on an engine. Golf guys spend money out on the course and for clubs. RC guys spend more on a car or plane than I spend on a whole train. I limit myself to $20 a week. I save up to get my stuff. The Museum of Science and Industry spent like 5 million on their layout. I know I can't compete with that. So spend what you can and don't worry about "the Jones' ". Also, got to Walther's website and get their sale cataloge sent to you. I have seen items 50% off. Also, good local hobby shops will ususually honor the Walther's Terminal Hobby Shop Sale price if you show them nicely to the owner. ONE LAST FREE ADVISE THING... RESIST BUYING 'toy' CHEAP EQUIPMENT. I WOULD RATHER HAVE 1 GOOD RUNNING AND LOOKING ITEM THAN 5 OR 10 HUNKS OF CHEAP, STALLING OUT, DERAILING, OUT OF SCALE CRAP.

[the-big-blow]

A Budget? What's that. We are in model trains aren't we?

[the-big-blow]

A Budget? What's that. We are in model trains aren't we?

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

4. Unless you know the current prices stay far away from e bay..You see you may pay more then you can buy them for on the internet.BE WISE AND NOT FOOLISH.Know your prices and should you use E bay watch your bidding and never get caught up in the bidding and over bid.Watch for shell bidding it does happen.

Wow, I cant disagree more, I run G gauge (not cheap) and most of my stuff came from e-bay. My Scottish ancestors would howl from thier graves if I bought new.

The secret is to know your price point. Heres what ya do.

1. If your looking for new stuff, get a current model RR mag. scan the adds for prices of what your interested in, then add the shipping cost to that. that will tell you how much it would cost new + shipping.
2. go to e-bay and search, scroll, lolygag, whatever until you fing what your interested in. Check to see it seller has included shipping cost in their post, most do.
3. How much are you willing to pay? add sellers shipping to that then place your bid based on what you are willing to pay+shipping based on what you know the price for new+shipping is, say bid 20% less than new. Make that figure your max bid then wait.
4. if someone out bids you, keep looking, you'll always find more. if you win you've saved 20% over new.

If got LGB locos new for $50!

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

4. Unless you know the current prices stay far away from e bay..You see you may pay more then you can buy them for on the internet.BE WISE AND NOT FOOLISH.Know your prices and should you use E bay watch your bidding and never get caught up in the bidding and over bid.Watch for shell bidding it does happen.

Wow, I cant disagree more, I run G gauge (not cheap) and most of my stuff came from e-bay. My Scottish ancestors would howl from thier graves if I bought new.

The secret is to know your price point. Heres what ya do.

1. If your looking for new stuff, get a current model RR mag. scan the adds for prices of what your interested in, then add the shipping cost to that. that will tell you how much it would cost new + shipping.
2. go to e-bay and search, scroll, lolygag, whatever until you fing what your interested in. Check to see it seller has included shipping cost in their post, most do.
3. How much are you willing to pay? add sellers shipping to that then place your bid based on what you are willing to pay+shipping based on what you know the price for new+shipping is, say bid 20% less than new. Make that figure your max bid then wait.
4. if someone out bids you, keep looking, you'll always find more. if you win you've saved 20% over new.

If got LGB locos new for $50!

[GerFust]

Here are a couple of thoughts.

On my HO railroad-in-progress I'm using the stuff from when I was young. I'll do what I can to keep it running.

COnstruction styrofoam sheet insulation can be found at your local recycling center. Natural (i.e. backyard) materials can be used to cover it.

If you focus on a layout with many industries (which doesn't necessarily mean many switches) you can run a small selection of a few cars, with minimal motive power, keeping costs down. Yes, I agree, the cost of a locomotive is out of hand, but $15.00 to $100 for mass-produced rolling stock!

Forget dcc and go block control. A couple toggle switches and extra wire and you are in business.

Buildings can be scratch built more cheaply than kits. I have even made mine from pressboard (cereal boxes) until I can place the building I want there. Don't forget to buy extra sheet styrene so you can make one building out of two kits when you get to that point. I haven't done it yet, but can definitely see the possibilites. If you place your structures on an angle, why model the back two side against the backdrop? You can obscure the view from the side with scenery.

Also, look for alternative materials for roadbed to save on cork. MR had an article about pickup cap tape in the recent issue.

Our budget is an opportunity for creativity, though it sure would be nice if some manufacturers were reading this thread.

