Model Railroading and the Law of Attraction

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Probably the second most common post on this site has to do with the high cost of Model Railroading. I say it doesn’t matter.

A wise man once said,

"Whether you think you can

or you think you can’t

you are right."

What I am saying is that whether or no you can afford model railroading is based upon you thoughts about it. If you constantly think of how you can’t afford model railroading you will not be able to afford it. If you think about how easy it is to come by what you need, that will be the way it happens. What you think manifests.

It is as easy as that. Or as difficult.

In other words, you can be in control of your world, or a victim of it–it all depends on how you visualize it.

If you think you can’t afford it, you are right.

If you think you can afford it, you are right.

Writing about it makes you even more right.

The Law of Attraction works no matter what your income level. If you visualize what you desire as if it is already yours, you will get it.

2

I say compare it to other hobbies. It’s probably right in line…or in my case way cheaper than some or most. Model Railroading replaced drag racing for me, so it’s a no brainer. It’s way cheaper than drag racing. Not only that, but my wife has actually become involved with my hobby.

3

It all depends on what’s on my givens-n-druthers list. If one of my ‘givens’ was to keep up with the Joneses regarding layout size and latest/greatest technology, I probably would need to take out a second mortgage to pay for it all.

OTOH, I can always find a way to comfortably afford a layout that’s good enough just for me and my 7yr-old daughter [the only other family member interested in my trains].

4

–to say nothing of the reduced costs for insurances. [:D]

5

A classic “newbie’s” outlook on whether or not the hobby really is becoming less affordable or that the idea arrises simply out of an individual’s take on matters.

Wait until you are in the hobby for a decade or two instead of just 18 months, Chip, and then, after watching the prices of items you want/need spiral ever higher (as they have during the past decade more than at any time in the last 50 years) and out of reach of your dispossable income bracket, come back to assess your statements. I’ll guarantee you’ll have a much more sobering outlook on the matter once you’ve gained some experience.

CNJ831

6

If you read what I am saying, you’ll see that the Law of Attraction has little to do with Model Railroading and more to do with liviing life.

You choose to see everything I say as insignificant because I have been in the hobby for only a short time. This allows you the opportunity to miss the point of what I am saying. Life is how you envision it, so you see me as flittering twerp. What you envision is your reality. Change your vision and a whole new world opens up.

As for the changing cost of living. If you think you can afford it you can. If you think you can’t you can’t. Either way you are right. I’ve made my choice and you yours.

7

Sorry, but haven’t we had enough of this issue after 13 or so pages on the other topic (which is still going)? [xx(]

8

Well said, Chip. For me, its all about having fun with trains and my kids. I can’t afford not to do it.

9

Possibly, but I don’t see it as the same topic. Related yes, but not the same.

10

Chip,
I totally got your post and I believe that it is 100% philosophically correct.
Based on other CNJ831’s posts including this one, I think he’s got a “chip” on his shoulder.
Peter

11

Stone cold groove Mouse.

12

Well, I look at this way, which is the reason I thinik I have stayed away from the yacking and complaining about the prices.

This hobby of ours, The Worlds Greatest Hobby, has been around like a 125 years or something? 100 years?

Well, I am pretty sure that the very first day that somone put somebody’s train on the shelf for sale, someone walked up and looked at it said. “My gosh, that’s exspensive.”

All in all, its a freakin cheap hobby if you think of the amount of time of enjoyment versus cost (TOE=C) you get out of your purchase compared to others. Others hobbies, only in season for awhile, or sports equipment changes, new technonlgy renders your stuff useless, and it goes on and on. I have a Athearn Blue Box car on my alyout that belonged to my great uncle, it has to be 30 years old,…not bad for a 5-10 buck purchase (today’s prices) The TOEvC is huge thing for me when haveing to part with money on a purchase. Knowing that I could have this for the rest of my life, makes it much easier, or even encourage some my purchases…

I agree and have noticed the prices going up in the last couple years. But on the other hand, if you are on a budget, you can still find deals, either on the internet, swap meets, paper, yard sales, etc. and do it a on a budget. And, in some ways, I have also seen prices come down on some things. I have noticed the average cost on some of the RTR stuff, such Athearn, has come down a little. You can find DCC and sound equipped engines on closeouts for 130 instead of the 200-300 when they first came out.

