Is Your Train Purchasing Rational?

I have not had a layout since the 70's.  I got suckered back into trains when Williams started producing brass engines.  I bought them and then the passenger sets.  Then Weaver started producing brass engines.  I bought them and then the diesels and then the E-8's and then the passenger sets.  Then Mike blew the roof off the hobby.  Then the Challenger brochure came and there was no way not to buy that engine.  In the hobby line of trains there has never been anything like it.

Ok, it was not a good idea to think that you could go through the History of MTH book and check off everything in the Premier Line but it was worth a try.  I have to say that owning an ABA of every F3 in the book is cool.  My real problem is that I get curious.  Williams made a huge contribution to the hobby when Lionel was not doing much in the late 70's into the 80's.  So, I tried to get one of everything he made (except prewar) starting with the Aluminum and Madison cars and the E-60 up through the four motored F7 Santa Fe in 1990.  Unfortunately he then produced everything I could not afford as a kid.  You can probably guess the outcome of that catalog purchase.

Recently I have been curious about K-Line.  I bought the book.  I have come to admire the determination he showed in building his company.  To start with Plasticville, Marx, add Kusan and using internal talent to create the company he did was a huge achievement.  I am not sure he, Mike or Williams could pull off building their companies today.  Anyway I think the early strength in Maury's company was his sets go I am buying them plus the cool little cars and stuff that had great play value.

I am not going to try and claim that any of these purchases were rational but they satisfied  my curiosity and have given me endless pleasure of the chase and countless hours of enjoyment looking at them.  Will any of them ever get off the shelf.  Who knows?

Bill DeBrooke,

If you're still interested in - and enjoy - your purchases after you've owned them for a long time, that would support the assessment that they're rational. The question is whether continuing to make new purchases is compulsive - as it might be for me.

MELGAR

@MELGAR posted:

Bill DeBrooke,

If you're still interested in - and enjoy - your purchases after you've owned them for a long time, that would support the assessment that they're rational. The question is whether continuing to make new purchases is compulsive - as it might be for me.

MELGAR

Compulsive is such a relative term...

If you can afford the purchase, aren’t taking money from other family needs and they give you pleasure, what’s the problem? But “ rational?” That depends on your rationale. If you’re buying trains as an investment, that’s probably not rational. But if you’re buying that which gives you pleasure, what could make more sense than that ?

It is rational if the cost is equal to or greater than the utility the utility that you get out of your purchase.Generally speaking,  Only you can know if it is rational. While they likely aren’t great investments, certain models, especially legacy seem to hold their value and occasionally appreciate.

.

"Is your train purchasing rational?"

"You're a funny guy...!"

Of course my train purchasing is rational. You can ask my wife. On second thought...

I've been able to narrow down my steam loco's by only buying black ones.

Compulsive is a word that can definitely be applicable to me, at times, but not always, when it comes to trains.

When I am in the compulsive state, what seems rational can turn out to be an illusion and, therefore, irrational.

My goal is always to be rational regarding my train purchases, but I do not always achieve my goal.

At the moment, I'm wondering if I ever achieve my goal. LOL, Arnold

Generally, yes. However, when I get those rogue e-mails from John Pignatelli, a random, unplanned purchase pops into my livery. Thanks, John (I think)! Now I'm on the hunt for the other road number with scale wheels.

NOT rational at all. Wife mad at me....

Once I decided I was only buying NH in narrowed my options and helped my rational.

I don't think a NH ACELA is in my future  .

My only non NH is an Williams Amtrak E60 with Williams Amfleet.

Simple No

When I had 35 Tropicana cars, I rationally decided to stop buying more......but, was it rational to buy 35 in the first place?

Peter

Well . . . .  Kinda?

Here's what I mean.  In each of my fields of interest, I have a pretty systematic approach to purchases.  In scale O, I stick with my three favorite roads (see my sig).  In Marx, I stick with the 8-wheel/DeLuxe plastic that goes with my very first train.  I am selective in buying boxed sets almost exclusively.  I have perhaps a half dozen on the acquisition list, after which buying will be limited to a few individual pieces and accessories.  In other O, I pick up a Shell Oil car every now and again to honor my grandfather, who worked for them and who bought me my first train.  In 2-rail O, I am working to complete a collection of AHM offerings C7 or better in box.  In Standard Gauge, I stick with the lower end Classic Era Lionel and contemporaneous IVES and Flyer.  I have just a few pieces on the list to buy, including a handful of accessories, to make a representative sampling.  In HO, I am picking up a few Sci-Fi-ish items to put together in a Moon Train layout.

OK, by now, you should understand what I mean by "kinda":  I am pretty rational within each area, but having so many areas of interest is absolutely NUTS

It was worse, once upon a time, when I also had Large Scale and a little N . . .  And we won't talk about the previous 3 Lionel O and previous 1 SG collectiontions that I acquired and sold off (not to mention the 2-rail o scale American Civil War trains that I built for a period layout but sold off before I got to that end point).

