ModelRailroader.com Reader Poll– December 17, 2003

[Anonymous]

Purchases in 2004 depends on the new products offered. My modeling period is 1955 in the Southeast which limits what I buy. Hopefully 2004 will be as productive for me as 2003 was - a great year.

[eastcoast]

I have purchased all I need to conduct my projects for the upcoming year.
I am a very selective shopper when it comes to my trains and layout. Mostly
what I will spend is from the Terminal Hobby catalog and BOOKS. I have some
things to get done before making more purchases . I just need to find the time
to commit to them.So, I will more than likely spend less, I HOPE.

[Anonymous]

This is an interesting topic . I'm sure that the marketing people can use this to increase corporate revenues . If you can work this into the consulting engineering field , I'd like the know how ! Until then I guess we can all keep plugging along .

Merry Christmas , - Phil

[Anonymous]

[8D] [8D] [;)] [;)]


THIS IS AN INTERESTING TOPIC ! [:0]

Iam sure the marketing people can make VERY good use of this to increase corporate revenues [B)] . If you can pass along how this can be applied to the consulting engineering field , please let me know . [:D]

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year , - Phil

[8D] [:)] [:D] [:0] [^] [^]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

Do you plan to spend more money on your hobby this coming year? Please vote then share you comments below.


Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.

[Anonymous]

Spent a bundle this past 11.5 months on kits and materials. Now is the time to sit back in front of the fire and spend a quiet winter building, building, building. Probably will spend more on glue.

When you find some good deals and have fun at the shows the "to do" stockpile builds up, but what good is it unless you put it "to use!"

[Anonymous]

Probably about the same. Model CN/CP and sure wish someone would come out with some matching cars for Kato's beautiful N Via P42..then I'd be sure to spend more money. So goes life!!

Al South Carolina

[Anonymous]

spent too much this year, weaver 2-8-0 tmcc, k-line H-24-66 tmcc, k-line 4-6-2 tmcc, mth 4-6-0 2.0, 2 sets of k-line passenger cars, the PHOEBE SNOW and LACKAWANNA LIMITED are back on the rails again, still need a 2-8-2, and a 4-6-4, and a 4-8-2, and a 4-8-4, need a bigger layout now, only have two tracks, need 2 more. anybody selling any of the above steam in o scale, please send response

[vsmith]

Of course MORE, it never goes down, even if i try to save $$, i still find I spend more each year.

[cacole]

I'm going to have to cut back on model railroad expenditures during the coming year because I have spent over $1,000 on HO-scale locomotives alone in the past 3 months, plus nearly $500 on G-scale locomotives in the same time frame. That's getting to the point of being more than my income, so something's got to give.

[Modeloldtimer]

I would like to spend more this coming year, but I have Four large items on back order.
(The Santa Fe Pass. war bonnet Set, Walthers 130' Turntable. I have a PTC MODEL III Programable Turntable controller. It's Great, and two Broadway Limited EMD Diesel Switchers, with DDC and sound.) I have just recieved a Union Pacific F7/A F7/B F7/C Full Powered Engine set. and A N&W Class A 2-6-6-4 w/DCC & Sound.

[Anonymous]

Yes! This coming year, I intend to build at least one module in HO for my RR club and possibly a bookshelf-type layout for my N scale home layout - I don't have anything started right now, and won't until after Christmas. Also, I have two Rock Island cabooses in the red and white paint scheme on order from my favorite online RR hobby shop, which will probably be out in January sometime, hopefully. With all of this, I still have to watch my budget!

[FThunder11]

I like to spend more more and more on this hobby.

[Anonymous]

I came in under budget by about 150.00. My budget was 1,000.00 dollars and plan on doubling to 2,000.00 in 2004.
Ch

[Anonymous]

I have waited 35 year to set up a train. I have a 40 X 12 room in the basement, I would like to do HO any suggestions, right now I am in the research stage and I cannot wait to get started. So I will be spending a lot more than last year. Great web site

[Anonymous]

I plan to spend more next year because the two x class deisels I ordered from Austrains are due around May next year. Also I hope to change my command control system. I think that the Lenz compact with three LH30 throttles will be a big improvement fron the Infocom system I am have been using since 1994

[Anonymous]

