There are certain things that you just do NOT itemize the expenses of. If a boater actually kept track of each and every dollar sunk into a boat…well, the divorce rate would skyrocket.
In my case let’s just say that I spend several times more on my trains than I do on my two aircraft and helicopter each year! How much is that??? I really don’t want to find out! Some things are just better kept unknown!
Tony
thanks for the schooling on MPC guys… looks like i have a bit of upper end MPC rollingstock and an engine or two…
guess i was thinking of bottom end MPC
Well Tony, I hate to be the first to tell you - I itemize.
My HO layout - NOT including construction of the room it is in - has cost me over $11 thou since I began building it in 2001. Now that includes everything directly associated with the trains - all itemized! The most in one year was around $5 thou. My RR is as complete as it is going to get with just the “things” that one does to update here and there or “tinker” or - whatever. So, the costs should level out to under $500 per year.
How’s this for itemization (is that a word?) - here’s a bit of my inventory headings:
Locomotives - 30
Passenger cars - 56
Freight cars - 22
Track - 486 pieces
Vehicles - 149
Figures - 224
etc., etc.
Why go through all of this? Who knows - perhaps it is just another way to fill a portion of my retired days. Anyway, I’m blown away by the costs of this stuff and compared to my first entry into HO back in the 60’s, this new layout of mine is like comparing my current vehicle to the first car I ever had - '53 Studebaker Champion. That car cost me $300 bucks when bought in 1956. The one parked in our garage cost a helluvalot more!
A good question.
Er… I spent $8.56 last year. and have spent $1.54 so far this year! My nose isn’t made of wood, but I better check the mirror! [:D] Truth is I probably spend more than I really should on the choo-choo’s, but it’s comparable to what I know other’s spend on vacations and entertainment. It’s all what’s important to the individual.
Hello All: It does not take long to add up, approximentally 3000 - 5000 a year, especially when you start buying ZW’s & operational bridges. Have a great day Steve ( P.S. don’t forget to include the magazine subscriptions & video’s)