Wait, what was that about rationality?  I think I hear the rubber train pulling into the station to give me a ride!

My rational in this addiction started as "I'll buy back all the postwar Lionel that I could remember that I had as a kid that I traded off for useless stuff". That has been accomplished with so much more. When I was younger, I was very fortunate to have a job in field service (and still have) that allows me a lot of freedom. I probably spent at least one day a week at Davis electronics, browsing, buying and ordering train cars, back then I would order 2 of each car that I wanted. One to run and one to save for the appreciation in value that I assumed would happen. When I would travel out of town on business, I would find all the local hobby shops that I could make it to.  My buying really has slowed down a lot although my wife doesn't seem to think so. I have 2 walls of engines and more rolling stock that I could ever run in my lifetime. I still keep an eye out for unique items that I would like, but my rational now is to get accessory's functional so my grandkids can actually enjoy them. Things were in boxes to long when my 3 kids were young and at home, that is something that I really regret.

Jeff

the only thing holding me back is money and space other than that i would splurge. but right now i'm trying decide on what train items i NEED

i know i need to get away from the dc wall wart and switch to ac plus i need an engine with beefier motors like a lionchief 2.0 or williams engine or maybe an old TMCC or protosound engine

anything GE is my biggest weakness plus classic EMDs like the SD40-2 are must haves for Fenix Transport

No. I have a small budget that I have and after that I but what makes me happy, either finding the last of a set or something just totally different. I picked up some 600 series S gauge passenger cars to complete a 5108W American Flyer set. I bought the engines last year and worked some time in cleaning and getting them operational. My cost was $80 from a great friend who upgraded his collection. Got them on the track and running when I got home yesterday. Train collecting and running is not a rational activity in the minds of many so I have no worries.

We are all here on this Forum because we have a lot of trains.

I’ve always been disciplined when buying trains.  I’ve made sure I only buy on impulse what I like.  I limit my purchases to only about 7 (give or.... add a few) manufacturers. And I only model the time period between 1910 to the present. To further limit my purchases and secure rationality, I only purchase down to 425 different road names.

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have a pending pre-order. I treasure consistency.  It’s not an addiction, it’s a dedication!

I started in trains 40 years ago when my kids were small.  I started with my childhood Marx 999 set and bought use postwar gear.  MPC just came out with newer trains like the small Hudson Southern Pacific.  I just stayed with post war.  I saw no need to upgrade with kids doing most of the running and I never have been bitten with the new train bug and the "have to have bug.  I often will make a car if it is not available at my price and find building cars and accessories one of my most enjoyable parts of the hobby.  One example is my $10 homemade train turntable I have written about here years ago.  Rational that is just me and I glad many are buying new trains to help the hobby grow.

Charlie

What's rational?   All else being equal, if I like it, and I don't cause financial issues, I buy it.   That's the only rationale I need for any none necessary spending.

I admit that I was never the most rational person when it came to spending on things that I enjoy. Now after being a small part of 911 and going through this plague I have become even less rational. In fact, I think we should all go out and buy a new train or accessory. God knows that I am about too.

Someone once said...."it is a shame that youth has to be wasted on young people".

I say...."not on my watch"

         Bill

I have a sickness when it comes to trains.  I buy what I like...need it or not

Jerry

Is my train-buying rational?

Not really. I recently bought a used Lionel Santa Fe PA ABA set at an estate sale because I wanted a back-up for a kinda-sorta "California Special," but I probably could have done without.

I now have a pair of Lionel Santa Fe FTs which were the original back-up locomotives that I need to get rid of...

Anyone that uses the words "Train Purchasing" and "Rational" in the same sentence is not rational.

@Traindiesel posted:

We are all here on this Forum because we have a lot of trains.

I’ve always been disciplined when buying trains.  I’ve made sure I only buy on impulse what I like.  I limit my purchases to only about 7 (give or.... add a few) manufacturers. And I only model the time period between 1910 to the present. To further limit my purchases and secure rationality, I only purchase down to 425 different road names.

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have a pending pre-order. I treasure consistency.  It’s not an addiction, it’s a dedication!

Even when I try to stick to buying only an era or couple of manufacturers I've made mistakes in scale or /and gauge. Those errors produce stuff I resell - donate - because I make mistakes. Like buying MTH O-Scale VIRGINIAN hopper car that had nice details. When I got it i learned that some three rail stuff is HUGE, and some stuff is Teeeny. eg: Baby Ruth traditional -  post war - Lionel fit INSIDE the hopper car. I decided that I could not live with that. Buyers remorse, and sold it to someone who , I hope, knew what they were doing... took a loss as I buy used and enjoy fixing, but I sleep better now..