[GerFust]

Here are a couple of thoughts.

On my HO railroad-in-progress I'm using the stuff from when I was young. I'll do what I can to keep it running.

COnstruction styrofoam sheet insulation can be found at your local recycling center. Natural (i.e. backyard) materials can be used to cover it.

If you focus on a layout with many industries (which doesn't necessarily mean many switches) you can run a small selection of a few cars, with minimal motive power, keeping costs down. Yes, I agree, the cost of a locomotive is out of hand, but $15.00 to $100 for mass-produced rolling stock!

Forget dcc and go block control. A couple toggle switches and extra wire and you are in business.

Buildings can be scratch built more cheaply than kits. I have even made mine from pressboard (cereal boxes) until I can place the building I want there. Don't forget to buy extra sheet styrene so you can make one building out of two kits when you get to that point. I haven't done it yet, but can definitely see the possibilites. If you place your structures on an angle, why model the back two side against the backdrop? You can obscure the view from the side with scenery.

Also, look for alternative materials for roadbed to save on cork. MR had an article about pickup cap tape in the recent issue.

Our budget is an opportunity for creativity, though it sure would be nice if some manufacturers were reading this thread.

[BRAKIE]

Well,here is what you can do.
Use Athearn loco and cars.You can use the P1K locos as well.MDC/Roundhouse ,Accurail and the Branch line "Yardmaster" series can save yo money as well.
You can use the cheaper brand of flex track and in some cases switches.
Shop on the internet for the better prices.
Check around for good used locomotives-Did not pay more the 33% of the cost of a new locomotive for a used one.REMEMBER! IT IS A USED ENGINE! Buy use cars as well.These can be picked up at most train shows.Stay away from the train set cars as they will cause you grief.A train set car has truck mounted couplers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hers is what you don't really need.
1. DCC and the added cost of the decoders.Don't let the DCC flag wavers tell you its cheap as DC. IT IS NOT!!! I know I use DCC.Remember with each new /used locomotive you buy you will need a $20.00 or more decoder.
2.State of the art $25.00-35.00 cars..
3.high dollar track and switches like Peco and Walthers..
4. Unless you know the current prices stay far away from e bay..You see you may pay more then you can buy them for on the internet.BE WISE AND NOT FOOLISH.Know your prices and should you use E bay watch your bidding and never get caught up in the bidding and over bid.Watch for shell bidding it does happen.

You can model on a budget...Remember to think like a short line.Buy your locos and cars as cheaply as possible..One more time stay far away from train set quality cars and engines.

[BRAKIE]

Well,here is what you can do.
Use Athearn loco and cars.You can use the P1K locos as well.MDC/Roundhouse ,Accurail and the Branch line "Yardmaster" series can save yo money as well.
You can use the cheaper brand of flex track and in some cases switches.
Shop on the internet for the better prices.
Check around for good used locomotives-Did not pay more the 33% of the cost of a new locomotive for a used one.REMEMBER! IT IS A USED ENGINE! Buy use cars as well.These can be picked up at most train shows.Stay away from the train set cars as they will cause you grief.A train set car has truck mounted couplers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hers is what you don't really need.
1. DCC and the added cost of the decoders.Don't let the DCC flag wavers tell you its cheap as DC. IT IS NOT!!! I know I use DCC.Remember with each new /used locomotive you buy you will need a $20.00 or more decoder.
2.State of the art $25.00-35.00 cars..
3.high dollar track and switches like Peco and Walthers..
4. Unless you know the current prices stay far away from e bay..You see you may pay more then you can buy them for on the internet.BE WISE AND NOT FOOLISH.Know your prices and should you use E bay watch your bidding and never get caught up in the bidding and over bid.Watch for shell bidding it does happen.

You can model on a budget...Remember to think like a short line.Buy your locos and cars as cheaply as possible..One more time stay far away from train set quality cars and engines.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Last Train to Clarksville

Can it be done?

Sure it can.

And it can be done without buying junk and without resorting to using crappy substitutes. JUST do more with less. Modeling a particular day and place eliminates a whole bunch of "gotta haves." (Well, don't choose Cheyenne in 1952!)

Choosing a method of operation that uses single locomotives over long strings will save a lot. (Fewer locomotives needed, less temptation to do DCC)

Resorting to "traditional" means of making scenery will save a good deal over the costs of labor saving foam products. Plenty of Kalmbach books on scenery and layout construction. (Available at your local library!)