From: (Dave)[e-mail]
I don't know if they'll be any money spent this year; it depends on my health and interest. Last year I spent about a thousand including magazine subscriptions, etc., and I really don't have a lot to show for that amount. I started as a railfan probably near birth, but being more reasonable, it was probably about 5 years old. That's when I also got into model railroading. That hobby/passion continued unabated for 35 years, or Sept. 1987,
when I went out to my "Dream Layout" (15x25 feet with 36 " curves, etc..), and looked at it, and said, "Is this all there is?" I found another hobby (antique cars), which sustained me for 13-14 years. This last year I wanted to get back into Model Railroading, But was shocked at the prices now being charged, for even the simplest items, and boy was I shocked to see my favorite (Athearn) selling in the $150.-$200. range! How does anybody expect the youth of today to even consider this hobby! I know that things in perspective may have seemed expensive years ago, but not to this level! I personally feel that the manufacturers are out of control with their pricing. It wasn't that long ago that Atlas was the most expensive, except brass, and they were retailing for the formidable sum of $35- $40.. Athearn was always a good quality buy in the $15.-$25. range. I want kits to build, not ready to run, I passed that when I was 8 years old! If the prices don't come down to a more realistic level, I'll sell what I've bought so far, and look elsewhere for my interests. If things don't change, and the greed is allowed to continue, then I guess we'll be the last generation of model railroaders. As you remember, when the coffee and gas prices were artificially inflated, they stayed there, and are still high today. I think all modellers should voice their concerns and fears of these ridiculous price hikes. If Irv Athearn new his line was no longer in the financial reach of most new modellers, and some older ones, he'd certainly protest. He'd roll over in his grave if he knew that that his base unit, the F-7, with a little bit of detail, was selling in the $200.00 range!!!! Enough is enough, and I think Model Railroader Magazine needs to get involved here, or otherwise, there won't be any need for a 100th anniversary issue, if not sooner. Contact me if you agree!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Spent all my retirement loose change this year so will have to get down to completing the layout so I run all the purchases the coming year. Purchases will be a lot less but the fun and enjoyment will be a lot more the coming year.

God Bless America!!

[Anonymous]

With the quality of all modeling products improving with almost each new release, it comes of course with an increase in comsumer cost. But when I compare the quality of some of my new N-scale rolling stock, track, motive power and laser cut craftsman kits etc from models of just a few years ago, well it is a price I'm willing to pay.
Although I may ultimately spend more during the year for fewer items, The quality of the items are clearly superior to what was available in the past.
Happy Modeling

[rf16a]

I'll probably spend more in '04.
So many new things I want [:)][:D][8D][:p]
So little money to get them with [:(][:(!][xx(][}:)][V]

[jasonhix]

Spend more. Should finish making benchwork then start the beginnings of a rail empire with DCC this coming year. Some new locos out next year in Australian Profile. The year looks good.

[Anonymous]

inflation, as low as it has been, still increases every year so i spend more every year. this year will be the real deal for cash output. have half the materials to finally convert to dcc and to install complete sound systems on all my locomotives. the other half of the cost will be borne this year and that will amount to a fairly large expenditure. i need the bits and pieces for approximately 30 more locomotives, both dcc and sound. i can hardly wait, truly excited to get the conversion completed.

tom

[Bevrog]

Since I have been out of the business of running a model railroad for several years, this year is the year to jump back in. Thus spending will be up. Hope to model the Central Vermont (now New England Central) from Palmer, MA to Willimantic, CT.

Roger

[willy6]

it depends on how much new stuff comes out

[AggroJones]

I marked not sure. I wish I could spend more or even the same as this year. But, you never know what can occur. *** happens.

[Anonymous]

i AM STARTING TO BUILD MY LAYOUT OF THE SECOND FLOOR OF OUR OLD CARRIAGE HOUSE. IT WILL BE 15' x 30 '. i HAVE COLLECTED ENOUGH ROLLING STOCK AND BUILDINGS AND NOW IS THE TIME TO GET STARTED. THERE WILL BE A NEW ROOF THEN INSULATION THEN LUMBER AND HOPEFULLY TRACK LAYING. AS YOU CAN TELL THERE IS A WHOLE LOT MORE TO THE SPENDING THAN JUST TRAINS. THE HOBBY SUPPORTS A LOT OF DIFFERENT STORES.
cHARLIE sPRINGFIELD mo

[ajpaschal]

I plan to spend less as in 2003 there were a lot of items that were added to the equipment list. I now need to get back on the layout and get a lot of that out of boxes and onto the layout.[8D]

[dm9538]

If all goes well I should be able to spend more than I have over the last few years however it will mostly be on track and other basics as I am finally starting my dream layout.

[Anonymous]

well as for MR spending, my budget is limited, being a 15 and without a job. I guess i'll spend about the same as last year, and try to find some $. oh well I don't expect to have a masterpiece layout until i'm fourty.

[bluepuma]

N Scale - 9mm

This will *hopefully* be the year that I get the next stage going, got the wood for part, got lots of buildings, got most of the locos I want. Before spending more on locos, rolling stock, it should be more track, turnouts, scenery. Want a place for the buildings and stuff I already bought. May spend more, may spend less, still want 1 or 2 ATSF locos, and want SP FTA/B or F3A/B or F7A/B. Need more SP freight cars, want to add some more tankcars of various types, 8000 gallons, corn syrup cars. I'm very happy to have what I was able to get, but not that happy with how some of it runs, but I don't regret any of my good runners.

I plan to run some trains over the holidays, every loco, most cars. I still need that good track cleaning car!