@Mister_Lee posted:

Is my train-buying rational?

Not really. I recently bought a used Lionel Santa Fe PA ABA set at an estate sale because I wanted a back-up for a kinda-sorta "California Special," but I probably could have done without.

I now have a pair of Lionel Santa Fe FTs which were the original back-up locomotives that I need to get rid of...

Ohhhh, I wish I could help you with those, they look Expen$ive..

@Traindiesel posted:

We are all here on this Forum because we have a lot of trains.

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have a pending pre-order. I treasure consistency.  It’s not an addiction, it’s a dedication!

Please define "alot".

@Miggy posted:

Even when I try to stick to buying only an era or couple of manufacturers I've made mistakes in scale or /and gauge. Those errors produce stuff I resell - donate - because I make mistakes. Like buying MTH O-Scale VIRGINIAN hopper car that had nice details. When I got it i learned that some three rail stuff is HUGE, and some stuff is Teeeny. eg: Baby Ruth traditional -  post war - Lionel fit INSIDE the hopper car. I decided that I could not live with that. Buyers remorse, and sold it to someone who , I hope, knew what they were doing... took a loss as I buy used and enjoy fixing, but I sleep better now..

You're not alone. The Traditional/semi-scale is fraught with over- and under-compressed items. There are lots of near scale-size items sold in the Traditional lines at numerous manufacturers that look ridiculous. I've sold off most, but with set purchases, I've chosen to keep the sets together. The 4-bay hopper in our WBB girls set and the massive cabooses in the Rail King freight sets come to mind.

Rational? Do anyone of us really NEED toy trains?

I have over 200 hours run time on engines I paid $400 for. That’s $2 an hour. Of course I run 3 trains at once so I pay $6 an hour for my train running that I love. Not much considering the costs of golf, expensive cars, boats etc that I don’t do.

@ChiTown Steve posted:

I have over 200 hours run time on engines I paid $400 for. That’s $2 an hour. Of course I run 3 trains at once so I pay $6 an hour for my train running that I love. Not much considering the costs of golf, expensive cars, boats etc that I don’t do.

That's a good way of looking at it. But it IS an expensive hobby when you pay from $700 to $1500 (and more) for a scale-sized model steam engine. Is it rational? I would say so if you enjoy it and can afford it. How about comparing model trains to the prices people pay for NFL tickets?

MELGAR

Great question. Answer depends upon whether the question pertains to the time when individual purchases were made or looking back holistically at large collections accumulated over a lengthy period of time. I think my train buying has generally been rational (reasonable) at the time I made individual purchases, but looking back, I am not so sure it has been rational when viewed holistically, as I have accumulated far more trains than I could ever use on my layout. Recognizing that, my purchases have become much more selective in recent years and I have begun to thin my collection.

Pat

My train buying has always been rational.  It just that the reasons for buying have changed over the years.

I think that everyone needs a personal interest which they enjoy and in which they indulge. It's good for their emotional well-being. It's not difficult to think of many such interests that are costly or expensive but serve as a source of happiness and contentment. What I consider interesting and worth paying for may not make sense to someone else, but their indulgence may be equally questionable to me. But why does the OP pose the question of whether model trains are a rational expenditure? I think it may be because many of us began this interest in childhood, have never gotten over it or have reverted to it, and therefore tend to regard our adult hobby, which is much more sophisticated, as being childlike, juvenile and frivolous. I don't think it is but, nonetheless, we seem to enjoy poking fun at ourselves by asking the question. In my opinion, anyone who can afford to spend on non-essentials like model trains is relatively well off. Nowadays, who isn't concerned about whether their expenditures for anything are rational?

MELGAR

No, definitely not.

Well my fleet is currently occupying a 40 ft beer trailer and a spare house of my grandparents, so... yes completely rational

@MELGAR posted:

That's a good way of looking at it. But it IS an expensive hobby when you pay from $700 to $1500 (and more) for a scale-sized model steam engine. Is it rational? I would say so if you enjoy it and can afford it. How about comparing model trains to the prices people pay for NFL tickets?

MELGAR

That's why I buy nothing but used stuff, and even then none of the computerized stuff, I may be a 2000's kid, but I still don't know how computers work

Like many before, this is not a simple answer.  Yes and no.  Yes in that I have specific models I have tracked down or hoping to add to my collection someday.  No in that I have lots of trains that need to be disposed of due to changing interests over my over 40 years of collecting as well as items acquired as part of auction lots that I have no interest or desire in keeping. 

I have made irrational purchases based on impulse buys, such as my PRR brass steam collection in 2R where a J1a, M1a, or F3 don't fit at all into my modeling location or time period.  I've also picked up so many projects, I honestly don't know if I'll get to all of them.

Having said all that, I have plans to thin the collection but not the follow through yet.  I could easily drop a half to two thirds of my trains and not be at all disappointed right now.