If someone handed you $1000 to buy model railroad items, and you had to spend it on model railroad items…what would you buy?
I have to say everyone will have to decide what to buy depending on where they are in the hobby. Unless they decide to buy something just to have it, not because they need it. Also a collector, on the other hand, would have a big problem deciding what they would spend the money on.
Others may not need any more locomotive and cars. It is possible. Personally I would be hard put to spend a thousand dollars on railroad items.
Well, that money would almost purchase the track and turnouts for the modest shelf switching layout I have planned (8’x10’x5’). Now if someone will pony up another $2K for the rest of the stuff to build the layout, I’m on my way!
Depends upon where my home layout was at. Back a few years ago when the layout was under construction, I could have spent $1000 on turnouts, switch machines, track, lumber, power packs, and such like.
Now that the layout is running, some steam engines, some laser cut structures, some high end rolling stock I’m sure I could hit $1000 with little strain.
A pair of GP9s and a ton of boxcars and bulkhead flatcars. But that’s because the MRR I’m building has no less than 4 sawmills and a pulp mill.
More locomotives.
I would setup a DCC system, a few DCC Loco’s and get started on my 3rd layout with the leftover money.
I’d probably finally make the switch to DCC. That should just about cover converting over for the size layout and engines I have. Use whatever’s left for detail parts and structures.
I think I’d buy a signalling system (signals, detectors, computer logic etc) rather than build one from scratch.
I would build a whole new larger layout. Starting with the “table”.
[:)]
As others have noted it really depends on where you are in the hobby.
Right now I’d buy two 0-6-0 kits.
But if I was starting out I’d make different choices.
Enjoy
Paul
Whatever I might need.
What jmbjmb said…
I was looking at the Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0 ad in MR. That would take care of close to half of it. Then, an airbrush and a bunch of other small tools I’d like to have, but can’t justify based on how often I would use them. Maybe that big sawmill craftsman kit that advertises in MR, too.
This is impossible to answer as a hypothetical question.
Therefore, please send me the $1000 and I’ll send you the itemized receipt.
Dave Nelson
What Medina said jmbmb said…
I’d get a few Tsunami and/or QSI sound decoders to install in some of my locomotives. Sound decoders are awesome and I’d love to have more than what I have (1), but at $100 a pop, the decoders are more expensive than most of the locos I’d install them in. So without someone just handing me a stack of cash to specifically spend on MRR items, I’d be hard pressed to plunk down a few hundred for a handful of sound decoders on my own free will.
Whatever is left over I’d spend on diesel loco detail parts for some of my project locos.
DCC and decoders,fast track turnout jigs, Sargent’s couplers, track, a couple of craftsmen buildings, and the components to build a static grass applicator.
I would up the amount I am willing to spend on a MTH Railking 4-6-0, 2-10-0, and 4-6-6-4. These are hot on my list that I check eBay for weekly.
Dennis San Fernando Valley CA.