Annual train budget

My local hobby shop closed last year, so my day-to-day purchases dropped to near zero.  But since then, I've set my sights on some specific locomotives I've admired for a long time and I've been getting them one at a time.  Just now I was counting, and much to my surprise, I seem to have bought $1400 worth of them last year.

 

None of that affects the household budget, since I put a bit of "leftover" money aside each week  for hobby purchases, and when enough accumulates, I buy my locomotives with that.  My current plan is for two more in the coming year.

 

But the recent locomotive purchases aren't the norm for me.  Usually, it adds up to maybe a couple of hundred a year on cars and track.

 

I used to spend about 2,000 a year but it usually included selling some of my least used locomotives.  I bought a house so now I try to spend the least amount possible and I can never afford new train items as most everything I buy is used but not junk.

Define budget. All I can say is that the big ticket items are way out of reach for me.  This year I only purchased one Legacy engine and it was one of the less expensive diesels.   Nevertheless, I do manage to spend a few bucks each year on parts and older post-war engines.

No budget for trains in the last dozen years or so. Fortunately, I carried a fairly large collection around with me from 12 years ago in Louisiana after a divorce that changed my life dramatically (as they usually do) and have been gradually selling and trading items as my tastes have changed over the years.

Am almost at the end of my 'older' stuff as I've been transitioning over to full-scale O equipment the past couple of years.

What a great hobby and along with this forum has vastly increased our exposure to others involved. I am most thankful for the new friends I made here which is probably the best aspect of it all!

Guys,

 

If I spent in my first year $3000.00 to start it was a lot since then about $1500.00 every couple of years. I cut down since then hobos don't cost much you know. not much upkeep! Living off the land, don't you know!

 

Mike Maurice

Spent waay too much in 2014 but I do want another Legacy engine, perfer a steam engine and would like it to have the Louisville& Nashville brand, this is a very long shot so will probably settle for something else

Limit 2015, $500

 

Brent

I have a couple of hobbies, and I have never, ever, tried to figure out how much I have spent on them. I do it for fun, so if I see something I really like, and the money is available, I will take it. If I don't feel good spending the cash, I walk away. The last few years I have really tightened up, as my kids are costing more, and so are other things. However, I still get a pretty nice bonus each year, and after I have handled the obligations, I will normally have a bit left over that I can use to feed my train habit.

Now here is an answer that is CPA approved.  If you pay cash for everything and refrain from credit cards, you're living within your means.  And if you're lucky/smart, you may be saving for retirement as well.

 

 

Just an observation on my part: 

 

Over the past several years, I've witnessed a LOT of people who reach a certain point and just "keep their roster level".....for a number of reasons.  I've bought into this whole-heartedly. 

 

I also believe that Quality....and having models that you REALLY like....is much more important that Quantity.  As I get older, Quantity means less and less to me.  It becomes a burden at some point, really.

 

Once you have 6 - 8 locomotives and 30 - 40 cars that you enjoy running or displaying, it's easy to get to this point....although personal preference certainly comes into play.

 

My point being that many people who see a new product that they like finance a good chunk of the new item by selling an item that they already have.

Too much, as always.  I plan a budget and usually blow through it by July. 

If the sellers of my prewar engines would agree to sell them at the original 1939-42 prices, my current train budget could be quite a bit lower! 

 

Tom

The high dollar guys will not disclose how much they spend on trains annually.They are not stupid.It is likely their wives have phony profiles on here and are spying on them.Smart,very smart.Nick

I follow our countries leaders.  If they pass a budget, they break it so why bother.

 

If I see it and want it, I buy it.  Good thing I like pre and post war used toy trains.

 

Charlie

It all depends on what I preordered the year before.  This year will be higher than last year because I ordered a new locomotive.  But last year I made a new rule for every new item I buy I have to get rid of something.  This helps fund the new purchase.  I won't  put an exact number to it but most years it is less than $500.

James