Layout Plans Versus Cost

The cost depends so much on what and how you build that I don't think that you really can't provide an estimate.  Those layout articles provide a parts list.  You can work up the prices you could get everything for, including lumber, screws and nails, glue, wire, etc., add it up, and know what the parts would all cost. Consider buying as many parts as possible in an RTR kit - you get trains (the whole point of it, right?) and transformer and track you need, too). 

But whatever it costs, for that money and a lot of your 'sweat equity" you get the basic layout, nothing more.  You canpaint the bench-top green, layout a few inexpensive buildings, and you have a rather basic layout but it corresponds to the plan and you can run trains . . . .

Or you can build out the scenery in detail with mountains and lakes and rivers (that require bridges - maybe expensive bridges) and vegetation (surprisingly expensive en mass: a "forest" of good looking scale 30-40 foot pine trees, say 200 of them, can cost three grand if you don't play tricks to use inexpensive ones back behind, etc.).  A downtown full of detailed, built up, lighted buildings can run $1,500, and then you need vehciles, or maybe Superstreets/EZ-Street, and on and on and on.  You can increase the cost of that basic layout of five to ten times if you go whole hog.

I never once considered the cost.  I lanned for a long time to layout out the absolute biggest layout I could cram into my train-room and just started building.  I figured I pay for it as I go and I have, and I'm far from done and so far I have - I don't know, I'd guess about $30-$40 a square foot into the layout including bench-work, track, wiring, scenery, buildings, etc., etc., etc.   I know people who have spent less and are quite happy with it, and people who have spent more and think they haven't done enough.

Far too scary to think about this question. If you don't have an ulcer before you put pen to paper with a calculator, you will surely have one afterwards. I would bet that at least half of our layouts would have never been built if the total cost was known before we started to build.

I never set a budget nor a projected cost and, in hindsight, I wonder if I should have set limits to both, as it is so easy to go full throttle and then look back and say, Gee..I have a lot of dough invested in the layout, let alone the trains as in my own case. That's why I was curious if anyone does a budget and projected cost. It's ironic because that's what I did before retirement, in rehabilitation construction projects..I wonder if anyone says "this is what I will spend this year and stick to it." I always fail at that. 

Holy Moly, If I even look at the total on RR Track for track alone I want to hide it quickly from the wife.

And that is less than half the total it will cost, I'm sure.

Beyond the basic costs of track, wire, control systems, basic supplies, etc., the rest depends on your approach to the hobby.

If you throw money at your layout in the form of pre-fab benchwork, custom built or high-end, ready-made structures, commercial trees, detail sets, etc., it can really add up.

However, if enjoy woodworking, scratchbuilding structures, making detail parts out of everyday materials (junk box stuff), painting your own figures, making trees, etc., then it will be more affordable as well as satisfying.

For example, my entire city scene of scratchbuilt skyscrapers cost less to build than the price of one of those new Woodland Scenics ready made buildings.

It all depends on your imagination and willingness to learn new skills.

Jim

When you could use the old Atlas track plan on the net, I did, and then I went through their track catalog and figured up the cost of the track and switches.  I also figured up

the cost of just the beginning part of the layout platform, a peninsular branch,  from two different layout fabricators, including the one that now sets up in the "Toyota?" Hall, "Mianne?".  That total, and certain parts,  was a teeth-gritter!  So I muddle along building structures and rolling stock..procrastingating on building THE layout.

I've just bought a house, and had the layout planned before we closed.  I then made a BOM of just the track needed and added it up.  ~$4000 USD in just track.  So needless to say, I'm not getting it all at once.  I'll get the mainline track so I can start running, and then get the branch line and spur tracks as I have extra cash.  Then all the buildings and scenery will come later.  Being my 1st home, I figure I'll most likely be moving before I finish the layout, but then has anyone ever really "finished" a layout?

I still need to design and cost the benchwork...

There's the old saying, "If you have to ask,..."  I found a rough plan and started buying track.  I found some good deals on Fastrack.  RR Track tells me I need 265 pieces of track including 7- O72 turnouts.($2411.57)  That's just for the basic two track loop without any staging track or sidings.  Add to that the cost of lumber and fasteners to build the bench work, the wire, the risers and the cost just keeps adding up.

Ok, I am going to bite and I will tell you exactly what it cost me....

I have been working on my layout for 7 years.  It started with my childhood postwar equipment put up for my grandchildren on Christmas 2006.  It was on a 4x8 32 sq. ft. sheet of plywood.  It is now 352 sq. ft.  I have kept a spread sheet of my total investment.  I bought most of my track & accessories on the secondary market - Public auctions, eBay, friends, and now the OGR for sale forum. 

The building materials cost - $879.00.  Plywood, 1x4s, foam board, covering material, screws, nails, plaster, etc

Track related items - $5852.72  Lionel O27 track with O42 curves - Lionel 1122E switches upgraded to 35 Lionel O42 switches upgraded to Gargraves Phantom switches. Includes bridges, wiring, lighting, transformers, Command, etc.

Accessories - $3469.39.  Housing, operating accessories, Towers, Engine houses, Miller signs, etc.   

Add this up and you get $10,201.11 or $28.98 per sq. ft.  I feel like I did this on the cheep, so not a bad estimate that Lee gave in the earlier post.  This has been a 7 year project so that's about $1,500.00 per year.  Do bear in mind this does not include any Rolling Stock or Engines.  I am not going there. 

The cost was very manageable because it did not happen in one check.  A little here and little there.  I am not complaining one bit.  I love the train room.  Enjoy the privacy, tinkering, planning, and sharing with my friends and grandchildren.  It fits my budget.  It's all paid for.  What else can I say?