Affording building a layout & Building a Train Collection at the same time

Not that I didn’t buy trains. My main focus was building a layout. About 22x48 in size. My layout is not all that interesting as far as complicated trackage or multi levels. I wanted a high scenery to track ratio. I’d go to shows and never came home with a train. Just scenery items or building kits. I started around 1990. Which worked out very well. I liked steam and they were a bit cheaper in those days. But still expensive so I didn’t buy much.  They also had no features. When I finally invested in command control around the year 2000. I wasn’t saddled with a lot of engines that needed upgrading. I sold a few off and converted a few keepers at the time. I knew a few modelers that invested heavily in MTH Proto 1’s. Acquiring every thing to build the dream layout. Then along came DCS and TMCC and they had an already obsolete fleet that had never seen the rails yet.
My main focus was the NYC, B&A and a few NH pieces. Nothing else. I’ve since started modeling the Rutland. I never bought much engine wise or rolling stock till the layout was pretty much complete. I’ve always pretty much focused on one road. Never really did both at the same time. I’m at a point now of finally doing both. But I don’t buy much. I’ll change up a small area scenery wise or add a particular car that fit’s my present scheme. I just don’t know how you do both today at the same time with not just the price of trains. But the costs of building a dream layout. Especially if you desire a highly detailed one.

It takes quite a bit of money to build a layout, and a lot more to build up a collection of equipment. I was lucky to have built up my collection over 60 years, so when it came time to build a layout, I could concentrate on that. Even a small layout can result in a high cost. I am building a small, 4x8', retirement layout. I have just spent about $100.00, on lumber, and about $800.00, on all new Lionel Fastrack. Again, this is a small layout. I have not even invested in a new operating system, or and structures or scenery. I will probably just use my old KW transformer to run the layout for a while. These new MTH or Lionel operating systems are really expensive.

I think most people today, who can afford model trains at all, will be better off if they concentrate on only one area at a time. Build the layout, or build up the collection. Of course, someone here may win the lottery!

Jeff

I did it the other way around. Built an inexpensive 4x8 layout, 027 track, post war transformer.

Can't say the same for the trains, i have enough to keep the NJHR layout busy. Not complaining/ bragging since most of us have way too many trains. Fortunately I started backing to the hobby in 2016 so after I switched to command control, TMCC and PS2/3 were well tested in the hobby.

I've recently started upgrading older locos with Lionchief and Flyerchief boards. Inexpensive compared to ERR or Stacker installs.

Scenery is where I go cheap. Rigid foam, cardstock printed stuff, dollar store ground covers, and acrylics are the rule.

I do hope to build something of a dream layout one day, Ross, Gargraves,  new power, controls,  all the bells and whistles. At least I have the trains already.

Bob

I agree with many of the points @Dave_C made.   

Here's my feedback, experience with my layout/collection:   I started my current layout around 2010 after a divorce, two relocations for employment and then needing and wanting to participate in taking care of my aging parents.  My layout is 23 x 40, single main line 240 feet long with about 90% of the items on my original "must Have" list.   Is it done today, no but it's 90+% there.

My two adult children nicknamed me "Bargain Man" more than a few years ago.  For me that was a critical trait (ingredient) in building a layout and continuing to enlarge and rotate the contents of the "Collection"....    Personally, once I got the plan pretty well documented after reading most of John Armstrong layout resource and planning books, I personally got much more interested in building the layout so that the collection would have a place to operate.   Having large number of trains on shelves as trophies lost whatever attraction it ever had.   

So Bargain Man, bought 99% of everything needed "used",  all the Ross/Gargraves track, Ross Switches, Turntables, almost all the purchased buildings with the exception of a few from Menards.   I'd say probably close to half of what I purchased was bought here on the OGR forum.   

I shopped Craigslist, FaceBook marketplace patiently and regularly and bought several lots of dimensional clear, or near clear pine 1x4, 1x6 lumber and most all of the 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch higher grade plywood I required.   Also purchased a bunch of Culled lumber from HomeDepot (which unfortunately isn't really available anymore).

