JimmyB
Now retired - trains and fishing
Totally agree
The cost of our hobby!!!!
- Thread starter Sarah Winfield
- Start date
GAP
G Scale Model Trains, 1:1 Sugar Cane Trains
I find G scale hobby expensive because SWMBO has added a caveat to the "buy anything you want" statement with "as long as I get equal value in jewelry" that automatically doubles the price of any purchase I make.
But seriously I have scratchbuilt a large proportion of my rolling stock from materials from the local hardware store and bits found in opportunity shops and local markets.
In fact all my 1:20.3 rolling stock is scratch built from mdf, coffee stirrers, bits of styrene and paint from the $2 shop with the only proprietary parts being the wheels and the couplers.
A lot of this was out of necessity as I do not have the luxury of a hobby shop stocking any G scale near by and the cost of postage which can add sometimes over 50% to the price.
But seriously I have scratchbuilt a large proportion of my rolling stock from materials from the local hardware store and bits found in opportunity shops and local markets.
In fact all my 1:20.3 rolling stock is scratch built from mdf, coffee stirrers, bits of styrene and paint from the $2 shop with the only proprietary parts being the wheels and the couplers.
A lot of this was out of necessity as I do not have the luxury of a hobby shop stocking any G scale near by and the cost of postage which can add sometimes over 50% to the price.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
stevedenver
Registered
Speaking from MY history.
I spend a lot on willy nilly accumulation. Since....1986! Slow, a few things every year. then a "frenzy" when LGB went under, and there were things that suddenly had appeal. Over time i have US, German, french, Hawaiian, standard gauge, narrow gauge, DR, amtrak, pink, blue, yellow, chartreuse, Aster, roundhouse....
I have far more than i need to operate a plausible, themed railway.
I was devoutly narrow gauge....until the LGB F7 and Genesis, bought em , run em, but still model ng....but they were a must have. Ditto saxons, etc
I think with 1-2 locos, a rail truck or trolley or motorcar, some freight stock and coaches, and one could have a splendid small system, 2-3 structures, etc. it doesnt take a lot to create a meaningful stage for trains, but instead of a backwater, we want Chicago.
I fell hard for LGB marketing. Less so marklin's. Its easier to buy new trains than anything else in the hobby. And, in part, my behaviour was the result of LGB not consistently offering basic stock every year, ie i want a DRGW box car, coach, always available so i can build a DRGW themed layout. different paint jobs every year. Either buy it all at once, or wait a decade.
Part of my joy is building and painting, making scenes, and starting a new one.
But stuff inspires me.
There are many who accumulate in anticipation of "one day".
Planned , informed, and mindful buying can save a lot.
If i could wipe the slate and start anew, perhaps On3. Hon3?
Frankly n scale is much less, z scale , not at all, but neither require much space.
G takes a lot of space, landscaping, etc. and, contrary to OP, imho, g scale has the least amount of variety and accessories, all of which add to realism, and, cost.
I spend a lot on willy nilly accumulation. Since....1986! Slow, a few things every year. then a "frenzy" when LGB went under, and there were things that suddenly had appeal. Over time i have US, German, french, Hawaiian, standard gauge, narrow gauge, DR, amtrak, pink, blue, yellow, chartreuse, Aster, roundhouse....
I have far more than i need to operate a plausible, themed railway.
I was devoutly narrow gauge....until the LGB F7 and Genesis, bought em , run em, but still model ng....but they were a must have. Ditto saxons, etc
I think with 1-2 locos, a rail truck or trolley or motorcar, some freight stock and coaches, and one could have a splendid small system, 2-3 structures, etc. it doesnt take a lot to create a meaningful stage for trains, but instead of a backwater, we want Chicago.
I fell hard for LGB marketing. Less so marklin's. Its easier to buy new trains than anything else in the hobby. And, in part, my behaviour was the result of LGB not consistently offering basic stock every year, ie i want a DRGW box car, coach, always available so i can build a DRGW themed layout. different paint jobs every year. Either buy it all at once, or wait a decade.
Part of my joy is building and painting, making scenes, and starting a new one.
But stuff inspires me.
There are many who accumulate in anticipation of "one day".
Planned , informed, and mindful buying can save a lot.
If i could wipe the slate and start anew, perhaps On3. Hon3?
Frankly n scale is much less, z scale , not at all, but neither require much space.
G takes a lot of space, landscaping, etc. and, contrary to OP, imho, g scale has the least amount of variety and accessories, all of which add to realism, and, cost.
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JimmyB
Now retired - trains and fishing
Cor that's cheap - not!!
AustrianNG
Director of my railway
Many of us in this hobby (Be it in the garden or a smaller scale indoors) are of an obsessive nature - I certainly am and when I first started 12 years ago I knew that once you wanted to buy anything other than a starter set or basic rolling stock, the prices rose steeply.
But once that obsession takes hold, there's no stopping me and I find a way to pay for what I want. Of late, cost has not been a problem for me personally but while I was married it was a juggling act.
Virtually all the stock I have continues to maintain a very high percentage of its initial cost and I do look after all my stock with half an eye on retaining the value of it.
If you really want something, you will find a way to get it, even if it takes some time.....
After all I first saw Charles Small's garden railway in "Railway Modeller" when I was 13 years old.
I didn't get my first Stainz starter set until I was 45.
But once that obsession takes hold, there's no stopping me and I find a way to pay for what I want. Of late, cost has not been a problem for me personally but while I was married it was a juggling act.
