I have not had a layout since I was a kid, now that I’ve recently retired I want to get back into the hobby. This may be a dumb question but can anyone give me an idea what a person should plan as a starting budget to build a model railroad these days. Thanks.
PJ Buck - [#welcome] back to the most fascinating hobby! It is quite difficult to give a recommendation for a budget you´ll need to get a good start with. It could range from something around, say, 500 $ to any multiple of that, depending on a number of things, like scale, DC or DCC control, space etc.
My best recommendation would be to do a lot of reading before spending any sizable amount, just to develop a taste of what´s available in the market and what can be done nowadays, as the hobby has changed quite a bit over the last decades.
A good source for info is the MR magazine and the books our host Kalmbach publishes - take a look into the shop section on this page.
I’m not saying this is the only way, but I’d suggest you decide how much room you have to dedicate to your layout, then go down to your local hobby shop and decide on what scale seems to fit best for you…then take it from there.
The first thing I learned about this hobby is that you can spend just about as much as you want on the high end; one famous fellow walked into our local shop and spent $65,000 (sixty-five thousand) in 55 minutes (fifty-five). Yikes!
Good luck and welcome!
Here are some quick suggestions…
[1] Special Issues – 102 Realistic Track Plans and 43 Track Plans from the Experts will give you insight into what kind of layout can fit into you available room space for a given scale, how to convert trackplans if you go from HO to N Scale to fit more layout into that given space, etc. Model Trains Step by Step shows you how to construct a layout (as will many YouTube videos).
[2] Atlas Track Layouts – will give you a starting point of what track will cost (turnouts, flextrack, sectional track), prices of a better a quality engine, etc.
[3] Articles & Videos – here at this above Kalmbach link are complimentary.
P.S.: If you download a Kalmbach PDF-file and it has an ASRX extension - rename the extension to PDF and your PDF-reader will be happy once again. Also, if you use the Firefox browser plug-in, Video Download Helper, you can easily download videos here, and at YouTube, for later offline viewing.
Take your good 'ole time planning & researching about where you want to take your layout before shelling out any dollars.
Hi,
I’m 67, been playing with trains since I was 8 or 9. I’ve had Lionel O scale, did a layout in N scale, and the rest of the time in HO scale.
The previous posters gave some really good guidance, and may I add to it…
First, figure out what kind of space you will dedicate to the layout. Then, go to a hobby shop - a train store - and learn about your choices in gauge. They range from the large standard gauge down to N scale - the smallest most model railroaders work with (there is smaller stuff however). The majority of scale model railroaders are into HO, which is roughly about 1/8 inch to a foot of the real world. HO offers the largest selection and the prices range from cheap to expensive. You will find that “cheap” is a waste of money, and expensive stuff may be too much for entry level.
Once you determine space available and scale, buy a Kalmbach “Primer” for that scale (i.e. HO scale Primer), which will give you a pretty thorough overview of what its all about. From there, and with the help of us folks on this forum, and the local hobby shop, you can start selecting “stuff”. One point I wish to make, the most important things about a model railroad (in my opinion) is good solid benchwork, excellent track laying, and flawless wiring. Put your time and effort and money into that, for you can buy the locos and cars and buildings and such later.
How much will it cost… for an 11x15 two level layout I’ve got about $500 in benchwork, $1000 in roadbed, track, turnouts (track switches), and the wiring and electronics about $1500. Like most long time model railroaders, I have way too many locomotives and cars, but figure a decent diesel loco goes for about $75 - $300, and cars from $10 to $75 or so. When you get to this point, take a good look at what Ebay has to offer. You can find some hard to get stuff there at often very reasonable prices.
Believe it or not, this is a fairly common question, and the answer really depends on what you mean by “getting started” You can get a train set with a simple oval of track and a basic powerpack for less than $200, and you’d be off and running. If you’re intending to spend some serious time in the hobby, this approach won’t serve you very well.
I would recommend that you spend $50 on a subscription to MR and a basic book or two and spend some time reading and researching what you’d like to do. Start putting a couple of bucks a month into a savings account, and you’ll have a nice little nest egg by the time you’re ready to go.
Good advice so far. However, electronics has come a long way and is now able to play a significant part in or Model Railroad hobby. We can have almost everything that we wished for on a layout when we were kids just dreaming about it.
First up is sound in the locomotives. HO is about the smallest scale that you can have descent sound in. A DCC control system is best for that.
Second is Signals. It is now possible to put in a working signal system. But it also takes a DCC control system plus a dedicated computer for an excellent system.
Third is animated signs. These are real easy and nothing special is needed. They can even run off of batteries.
I guess one thing that you should decide, is if you want a large layout that will take some time to build and get right, or a small switching type layout that can be highly detailed, right down to some of the workmen holding working lanterns.
Along with getting some books to start with, Model Railroader also now has a 75 year collection of all their Model Railroader magazines from the beginning through 2009. The DVD set is $200, which is a significant investment, but they also contain just about everything that you are going to need to know. You just need to determine if it is going to be worth it to you.