Don't cheap out on lumber and track. You'll have too many derailments to get any love from the hobby.

Do learn how to make things. You might not save money, but you'll get more hours of pleasure.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Last Train to Clarksville

Can it be done?

Sure it can.

And it can be done without buying junk and without resorting to using crappy substitutes. JUST do more with less. Modeling a particular day and place eliminates a whole bunch of "gotta haves." (Well, don't choose Cheyenne in 1952!)

Choosing a method of operation that uses single locomotives over long strings will save a lot. (Fewer locomotives needed, less temptation to do DCC)

Resorting to "traditional" means of making scenery will save a good deal over the costs of labor saving foam products. Plenty of Kalmbach books on scenery and layout construction. (Available at your local library!)

Don't cheap out on lumber and track. You'll have too many derailments to get any love from the hobby.

Do learn how to make things. You might not save money, but you'll get more hours of pleasure.

[MAbruce]

I've been in the same boat budget-wise. I too model N-scale, and if it were not for the fact that I had most of my track left over from an attempt at building a layout 15 years ago (when I had more money, and things costed less), I would not have had much of a hope to get back in so fast.

Yes, the cost can be staggering. That is my biggest complaint about this hobby! $90-110 for a loco??? [:0] [xx(] Please!! Spin Again! [:(!]

Thankfully, I found something that has helped me stay in the game: ebay! [^]

You have to be patient and highly disciplined, but some really good deals can be found. I once picked up a pair of brand new Atlas locos for less than the MSRP on one (and that included freight!).

I also frequent the clearance bins at the local hobby shops. I’m not too proud to admit that I’m a real penny-pincher and refuse to pay MSRP for most anything. This usually draws a snicker or two, but that’s their problem!

Looking at the prices of the newer releases, I think that MRR’ing is fast becoming (or has already become) a rich man’s hobby. My plea with the manufacturers is to get a grip and reign in your swelling prices. I suspect there are a great many of us who will quickly fall out of the hobby if this price escalation continues on for much longer.

[MAbruce]

I've been in the same boat budget-wise. I too model N-scale, and if it were not for the fact that I had most of my track left over from an attempt at building a layout 15 years ago (when I had more money, and things costed less), I would not have had much of a hope to get back in so fast.

Yes, the cost can be staggering. That is my biggest complaint about this hobby! $90-110 for a loco??? [:0] [xx(] Please!! Spin Again! [:(!]

Thankfully, I found something that has helped me stay in the game: ebay! [^]

You have to be patient and highly disciplined, but some really good deals can be found. I once picked up a pair of brand new Atlas locos for less than the MSRP on one (and that included freight!).

I also frequent the clearance bins at the local hobby shops. I’m not too proud to admit that I’m a real penny-pincher and refuse to pay MSRP for most anything. This usually draws a snicker or two, but that’s their problem!

Looking at the prices of the newer releases, I think that MRR’ing is fast becoming (or has already become) a rich man’s hobby. My plea with the manufacturers is to get a grip and reign in your swelling prices. I suspect there are a great many of us who will quickly fall out of the hobby if this price escalation continues on for much longer.

[Anonymous]

There are still some good deals to be had at trainshows, but some items at some vendors may be non-working. (So it's a risk at some vendor tables.)
Some hobby shops have a 'used' or consignment section with lower cost items. A good hobbyshop will put even a used or consignment locomotive on their test track for you to observe.
One can still get 'poorly assembled' building & bridge kits at half retail ( at shows or hobbyshop used tables also)...then you gently take them apart and do them right.
regards / Mike

[Anonymous]

There are still some good deals to be had at trainshows, but some items at some vendors may be non-working. (So it's a risk at some vendor tables.)
Some hobby shops have a 'used' or consignment section with lower cost items. A good hobbyshop will put even a used or consignment locomotive on their test track for you to observe.
One can still get 'poorly assembled' building & bridge kits at half retail ( at shows or hobbyshop used tables also)...then you gently take them apart and do them right.
regards / Mike

[Anonymous]

I'm cheap! In the low income bracket too and try and save 25 to 33% on locos/rolling stock and I have been doing that for six years thru trainworld or standard.

Disadvanatages, can't pre-test, out of the box could have a problem & then return shipping charges . Know the back order procedure, replacement return, expenses & manufacturer
warranty.

Generally I limit my mail order to quality/creditable manufacturers but we are not exempt to lemons.