In my case I decided early that this layout would be built in "irregular" shaped modules that could be removed and relocated in case my kids either wanted it, or wanted to sell it off.   It took longer, but had some serious advantages.   I didn't need the entire model RR worth of lumber, plywood, track switches etc all at once to get started.   The other advantage, is I was able to make adjustments to the track plan as the build continued and my ideas evolved.

I learned how to make very realistic block walls hand carved, retaining walls, and mountains/rolling hills without buying any expensive items form the major scenery suppliers.  I purchased around 25 NJ International Brass signal parts used here and then spent more than a few hours learning how to solder brass, and with the help of @stan2004 ended up with a wonderful ABS signal system protecting 11 signal blocks.

Was it worth it, absolutely.   It's interesting that being cheap, trying to exercise patience & discipline paid some interesting benefits.   I refuse(d) to pay market prices for many steam engines and 21 inch Pullman cars over the years.   The blessing was eventually if I was "patient" and kept my eye on various sites I'd end up finding what I was looking for.   Had I had no discipline, I would have just accumulated too many items too soon and then when the items on the "short list" became available, I wouldn't have had the funds, or would have to start selling items to raise cash.

The market, technology and our wants keep evolving, so I have learned that for me, there's a penalty for trying to force the issue and make it happen.  One of the few benefits of age !!!   Wisdom and a better perspective.

I also visited @Dave_C 's layout more than few years ago, after that visit I decided to go back to the Steam Diesel transition era and sold almost every diesel and modern freight car I owned....  Best decision I ever made !!

Here's some photos of the layout, seems worthwhile to add the photos so there's some context to the comments.

I planned my build around the market price for lumber. Prices for most of the year in 2022 were sky high. I would watch price of 2x4’s and when they hit below 4.00 I purchased. With one son working at Lowe’s the employee discounts helped out. I did the same with 1/2 plywood. For the lumber cost in Dec 2022, I paid out 130.00 to build a 8’x12’ platform using screws and carriage bolts on the legs and to bolt the tables together.

Prior to the build I stock piled RealTrax for 6 years or so when I saw a “steal” on eBay. I do not make much money but over the last 25 years the boys and I have accumulated 35 engines. I have managed to grab a PS2 and 3 units but most are conventional and PS. It take time but be diligent and “watch” items on eBay because you will be surprised what you can find without spending a small fortune.

When Dad and I finally got around to building his "Full Basement Layout", we bought the lumber, plywood and homasote from Menards, but almost everything else was secondhand from somewhere.

We started with his 1950's childhood 4 x 10 layout, added on a bunch of used Gargraves track, bought up various Ross switches and crossovers from auctions that we'd keep eyes on, and gradually filled out the layout just as Dad wanted it.  Probably paid about 60% for the layout and table versus buying everything new.

For the rolling stock...we had dad's old conventional stuff, then we had around 30 cars of rolling stock that we purchased 20+ years ago at an in-person auction for about 40% of retail, and then gradually filled out the rolling stock with other auctions and used things we found online.

For the motive power, I can honestly say we've NEVER bought a new unit retail.  Every single piece we have was either one of dad's original conventional engines or an engine we bought as "not working" from online or the MTH liquidation auction.  I learned over 5+ years to repair these to working order then eventually to convert to PS2 or PS3 after we bought a used TIU from this forum.

We would never have been able to afford the extensive collection of locos and rolling stock that we have.  I'd say we paid maybe 30-40% of retail for all our equipment (and in the case of the 8 MTH big steam premier engines, maybe 10% retail), but the trade off was MANY hours of tinkering and soldering and prying and buying tools and cutting my fingertips and ruining PS2 boards.

But those were hours I spent with my dad (and sometimes my son, too) and I say I came out way on top for the time we got before he passed.

Great points and best management practices, and you guys have some very nice layouts from what I've seen on the forum and in Dave's case, via magazine and video.

I was able to recycle most of the dimensional lumber, wire, screws and bolts and switches from my last layout. I could not salvage the plywood nor most of the Gargraves track (it had been ballasted). This greatly help offset the cost of my present layout, notably the copper wire, which may have been a mile or more in total length.