Anyways, there is my 2 cents.

13

Unfortunately, Chip, when bright philosophies and Pollyanna outlooks on things meet up with financial realities, it usually results in trouble. I’ve known more than a few acqaintances who boasted, “I’m well able to afford…” or “I’ll have no problems meeting my financial commitments if I buy…” A number of them are now divorced and/or in bankruptcy…two as a direct result of their involvement and expenses with model railroading. They thought their outlooks were viable too.

CNJ831

14

Related?

Yeah, right… Nice spin.

Chip, I think you’ve been watching WAY too much PBS!

Turn off the TV and step away from the remote.

15

An excellent post Chip!

Either you get it or you don’t. Unfortunately I think there are people around that don’t and some of them enjoy complaining too much.

16

No offense, but I’m wondering if Eeyore is behind CNJ831’s posts…[;)] Such doom and gloom![:(] I’ve been in the hobby a little over two decades and I think Chip has as much right as me (or you) to form an opinion on this issue. That “newbie” garbage gets old quick. This isn’t a fraternal organization where we beat freshman, and it’s not a police force where we haze the rookies. Let’s stop with the “you don’t count until you’ve done as much as me” stuff please.

17

What’s to get? Either you can or can’t. It’s obvious you know what you can afford when you are after something, a car, house, or model trains. Most of us in this hobby are guilty of over consumption, too many cars,engines, buildings.etc and still want more. Like guys with 6 foot tall tool chest with every wrench made, or every power tool in the workshop or every golf club, you don’t really need them all, but… You say jusy visulize something and it yours? Well I want a inground swimming pool so I’m gonna just “visulize” Chip, open a window in the hobby room, you’re sitting way to close to the glue bottle…

18

You talk of reality like you own it. And you do–sort of. It works for you sand so you proclaim it with certainty. But what is this “finacial reality” you speak of?. Are you not in control of it–or do you control it? Who fixes a “fixed” income: the government?; God? or you? If push came to shove could you not earn more for your time or are you stuck forever?

Polyanna? Maybe. But I would rather think that our reality is the outcome of our expectations. Control our expectations and your reality shifts. You can continue your expectaion of doom and gloom. That is your choice, not mine.

19

Bruce and Mike,

While I intended to introduce a topic, I have no real desire to change your mind. However, what I am talking about here is not “bright philosophy”, but rather quantum mechanics. Thought as energy influnces matter as energy. This has been demonstrated scientifically. Water crystals form different patterns based upon the thought directed towards them. While I could give a rudementary explanation of more complex quantum relationships, it would be full of holes. Rather I would suggest you beg, borrowing or stealing a copy of the movie, “What the Bleep do we know?” and let the world’s top scientists explain it to you. Don’t worry. They use common everyday language and show examples.

But yes, if you imagine a swimming pool and expect it to become part of your reality, the path to getting you one will unfold.

20

I would add my thoughts to those above but the ever increasing cost of computers and Internet connections might cost me my marriage.

Personally, I will build what I want, the way I want and do it as inexpensively as I find my tastes allow. The bad news is that I will have to save for some, buy used for some others and look for deals under every rock and bush I pass. The good news is that in twenty years I can gloat because everything I have purchased today will be mine and it will have cost one tenth what it costs in that day and age.

BTW I have built now three pikes, the initial pair in N-scale, now in HO and have fifteen years experience in railroad modelling to go with the half century of life experience I have endured.

My oldest daughter freaked out when she learned that her two bedroom apartment in Brooklyn was going to cost $1350 a month on top of her tuition at John Jay College but we decided that getting her Masters in Psychology was an important step toward her dream of having her Doctorate in Criminal Psychology. She just a bit ago, i mean this morning, called me from Times Square, happy as a lark and getting the tuition covered and the rent paid six months ahead broke neither the bank, my back, my railroading nor my marriage. Life is what you make of it. Chip is right and the nay-sayers are just trying to drag everyone else down to their level or below in an attempt to feel superior.

So, if all you can do is rant and rave about the high cost of railroad modelling, cut your losses now. Sell everything, get a pair of field glasses, take up bird watching, slam the door of your cardboard box and deal with your meager, albeit affordable life. Don’t lecture me on how to enjoy my life 'cause I’m doing that quite well already.

dwRavenstar (building a gravel pit today with less than $10 in materials)