Where are you spending

[Denver Road Doug]

I don't track expenses in the sense of "running the numbers" monthly or anything.  I have a pretty good idea of what I spend where though...I would say 60% locos and cars, 20% scenery/vehicles/structures/details, and 20% "Other".

Lately I've operated pretty well in zero/minimal budget mode by selling off excess.   This year I would have been *way* ahead except I branched off into Z.   I'm slowly selling off most of my N and will focus on Z for at least the next few years until I can have space for a larger N layout.  I still have the beginnings of a small N layout and still quite a bit of N left.

For the first time in a long time, I have zero items on reserve, and I don't intend to ever play that game again.

[Santa Fe Guy]

For the first time in many years I spent zero on my SFRSD. Do not ask about prior years investing in signals, detection and CTC panels or my Fun and Finance manager might be watching and will want to catch up with her hobby. LOL.
Rod.

[thomasjmdavis]

I know the feeling .. I just discovered tonight that I have 5 soldering irons ..

I think you must have one of mine.  I own 2 and can't find either one.

On the subject at hand, I have been spending mostly on rolling stock, more passenger than freight.  I have picked up the odd used locomotive.  A few buildings- a couple of the big Lunde, one from eBay and one from MBK.  Bought several "direct from the manufacturer kits" - an R50b and a trio of 8 hatch reefers and a downpayment with Brass Car sides for L&N rebuilt chair cars.  And books, I am always in the market for books.

Overall, probably 40% eBay, 40% online retailers of one description or another ranging from one person part time businesses to MBK and Walthers (those warehouse sale deals get me now and again), and 20% brick and mortar this year.  That last is high for me- the closest real hobby shop is a 3 1/2 hour drive, and doesn't carry much N scale.  Somewhat closer, and on one of my frequent travel routes, is a Hobby Lobby, which has no trains beyond some Bachmann sets, but good selection of paints, adhesives and supplies.  This year, I made it out to Salt Lake City on vacation, found all sorts of things hiding on the back shelves of the hobby shops there and in Ogden.

On eBay, I am the guy who is bidding against you on those junk boxes full of old passenger cars with bad paint jobs, but which happen to have MT trucks or some other treasure hidden in the pile of moldy plastic.

[R L Smith]

I don't track it too closely either, but for the first time in a few years locomotives were the highest spend in 2015.  (Dang that pre-order system!)  My layout has been operational and mostly scenicked for a couple of years so the construction costs are behind me now.

I also budget for my memberships in organizations, magazine subscriptions, and railfan trips.  Those 3 things accounts for about 25% of my overall hobby spend.  I do try to sell off equipment that no longer suits my interest, or can be replaced by newer, better models to help offset the quarterly LHS trip.

Of modelling purchases, I'm probably 75% LHS / 20% auction sites / 5% internet stores.

[VonRyan]

I don't keep track, but the vast majority of my modeling purchases are done at train shows, a little bit on eBay, and a tiny tiny bit at online stores.

I'm really trying to focus my spending on just the PRR on July 19th, 1944. So rolling stock purchases have decreased, and more things like FVM wheels and such are being bought.
But right now I'm working on saving up for a Dapol GWR 2-8-0 so that I can get my GWR trains running again.

[SandyEggoJake]

Ebay: ~$1400  (Breakdown: ~$500 on locos, ~$400 on cars, ~$300 on detail parts, ~$200 on books)
Stuff bought at brick and mortar online:   ~$800 ($200 cars, $200 on detail parts, $400 on DCC & sound boards and lighting parts)
Conferences including travel & lodging:  ~$1000
Items bought at conferences:  ~$800 (Breakdown: ~$200 on locos, ~$200 on cars, ~$400 on detail parts)
Stuff bought at local brick and mortar on site:  ~$200 (mostly paint and consumables) 
Memberships & mags: ~$300
Train rides:  $400
Other Railroad stuff:  $300

Sold items online & at swaps (not a focus) $1200?  So net ~$4K? 

Expect about the same next year.... unless I actually find the 1:1 Woodside Caboose my wife wants.  Then add much much more.... (know of a SP C-30-1 in need of a restoration for sale?) 





 

[craigolio1]

My hobby funds are very limited these days and thankfully when there was more I stocked up. I'm spending my time building kits and painting locos/cars. Since I'm mostly buying paints, adhesives, some decals and scratch building supplies I'm pretty much 100% LHS, with the exception of building materials as I slowly finish the train room which is all Home Hardware and Home Depot.

When I was in the less time more buying days I was buying pre orders from the LHS and parts / kits direct from the suppliers of said parts. Would that be considered Internet?  I guess since that's the only way to get them. I guess it would have been 50/50.

I try to buy as much as I can at the LHS, even if it's a few bucks more. In the grand scheme I'm not investing too much more and I see them as a major value to have around.  I'm investing in them so they'll continue to be there.

Craig

[MichaelWinicki]

Not much anymore... Unless something new pops up I'm set for the most part.

I'm thankful I started my layout when I did (2008)... waiting too much longer and I would have been in the teeth of the great "flex-track shortage" and then the whole "no code 55 switches" thing.  Seems like there have been supply issues for years now.

[djconway]

Would have spent money on 2 M1a and 7 F7's if they had come in. As it was I picked up Atlas code 55 flext rack, 2 Bachmann K4, and 45 or so freight cars.

[TLOC]

I don't track what I spend but my wife does only because I only buy with my debit card or HomeDepot card except for on-line purchasing. So I asked and this is what she says the computer spit out.

2014 was 100% building the room and framework construction HomeDepot and Menards

2015--LHS 17%
          Almost LHS--53%, code 70 track and Rail Pro
          on-line 21%--track and bridge structure     
          Home depot--9% Miscellaneous
No rolling stock, locomotives were purchased in 2014 and 15 while building the layout

2016--already pre-ordered from Scaletrains.com--locomotive and rolling stock

Happy New Year
TomO

         

[Erik aka Ngineer]

I don't keep track for the same reason most others here don't, it ruins the fun.
But, basically I spent about 90% on Shapeways stuff, the other 10% on supplies like paint and one loco and some other rolling stock and scenery vehicles.

I do try to keep the cost of paint and other stuff down by buying cheap stuff wherever I can use cheap stuff. And my current policy is to use up what I have, and that supply should last a few years....

Erik