We sometimes need vacations even from the things we love!
wow! to spend that much money on an engine
most i've ever spent has been less than $300
quite frankly i would be scared to spend that much as i've read about all the problems that many have with their new toys.
although the newer trains that have all the bells and whistles and problems, i think i'll continue to buy pw stuff.
theirs always room for one more!
Originally Posted by Gandalf97:
In my case my wife and I have agreed on a monthly "allowance" since we were married. Since that has always been my limit, the budget idea has pretty firm boundaries. Once the envelope is empty, there just isn't any more. That makes it a lot easier to follow. Also, the trust that has been generated between me and my wife is impossible to put a price on. It sounds like a paradox but having the budget and sticking to it is really more liberating than restricting.
Same thing with my wife and myself, although our allowance is every two weeks when I get paid. My allowance often (but not always) goes towards the train fund and my wife to one of her various craft hobbies. Either way, no one ever second guesses what the other purchases.
I have also become very selective in my new purchases and have no qualms about selling items that I have but do not use. I have very few pieces stored in the box under the train table. I have even taken a chuck of money from selling trains to put into another hobby.
Jim
There are worse things to do, sit in a bar and drink, drugs or run around. These problems are way more expensive than your engines and rollingstock. Just set a budget, limit yourself to what lines you will collect and spend it if you got it. Are you not paying your bills, negelecting your family? If not just enjoy....what benefit is there to be the wealthiest man in the cemetery?
I think that it's really a relative situation. If you budget yourself, or set aside funds for your huge purchase, long before you spend the money, I think that you can "afford" the cost. If you're not taking "bread off the table" or mortgaging your house for the sake of trains, you're not hurting anyone in your family because of your "obsession". The most I ever spent on a train item was for MTH's Milw Road Box cab electrics. I think they cost me around $1600 with the extra, fourth unit. But; I have thoroughly enjoyed this engine set. I run it regularly, have put about 2000 scale miles on it, and have never regretted spending the money for it. Some of my Weaver brass engines have probably cost somewhere around $1000 or more. The new Lionel MR S-3 cost close to $900 bucks, but I have taken a great deal of pleasure out of running that engine and developing my own "Whistle Artist" way of sounding that quillable whistle.
My next engine will cost over $1200, I'm sure, but I'm saving for it right now. In fact I probably have set aside 75% of that cost. This will be 3rd Rail's new C&NW H-1 Northern. Should be gorgeous, and I look upon it's arrival with a lot of enthusiasm.
No one in our family will be going hungry or cold because of these purchases, either.
Paul Fischer
Exactly! It's my boat, my golf clubs, my jetski, my horse, and my pedigree dogs. All those things that "normal" people spend tons and tons of money on and their sanity is rarely questioned.
Okay, here is how it works. You put it on the track and run it, then figure how much a bass boat and a trailor and don't forget maintence, fuel and travel time.
Now look at the price of a set of good golf clubs, cart green fees and frustration.
Do you feel better?
Al
Well, I guess I just come at it from a different angle. I have set limits which the longer I live with, are less constraining....they just make the "game" more interesting.
For example, while I lust after some of the new stuff, I just can't spend that kind of money. I have 3 son's in college now, my wife went back to school for her Paralegal degree(11 months to go after 23 years of raising kids), and we really enjoy making the most of fixing up junkers, doing re-paints and the time that we spent together as a family doing it together.
You tell me where the value proposition is....in the $ you spent on the engine, or the time you spend enjoying the hobby with your significant others.
I agree with you reasoning and add to that sometimes I get a guilty feeling leaving all this for my family to get out of if something happens to me .. Even with occasinal spurts of downsizing, I have on or about 60 engines and God knows how many pieces of rolling stock and accessories... A while back when I woke up and realized large articulateds made no sense on my layout, out they went..
I only keep what I run and I only buy what I can aford to drop on to concrete from 3' up. Jeff
My cheapest engine was a $200 GG1 while my most expensive was a Lionel EM-1 at $650. The rest are all in between.
Their value to me - priceless!
I only keep what I run and I only buy what I can aford to drop on to concrete from 3' up. Jeff
I love it! Wish I could have followed the same mantra! My problem is (now was) I got caught up in the hype, yes, the forum fed the hype, just a bit
. I've heard our hobby is a rich man's hobby, and it most def can be!
