My Wife's reply: Too much!
My LHS's reply: Not enough!
Little Baby Bear: Just right!
Each of them has a valid point. I've actually also fallen into the trap of buying a lot of stuff, so that I've got months of projects ahead of me, and I don't need any more. I do, however, still buy something when it's on sale or when I don't think it will be available six months down the line.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
mononguy63 wrote:I'm insanely jealous of anybody who can sink the kind of bucks into their trains as some of you guys. I'm still buiding my latest layout (constructed mostly from scrap lumber scavanged from home builder site scrap piles) and have put maybe, MAYBE, 100 bucks into the hobby this calendar year. I'll need to put in double that much again for roadbed & track and I can't presently say where that cash will come from.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Have fun with your trains
Bill54 wrote: Since February this year I've spent $8,800 on model railroading. This is my first year so there is an initial investment involved. I purchased the NCE Power Pro Radio DCC system with a extra power pro cab, booster and power supply. That alone was around $750. Approximately 100 pieces of rolling stock. More locos than I need, track, structures, repair parts, bench work and the list goes on. After having several hobbies in the past (Drag racing 68 GTO, Radio Control Race Cars, Slot Cars, Bass Fishing, Hunting) I've come to realize there is an initial cost then it tapers off. I expect to spend a few hundred more this year probably bringing the total around $9K. Next year and the years after that I expect it to drop down to around $1,000. to $1,200. Bill
Since February this year I've spent $8,800 on model railroading.
This is my first year so there is an initial investment involved. I purchased the NCE Power Pro Radio DCC system with a extra power pro cab, booster and power supply. That alone was around $750. Approximately 100 pieces of rolling stock. More locos than I need, track, structures, repair parts, bench work and the list goes on.
After having several hobbies in the past (Drag racing 68 GTO, Radio Control Race Cars, Slot Cars, Bass Fishing, Hunting) I've come to realize there is an initial cost then it tapers off. I expect to spend a few hundred more this year probably bringing the total around $9K. Next year and the years after that I expect it to drop down to around $1,000. to $1,200.
Bill
Similar, just a year behind... I spent about $10K last year, which was year one in a new house, with a large basement given over entirely to trains, building my 'dream' layout.
This year, far less. Maybe $2,000 and a bit of that "overlap" from the initial costs.
Going forward, probably $1,500-2,000 a year, which is about what I've spent historically too. Maybe even declining as over the years there's very little motive power or rolling stock left that I want but don't have. Some "volumizing" necessary given the much bigger layout, but even that's relatively minor - half-dozen cars here and there.
Not as much as I did taking sailplane lessons!
Yet...
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
For you youngsters, don't be jealous, it's actually the other way around.
When you're still at home, or just starting out, you have nothing. It takes time to cover the basics, like an extra bag of sugar for coffee.
Then more time to assimilate some tools, a few bucks here, a few bucks there. After 30 or 40 years of scratching and clawing to make many small purchases, you have a lot of extra stuff and life becomes somewhat comfortable.
But your bills go up too. Bend over to pick up that dropped screw at the advanced and decrepit age of 45, and you might be looking at $20,000 in back surgury. The insurance companies know this, that's why we have to spend thousands a week just for basic health insurance.
You kids have the best deal. You claw for an extra $50 in fin money, while we claw for an extra hundred grand in rainy day Geritol stockpiles, we all have to work through cash flow issues.
But you kids have the energy and physical ability to ENJOY that extra cash a lot more than us old-timers, so when we scare up a few spare coins, we have to limit our excitement to avoid rupturing overstrained aortas. Our idea of a mad money celebration is sneaking in an extra cigar after dinner, with the lights turned off to save a few pennies on the electric bill, so we can splurge on a two pack of Kadee #58's.
Kids rule the orld, us old guys are just trying to hang on, fingernails folding back as we loose our grips on power and the gray fog of senility creeps in.
Why, back in ought four, I remember when ballast still cost a nickle a ton and....hmmm forgot what I was going to say...
John
Too much........Although the amount is starting to shrink since I purchased the <cough> Trans Am.....The insurance is terrible, not to mention the fuel economy......
You all thought I drove a Mustang, right?