[Anonymous]

I'm cheap! In the low income bracket too and try and save 25 to 33% on locos/rolling stock and I have been doing that for six years thru trainworld or standard.

Disadvanatages, can't pre-test, out of the box could have a problem & then return shipping charges . Know the back order procedure, replacement return, expenses & manufacturer
warranty.

Generally I limit my mail order to quality/creditable manufacturers but we are not exempt to lemons.

[Anonymous]

I sure HOPE it can be done on a budget - cuz that's what I'm doing.

I have some space in the basement, and I'm going to start a railroad with my kids. It's going to be interesting to reconcile my standards with the capabilities of a 10 and 7 year old ;)

I'm going to take it slow... Lumber's not too expensive. Scenery materials can be done in multiple ways. The biggest expenses, IMO, are locos and and control - power packs or DCC or whatever.

The only thing that might need to be purchased in one lump would be track. I would want to be able to lay enough track to actually run trains.

After that... a (relatively) cheap power pack can be used for testing and basic running of trains, while saving up for something nicer.

Locos can be acquired one at a time.

As long as your tastes don't run to brass imports, and you don't plan on using Fine Scale Miniatures craft kits for every building on the pike, you should be OK.

Just remember to take it slow. Don't try to save to buy everything you want all at once - that could take forever.

Also, you can get some cheaper stuff, and then upgrade later.

Hope this helps.

Rob

[Anonymous]

I sure HOPE it can be done on a budget - cuz that's what I'm doing.

I have some space in the basement, and I'm going to start a railroad with my kids. It's going to be interesting to reconcile my standards with the capabilities of a 10 and 7 year old ;)

I'm going to take it slow... Lumber's not too expensive. Scenery materials can be done in multiple ways. The biggest expenses, IMO, are locos and and control - power packs or DCC or whatever.

The only thing that might need to be purchased in one lump would be track. I would want to be able to lay enough track to actually run trains.

After that... a (relatively) cheap power pack can be used for testing and basic running of trains, while saving up for something nicer.

Locos can be acquired one at a time.

As long as your tastes don't run to brass imports, and you don't plan on using Fine Scale Miniatures craft kits for every building on the pike, you should be OK.

Just remember to take it slow. Don't try to save to buy everything you want all at once - that could take forever.

Also, you can get some cheaper stuff, and then upgrade later.

Hope this helps.

Rob

[Anonymous]

Can it be done?

When I was younger my father paid for everything so cost wasn't an issue back then. Now it's been almost 20 years since the HO layout I had. I still have a bunch of the stuff, but I don't have the room to set it up.

Well a friend of mine had given me some N Scale stuff and my kids have been asking about setting it up. So finally I picked up some track so we could get this running. I have to admit I'm slowly getting back into it. The only difference besides the change in scale is that it's my own money this time. Walking into the hobby store and looking at the cost of some of this stuff -- wow!! It sure would be easy to spend a ton of money on this hobby.

So here's my question. For those of us who weren't born into a wealthy family, didn't win the lottery or aren't athletes with a multi-million dollar contract, how do you manage to enjoy and expand your model railroad without having to take out a second mortgage? [;)]

Seriously, I was looking at some of the N Scale engines which were between $75-$100. While it's not that I can't afford it, I would have to save up for an expenditure like that. Then I'm reading about stuff that costs $500 on up, unbelievable! So how does everyone else manage?

[Anonymous]

Can it be done?

When I was younger my father paid for everything so cost wasn't an issue back then. Now it's been almost 20 years since the HO layout I had. I still have a bunch of the stuff, but I don't have the room to set it up.

Well a friend of mine had given me some N Scale stuff and my kids have been asking about setting it up. So finally I picked up some track so we could get this running. I have to admit I'm slowly getting back into it. The only difference besides the change in scale is that it's my own money this time. Walking into the hobby store and looking at the cost of some of this stuff -- wow!! It sure would be easy to spend a ton of money on this hobby.

So here's my question. For those of us who weren't born into a wealthy family, didn't win the lottery or aren't athletes with a multi-million dollar contract, how do you manage to enjoy and expand your model railroad without having to take out a second mortgage? [;)]

Seriously, I was looking at some of the N Scale engines which were between $75-$100. While it's not that I can't afford it, I would have to save up for an expenditure like that. Then I'm reading about stuff that costs $500 on up, unbelievable! So how does everyone else manage?