Stack
I have cut way back on what I buy. I do order some things if they are special to me, but nothing like I did a few years ago.
Many of us have far more then what we need. As for me with many older engines on the shelf I will be upgrading them before I start lookng at the newer items.
The only real exception to the rule will be one of MTH's European passenger trains. They are really beautiful, but even that will probably wait until next year.
As for the high end items, that is something each and every person has to answer for themselves. These things are toys nothing more and some people can afford more then others it's as simple as that.
Like I always said, if I had the bucks there would be no limit to what I would buy. As long as my obligations are met of course.
Mario E.
Personally, I do not have one regret about having purchased the Lionel VL Hudson. It is absolutely the best Lionel engine I have ever owned and operated.
My second favorite engine is my PS-2 standard gauge LCT Brute, whose 30" companion passenger cars have just been released.
My philosophy: Carpe Diem - you only live once! ENJOY yourself!
When all else fails, go back to basics, think Marx. Cheap, simple, bulletproof & fun.
Steve "Papa" Eastman
When I went big time into this hobby back in 1987 it was for the enjoyment of three rail trains. I have forty engines from Lionel, MTH, Williams, WBB. Money is always imprortant, however, my most expenive engine is the Lionel PWC Hudson. If the funds were at hand I would not go for a $1000.00 or $1500.00 engine. I would go for a PWC set (Lionel Congressional,ect) More trains for the dollar. If you are happy with a more expensive Legacy engine, go for it.
The members who write that you will be lucky to get half of what you pay for it, are right. Never think this is a solid investment of your hard earn dollars. It is in my viewpoint, enjoyment, getting away from the outside world for a few hours is the great aspect of this hobby. This week I found in my Post War inventory a Lionel Barrel car, forgot I had it. When I put in on my siding over the operating track it worked as if it were right out of the box over fifty years ago. Talk about fun, pleasure with trains, I was one happy train guy.
Your feelings are normal. Just enjoy the hobby. Good stuff here.
Many thanks,
Billy C
Originally Posted by Nawlins:
Fellas,
Great, great stuff. Let me be clear, though; I don't have duplicates of engines, only freight!
Secondly, to those who "don't see the issue," I would offer this: "Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough." (Prov 21:5). That's the issue.
As a result, I'm going to downsize the collection a bit, and get back to runnin' trains.
Sounds like you're back on an even keel - good!
I have only acquired what I could realistically fit on the layout (and I do not have a roundhouse or engine storage facility). Engines that are not currently pulling trains (I only have 6 TMCC locomotives) are parked on sidings or in yards. I am perhaps helped by the fact that I am interested only in Pennsy steamers and that they should have appeared on the PRR Panhandle. The other limiting factor is my O54 curves - they keep me from acquiring big or articulated steamers.
I do own some duplicates of freight cars, but have worked to thin the herd a bit over the past few years. There are way more cars than can fit on the layout.
I think it's a gradual thing that comes to all of us eventually. We decide to focus on the important and discard the rest.
Best,
George
I too have an Excell spread sheet inventory that includes a SUM of what I have spent each year and a total. Also keep a Trains Wish List that prioritizes what I want, and shows the List price plus 5 online dealer's prices. Both help me control my spending and get the most trains for my purchasing dollars. Helps eliminate accidental duplicates also.
The TOTAL $ figure is ***ERING!!!! I have spent over $40,000.00 over the past 50 years. More than I paid for my first HOUSE! But less than what some folks pay for a car every 4 years. Like others have said, compared to other people's discresionary spending, hobbies, vices, etc. and my earnings over the years, maybe 40K isn't that much. I can justify it as being "balanced" rather than "over the top". Yet when I look at that total $ amount, and the physical amount of the "stuff" I sometimes think I will show up on the "HOARDERS" program.
Since I am single and my daughter and son are independant adults now I remind myself that this is MY life, and MY money and I should enjoy what I own, and the time I have left. My younger brother died at 44 years old. At 66 I feel lucky. I will avoid the guilt trip and enjoy myself. And perhaps refocus my spending in other areas to keep my ballance. It is all a matter of personal values and choice.
That's my take on it and I'm sticking to it. Paul Goodness
