I’m new so I can’t say I miss the kit days.
E-bay has plenty of locomotives which don’t work or are advertised as “broken” and they sell for relatively cheap. Someone who is into building and rebuilding can find some bargains there and get their tools out.
The prices would come down if the manufacturers made more units per production run, but they don’t want to take that risk any more. It seems like everything is a limited edition nowadays.
OK, so the OP started a thread which has been the topic of many similar threads.
But, he is right.
All of the righteous statements to the contrary, this hobby has gotten more and more expensive over the past few years. I am convinced that the reason is greed, manufacturer greed. The generation that principally supports this hobby is retired, or nearing retirement. It can afford to pay more. It wants a hobby that reflects its youth. It is willing to pay.
Just look at the cost of locomotives, speciality track like a double slip or a double crossover, a Walthers Cornerstone structure, a bottle of Woodland Scenics ballast. Go back and look at a 5 or 10 year old Walthers catalog. Prices have gone up far in excess of inflation.
I started in this hobby 9 years ago. Prices have doubled on many items. That’s the equivalent of 8 percent per year.
It’s nuts, and it will contribute to the doom of the model railroading hobby.
Rich
How many times has this issue been raised in the last 12 months? I have given up on counting.
I am sick and tired of these kvetching threads, as they lead nowhere. The industry won´t lower their prices, just because a bunch of folks kvetch about high prices in a forum.
C´mon, folks, we can do better! How about a thread on model railroading on a shoestring budget?
Guys,If I may.
After all is said and done and the smoke clears the finger needs pointed to us simply because many of us ran our pie holes and ask for better details,then we asked for road specific details,then DCC ready,then DCC/Sound and then we asked for detailed RTR cars…
The manufacturers oblige us and we are paying the price for our request.
As far as BB kits Athearn has said time and again the sales of BB kits dropped 80% over the years but,some won’t listen and fully believe its a RTR conspiracy.
Even today there are still hundreds of BB kits to be found at train shows and on e-Bay…Where are the buyers for the BB car kits when they can be had for 3/$10.00 at train shows? Those old BB boxes has been packed and repacked so many times the boxes are worn.
Why aren’t they buying the used Athearn cars ast $4-6.00 each at train shows?
Wheres are the buyers for Walthers Train Line cars,the Accurail kits or the Trainman cars?
As for locomotives how about the newer Bachmann DCC on board locomotive for less then $50.00? Not enough detail? Then add the detail or buy the high end locomotives.
As far as DCC system a Bachmann E-Z Command DCC can be had for less then $100.00 including locomotive.
Maybe its time to rethink you modeling standards versus your hobby budget.
Of course modeling a one or two locomotive short line may be the answer for many and limiting the high end freight cars to say 50 or 60-just enough to cover rotating the cars between operation sessions.
A smaller layout may be required-a modern designed switching layout doesn’t require a second home mortgage to build.
Well said BRAKIE. Took the words right out of my mouth.
The hobby is evolving and those unwilling to evolve with it will get left behind (by stubborness/choice). It’s human
Larry… great suggestions there!!
Ulrich: Agree totally…
The hobby is “getting more” expensive?
I used to go down to the corner store and buy a Sunday Newspaper, pick up a Pennysaver paper, and a freshly made suasage/egg/cheese muffin sandwich. It came to exactly $3.15. The Sunday paper was $1.75 and the Pennysaver paper was free. One Sunday not to long ago I went in and the NEW guy behind the counter punched in my purchases and MADE ME CHOKE when he said “that will be $5.15 please”!!! I said, but the Pennysaver is “free”!!! He said “I know, I only charged you for the Sunday Paper and the sandwich. The Sunday paper is now $3.00”!!
They didn’t fool around raising the price of the Sunday paper!!! At nearly about plus a 72% increase!!! In just ONE WEEk!!!
WE were looking at a particular model of car that the 2012 models start at base price around $16K,and the model on the lot we were looking at was $19,500. I checked the other day for the new 2013 models, thinking maybe better wait for the new models to come out. The starting base price is NOW $19K +!!! That puts the new out of our current budget at all!!! AND the 2012s aren’t to appealing with what is left, or is out of our range with the fancy extras we don’t need.
The point is that EVERYTHING has gone up lately, somethings more than others! At sometimes outrageous amounts!
ANY hobby can be expensive and some are VERY Expensive! Such as : car racing, flying, remote control cars/planes, etc.
You can get brand new Bachmann locos diesels for around $50 with DCC onBoard, and Bachmann Steamers for around $100- $120 with DCC.
The hobby is only as expensive as you make it. If you adore the $300 locos, save your monthly hobby budget till you have enough to buy one. Save your budget for what ever you need. try scratch building. Go to train shows looking for baragains. CHeck Ebay if you like to buy stuff that way. These ar just some options.
Have fun, it is a hobby.<
If the original poster doesn’t come back in here to debate or discuss, the original post is basically nothing but trolling and the forum equivilent of a drive by egging.
I guess one thing we need to ask NP what is to much? Is it $200, $150, $100, $75? I just picked up 2 Proto 1000 F3’s both powered for $69.00, is that more than the original wants to pay?
Ken
I am going to lock this one!
Comments are invited to the “Modeling on a shoestring” thread.