Dave
On this incarnation of my layout I've already spent over $2,000 and it's only been 7 months.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Well..If you count the building it self, and then the up-grade of the Trainroom within the building (heating, lighting, insulation, ceiling, moving windows, doors and the like), it's way more than I would have anticipated!
When I was able, I spent my coaching checks (just under 4K per year x 8 years) on the Trainroom up-grades, benchwork, backdrops, lighting, tools, backshop, paintshop, rolling stock, locos, structures, track, turnouts....... Basically I have the hobby shop (most everything I need to put it all together) on the shelves in the next room. Thus, projects to last a life time! And I haven't spent a lot for a number of years now.
With that said; I do spend a few hundred (probably around $300 - $400) per year on "stuff". Mainly drywall mud, paint, adhesive, some extra turnouts, scenic details....that sort of thing. And, of course, occasionally some rolling stock or a loco I just have to have!
It's much cheaper than getting drunk and landing in jail....
cwclark wrote: Tracklayer wrote: cwclark wrote: If i had to guess i'd say about $1,200 to $1,500 a year...it's slowed down a bit since most of the expensive stuff is done so far....the best part is, my wife usually picks up the tap...it's her way of keeping me at home and out of the beer joints.... ;) chuck Okay Chuck. I see how you are. You reply to my post about how much money goes into the hobby each year but not my e-mail asking about the caboose antenna last week... Some brother railroader you are - and it was a Southern Pacific caboose too... That's okay. Be that way. Tracklayer marc, Give me a break brother!...I did reply to your e-mail yesterday....My home computer was in the shop the last two weeks getting a new hard drive installed and the only computer I have access to is at my work and they block out e-mail sites....I just got your e-mail yesterday and i did reply...sorry,...by the way...did you get my reply yet?...chuck
Tracklayer wrote: cwclark wrote: If i had to guess i'd say about $1,200 to $1,500 a year...it's slowed down a bit since most of the expensive stuff is done so far....the best part is, my wife usually picks up the tap...it's her way of keeping me at home and out of the beer joints.... ;) chuck Okay Chuck. I see how you are. You reply to my post about how much money goes into the hobby each year but not my e-mail asking about the caboose antenna last week... Some brother railroader you are - and it was a Southern Pacific caboose too... That's okay. Be that way. Tracklayer
cwclark wrote: If i had to guess i'd say about $1,200 to $1,500 a year...it's slowed down a bit since most of the expensive stuff is done so far....the best part is, my wife usually picks up the tap...it's her way of keeping me at home and out of the beer joints.... ;) chuck
If i had to guess i'd say about $1,200 to $1,500 a year...it's slowed down a bit since most of the expensive stuff is done so far....the best part is, my wife usually picks up the tap...it's her way of keeping me at home and out of the beer joints.... ;) chuck
Okay Chuck. I see how you are. You reply to my post about how much money goes into the hobby each year but not my e-mail asking about the caboose antenna last week... Some brother railroader you are - and it was a Southern Pacific caboose too... That's okay. Be that way.
Tracklayer
marc,
Give me a break brother!...I did reply to your e-mail yesterday....My home computer was in the shop the last two weeks getting a new hard drive installed and the only computer I have access to is at my work and they block out e-mail sites....I just got your e-mail yesterday and i did reply...sorry,...by the way...did you get my reply yet?...chuck
Hi Chuck. No, no e-mail yet, but then, my e-mail service isn't the best in the world either... It's okay brother. Don't worry about it. I was just having a little fun with you. The fact is I did find out what the original Atlas antenna looked like and I didn't think much of it, so I made my own that looks like the dish style. Thanks just the same. I understand your problem. We'll be talking to you.
Regards,
Tracklayer (Mark)
I dont know how much over 3 decades.
I think it's somewhere around 1200 a year give or take a little bit.
I do know that I am approaching the limits of my rolling stock and engines and less money will be spent on these. As a good model railroader I will always buy engines and cars.
The last 8 years or so I have been fairly consistent with a few ouchie big ticket items along the way totally destroying the budget and requiring additional expenditure and labor in the salt mines to pay off the indulgences. Spouse holds the keys to joy or pain so one must plan carefully.