Virtually all the stock I have continues to maintain a very high percentage of its initial cost and I do look after all my stock with half an eye on retaining the value of it.
If you really want something, you will find a way to get it, even if it takes some time.....
After all I first saw Charles Small's garden railway in "Railway Modeller" when I was 13 years old.
I didn't get my first Stainz starter set until I was 45.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Now that's interesting. While I understand it, I didn't dare go that route, because I knew I wanted to play with my trains, and I fully expect to run them into the ground
stockers
Trains, aircraft, models, walking, beer, travel
So do Iand I fully expect to run them into the ground
Well they are 1:1scale real things.... Aren't they?
korm kormsen
Registered
the cost has two factors - money and time.
of the 14 Stainzes i own, i bought two new with starter packs, one with motorized tender for about 120 eu and the rest between 50 and 100 eu.
about a third of my track were brandnew playmo R1 curves for a dollar per piece.
but my newqidas are all new!
if one wants to pay small money for G-scale items, patience is the most important virtue.
apart from two doubleslip crossings and some electronic parts i got everything i ever really wanted. - but that took me over four decades.
at the moment second hand prices are high.
but they will go down again, when the economy gets better, and everybody wants to buy new.
of the 14 Stainzes i own, i bought two new with starter packs, one with motorized tender for about 120 eu and the rest between 50 and 100 eu.
about a third of my track were brandnew playmo R1 curves for a dollar per piece.
but my newqidas are all new!
if one wants to pay small money for G-scale items, patience is the most important virtue.
apart from two doubleslip crossings and some electronic parts i got everything i ever really wanted. - but that took me over four decades.
at the moment second hand prices are high.
but they will go down again, when the economy gets better, and everybody wants to buy new.
stockers
Trains, aircraft, models, walking, beer, travel
Very true. G scale is a hobby, not a race. Over nearly twenty years I have spent a good few bob, but that has been well spread out, but as Korm says, patience will get you the best deals. In my head, along with loads of junk, I always have a few items in mind - a list, if you like - if something on that list pops up at the right sort of price, I get it.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Just picked up a copy of RM, where Hornby's class 800 is reviewed. 5 coaches - £393.99 
G scale looks pretty good value (unless you go splashing out on 0-10-0s of course
)
G scale looks pretty good value (unless you go splashing out on 0-10-0s of course
)
korm kormsen
Registered
stevedenver
Registered
Tac's link reminds me that fine train models, or any fine model , have always been expensive.
These are special, and, for those who appreciate it enough to spend serious money.
And, i am under the impression that korean and japanese brass makers have greatly reduced offerings, as the market overall has plummeted. So, new roduction fine models are a truly rare luxury item.
And, i think too, overall model trains are decreasing in popularity, a great deal.
Simply looking at the german gauge 1 offerings was inspirational. Equipment so beautiful, so detailed that any "license" is unthinkable, and a perfectly detailed miniature, and all that entails, is demanded. Truly the suspension of disbelief in drinking in the model's perfection.
Yet, the late bachmann spectrum locos , c19, K28, shays, 2-6-0's, etc., are detailing marvels and a give away, especially here in the US.
Now, that being said, i shall return to watching my LGB bubble blowing car cast iridescent bubbles into the colorado sunlight, while wallace and grommet await the local on the platform.....pulled by a bright aspen gold locomotive.....
These are special, and, for those who appreciate it enough to spend serious money.
And, i am under the impression that korean and japanese brass makers have greatly reduced offerings, as the market overall has plummeted. So, new roduction fine models are a truly rare luxury item.
And, i think too, overall model trains are decreasing in popularity, a great deal.
Simply looking at the german gauge 1 offerings was inspirational. Equipment so beautiful, so detailed that any "license" is unthinkable, and a perfectly detailed miniature, and all that entails, is demanded. Truly the suspension of disbelief in drinking in the model's perfection.
Yet, the late bachmann spectrum locos , c19, K28, shays, 2-6-0's, etc., are detailing marvels and a give away, especially here in the US.
Now, that being said, i shall return to watching my LGB bubble blowing car cast iridescent bubbles into the colorado sunlight, while wallace and grommet await the local on the platform.....pulled by a bright aspen gold locomotive.....
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tgood
Registered
I agree with all that you can go over the top with "I just have to have that item." I started out with TOY trains in G scale New Bright, Lionel and Scienctific. The most enjoyment is taking them apart, carefully, and reassembling them all the while making them look more realistic. I found the New Bright trucks can easily be modified to accept knuckle couplers which is a vast improvement over the hook and loop. Patience is the work when looking for something online. Scienctific engines seem to be assembled as well as Brahman's R/C Big Hauler, I have two. I look for R/C controls that have come out of R/C cars to install in my trains. The hunt is just as much enjoyable as the bashing process. I decided to go with battery operated engines at the beginning and haven't regretted it at all. Not having electrified track gives me a huge amount of latitude with my layout and choice of track. However: my main line is LGB track with LGB turnouts. The short lines and spurs are either home made track or plastic
New Bright track. This has worked out fine for me.
AustrianNG
Director of my railway
Now that's interesting. While I understand it, I didn't dare go that route, because I knew I wanted to play with my trains, and I fully expect to run them into the ground
There are 6 or 7 locos that get hammered, the other 35 locos have occasional runs on nice days so that I can really savour each time each one runs.
The two Stainz that always double head have run 100s of real (that's 1:1) miles. They are 12 years old too.
