ModelRailroader.com Reader Poll– December 17, 2003

[Anonymous]

I always say yeah, but it actually working out that way is always another story entirely..... [:D]

Tom

[Anonymous]

Yes, I have the money. No, there is not a model of the PRR X-58 box car.... D'oh!

[Anonymous]

Yes I plan on spending more finishing my bench work, be glad when that is done and get some track put down on my 11' x 10' foot layout [:)]

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah. Tons of more money. I am working on my HO Santa Fe and San Diegan and this year was a small start. Next year I am building a entire new section so I guess you can say I will be spending more money. I also want to buy the Athearn Genisis F7 ABBA in the Santa Fe warbonnet and in the new catwisker scheme. Add that all up and it equals a lot of $$$$$$$.

[BRAKIE]

Well I plan on buying 2-3 of the CF7s by Athearn and 2 SD 24s by Atlas beyond that I am not sure.You see a lot depends on the manufacturers..If they keep increasing the prices then no I will not be buying to much beyond the units I mention.I am at a point where I don't really need to buy any more locomotives and cars has I have way to many as it is now..

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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]

[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

[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.

[willy6]

it depends on how much new stuff comes out

[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

[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

[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.

[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]

[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

[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]

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]

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]

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 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

[FThunder11]

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

[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!

[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.

[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.

[vsmith]

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

[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

[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 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!"