I might acquire a specific brass engine one of these days but it is so expensive in the 4 figures that Broadway Limited or someone else is likely to produce it for a few hundred complete with DCC and Sound before I finish saving for the big brass. I dont see the cost of the brass justified anyhow. The money is best used towards paying off Debt.
I see money as a tool and make plans ahead of time. Unfortunately that means scanning PDF files issued by RTR manufactors months before the items are due to hit the street.
One advantage is sometimes prices drop on that limited run locomotive and you could probably get two for the retail cost of one 6-12 months of waiting. But you gotta be absolutely ready to get a copy on sight.
It is nice to have just one trainset to enjoy or a 20,000 dollar home layout. There are many hobbies that costs money each month.
I still say that running trains keeps one out of the ER and other trouble like the street. That is priceless.
We ruthlessly cut down on big box retailers and other unnecessary expenditures in favor of the small stores like the Hobby Shop. Where I live there are alot of people who would go to a local fast food joint to get dinner on thier way home from work. I say fix dinner fresh in the kitchen and save the money. That is how we do it anyways.
I don't have an exact figure but I estimate somewhere around $6,000-7,000 this year. Included in this is about $1500 for DCC system and decoders. I expect to spend about another $1,000 by year's end. Next year should be less but I don't have a set budget.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
Over the course of the summer here in duluth I can easily spend 2+ grand on model trains.. I just choose not to. Not that I don't want to but for the sake that I need a lot of that money. But over a year I will spend maybe 2000 dollars. I've got a quite a few shows I attend!
Happy railroading
James
Too much,
Too frightened to add up the numbers. I'd say more now that manufacturers seem to run batches and you have to grab it while you can or potentially miss out.
Nige.
High 6 figures.
Oh, wait, we own an internet hobbyshop!
That might have something to do with it.
www.wig-wag-trains.com
Too much or too little, I never seem to know. Mondo hit the nail on the head about a few points. If my wife complains (which she RARELY does) about my $100-$300 per month spending, she quickly realizes that it could be worse: I could be spending that much chasing a lil' white ball around a nicely manicured lawn, gambling or worse, at a bar. The advantages are SO many, but as mondo said, she always knows where I am, we have our alone time (VERY important in a marriage), and the lil' ones LOVE it (gives her more alone time when I am building/working on it with them). Of note, it does help that I sometimes wait to make "big" purchases until after she buys a pair of shoes, a dress, etc... Hard for her to complain then!!!
Brian
I have been in N-Scale since 1968-1969. One does not realize ones accumulation until you sit down and do a replacement cost for insurance. A Passenger Station kit that cost $33.00 in 1983 now has a replacement cost of $69.00 in 2006. Some of your older engines may not be as good as the ones made today, however, consider that you can not replace some of them since they are no longer made.
My average would be approximately $800.00 to $1,000.00 per year.
Don't feel bad. I keep track of all my purchases in Quicken om my computer and I spend about $3000.00 a year. I was shocked the first time I checked but what the heck. We all have our weaknesses. Mine is model railroading. I do expect it to decline a bit after the layout is complete but then I may start over as many have. There's nothing like a few good operating sessions to point out the flaws.
Daverailrd
Sorry to say but nothing. Several trips to the Hobby Shops and 6 or 8 Train Shows have left this fixed income person in shock. The prices have gone way beyond what we old folks can afford.. Be putting money into finishing the basemen so as tohave a room for my layout (N Scale). Gess I'll have lots of room left over as I will use what I presently have in boxes. Maybe I can get on Deal or No Deal.
Since December 1, 2005, I’ve spent exactly $2466.99 in a newbie start-up mode, and that covers everything down to Exacto blades. I keep track on a spreadsheet because that way I can defend myself if my wife makes an uninformed general statement like “you’re spending too much on trains.”
It’s certainly a lot less than I’ve spent over the years collecting guitars. Since she’s hooked on QVC and HSN or whatever, I don’t catch too much flack.
None yet..... I just started and will probably spend about $450 to $600 on the Loco, rolling stock, track and power pack. Do you guys buy direct from the manufacturer (Atlasrr.com, Walthers.com, etc...) or do you shop at your local dealers?