Here's something I just thought of after posting the RR theme/era post. Thought it would be good for those starting out in the hobby new or a seasoned trainographer looking at revamping the layout. How to keep the cost down on your RR. (this coming from the schmo that just purchased a Kato 😛 oh wait that's me.
Feel free to add to this with your own ideas.
Dr Scrooge.... NOT (i wish though)
1) If buying a lot of track, buy from a mail/internet order place. I saved a lot of money buy ordering from the states (that's after shipping,currancy exchange and duty)
2) Don't buy unnecessary rolling stock (if you wish to have a theme to your RR)
Husky stack intermodal cars cost money,it then costs that amount again for the *&%%$%$# containers.
3) consider auctions for used/new rolling stock. Aside from couplers/trucks, not a whole lot can go wrong on a used freight car.
4) Don't use any more turnouts than you need. Most of us probably break that rule regardless as we WANT the turnouts.
5) Buy locos/rolling stock in a RR road name that isn't as popular as some of the sought after ones tend to go for more in auctions.
6) Do research on line at mail-order houses and Walthers to compare Ebay prices and bids to the "real" value of the item.
7) Search the asiles of your local train shows and swap meets for new and used items that "just fell off the truck". Seriously, there are good bargains at the tain shows, if you do the research first and know the retail prices going in.
8) News paper and medical plaster cast wrapping material are about half the cost of WS plaster cloth and WS foam.
9) Don't get caught by the "I gotta have it now" bug. Take a deep breath and sleep on it no matter what the item is. If you really "need" this item, think about what you will sacrifice to keep within your budget.
10) When changing from one layout to another, save and re-use as much material as possible.
11) Ask for money as gifts for your birthday and Christmas or any other occasion you can think of.
12) Work in a hobby shop part-time as the "trainman" and get things you want to buy at a 10 to 25% discount. You get the fun of seeing the new products first and helping others in your favorite past-time.
Codfadda
13)Know your local LHS well. On bulk or special orders with prepayment they will give you a 10% or 20% discount.
14)Think about how you can make detail items yourself from scratch and be able to enjoy the b=hobby more.
LNF
16) Be an "arm chair" modeler and never actually construct a model railroad.
17) Join a club so you don't have to remodel your house just to fit a model railroad in the basement, garage or spare bedroom.
18) Inherit a wad of dough from a long forgotten distant Uncle.
19) Buy a house from a model railroader with a layout complete in it.
20) Tell your significant other to get a second job just to support your hobby.
B-)
21. Buy a bunch of junk cheap and then go broke trying to bring it all up to speed!
22. (serious one) Use heavy paper towels and regular plaster instead of WS plaster cloth, or other such more expensive materials for hard shell landscaping.
Marc
25) Don't buy certain "hobby" purpose tools such as tweezers,files,sanding strips,fineline tape,etc, from hobby souces.
Try hardware,electronic,autmotive,beauty supply shops and get the same/similar item for a fraction of the cost
26) Do a little research and then hit the "yard sale" circuit or "garage sale" listings.
27) Train shows are a great place to shop if you know the retail value before you get sucked in. Carry a Walthers catalog with you and you will scare the pants off the sellers.
28) Buy broken foam insulation at the Home Depot. Stuff they can't sell anyway. Also good for wire remnants and miss matched paint that can be used for ground cover or sky background, etc.
29) Buy "lots" of junque at ebay, cull out the good stuff for yourself and resell the "antiques" in another "lot".
30) Rob a bank for financial aide. ]:)
31) Stay with model railroading as a hobby and stay away from the Radio Control planes and boats. Check out those prices the next time you're shopping!
32) Don't get married. You will have plenty of money and no one to tell you how to spend it. Besides it is the cheaper of the two "hobbies". (Dot will shot me at sunrise at the pleasure of all the wives.)
LNF
35) Try to know your locos/brands. Picking up that 'deal' from an auction/train meet/sale may result in having a loco that was junk/unreliable even when it was new and costly to repair.
36) Same as #35, when it comes to converting older relseased locos to DCC. Might end up costing you more in expenses and in labour/frustration than if you went looking for that type of loco already DCC Friendly/decoder equipped.
37) Stay away from those High Speed Metal Readers Digest pieces of crap 😄