Welcome to the forums.
A lot of good advice above. What I did while I was unable to work on a layout, was to set aside a certain sum each week. If I saw something I really wanted, I’d get it. When I could, I’d build a kit, so I would have the enjoyment of accomplishment. You are now at a stage where you will need to make an initial cash layout to get you up and running. As stated above, do some reasearch and see what you have for space, what scale you want to work in and how you are going to build your layout.
After you have made some basic decisions. including your basic track plan, get the material for your benchwork, get it up and get your track down. If you are planning grades, etc, be sure to build them in. Get things done so you can get some trains running. You may be on plywood central, but you can run trains when you want. You need not have all your trackwork done, just your mainline so trains will go. It is a good idea to put in the turnouts off the mainline, so that you don’t have to cut them in later.
Now you are at a point where you can run a train. If you have initial money available to start buying scenery and buildings, get some and start enjoying those aspects of the hobby. As more funds come available you can buy more rolling stock, scenic materials and buildings.
Remember a layout is never truely finished, there are always things that can be added, improved and as many do, make changes, up to and including tearing down entire layouts and starting over.
Have fun,
Richard
Sorry to interupt, but how do you do that where you have a link in your post and it shows up as descriptive text you can select to go to the link?
Highlight the text with your mouse. On the toolbars above the text window, you will see two icons that look like links of chain, one whole, one broken. Click on the whole one (if you hover your mouth over it for a second, it with say “insert/edit link”. Follow directions – you will need the URL address of the place to which you are linking. Also, note that most of us would prefer to see the link in a new window rather than navigating away from this site.
I’d offer a caution to the notion that you should start buying things you want. Most of us eventually want our roads to have a unified theme – that is, a certain railroad (real or fictitious), a certain location, and a certain era. You should decide on these before you start acquiring any structures, locos or rolling stock. Hold off on any acquisitions until you have made these decisions, to avoid buying things that won’t fit your theme later. If there’s something you’ve just got to have, then that can help you select your theme.
The DC vs. DCC decision should probably be made early as well. Most locos sold today are “DCC Ready” if not actual DCC, and can be easily converted. This can save you some expense up front. Adding sound is a tougher proposition, and not for the faint of heart or electronically challenged.
Track acquisitions should probably wait until you have at least a rough track plan, to avoid wasting money.
I’ve heard a figure of $50 / square foot, not including structures and locos / rolling stock, thrown around. So a 4 x 8 layout would set you back $1600. That may not be too far off, but you don’t need to spend it all at once. Besides, if you’re setting money aside during the design phase, you will have money available when you’re ready to build.
This would be my guesses, based on my own experience, for an L-shaped point to point layout made of a piece of plywood ripped in half and placed end to end, and assuming HO scale:
Benchwork and roadbed: $250, including fasteners.
Track: $250, depending greatly on how many turnouts you have, and whether you will operate them by hand or using electric switch machines (note that you can start manually and upgrade).
A Good (not top) quality loco: $125; add $50 for DCC and sound.
Rolling Stock: Figure an average of $15 per car for decent quality stuff.
DC Powerpack: $60 – OR – Starter DCC Set: $300, no
Hi again,
CTValleyRR brought up a point that makes excellent sense, but a newcomer to the hobby will often go against it…
Buying “stuff” before you are sure what you are trying to emulate on the layout can be pretty wasteful. Yet, I suspect most all of us have done it when we started out. In example, buying locos from different RRs or from different time periods (i.e. steam locos and modern diesels) is a common regret once a model railroader gets a few “miles” in him (or her).
The same goes for buying cheap track/cars/etc. It seems like a good deal at first, but often later on it was a waste of money.
Now there are folks out there that are OK with the above, but a lot of long term MRs will agree with trying to hold off until you really know what you want to ultimately accomplish.
After writing all this, I have to add… “easy to say, hard to do”
A starting budget? LOL
Figure how much you can spend without going bankrupt and then budget one dollar less for your model raiload.
OK, bad joke. But, seriously, model railroading can become a big black hole from a budgeting standpoint if you are not careful.
Eight years ago, I set an initial budget of X dollars. Eight years later, I have spent X10. Yep, ten times what I had originally budgeted.
I started with a 4’ x 8’ sheet on plywood on legs, then tripled it to 12’ x 8’. Today, it is 42’ x 25’.
I started in DC, then upgraded to DCC, then upgraded to DCC wireless.
I started with no sound, then upgraded to sound.
I started freelance buying every road name that could be found on the prototype. Then, I switched to prototype and had to buy all new roadnames.
Landscaping costs alone now exceed my original budget.
So here is my advice. Read up before you buy anything. Familairize yourself with the hobby. Decide how big you will possibly build your layout even if you never do. Decide between DC and DCC, tethered throttles verus wireless. Sound versus no sound. Freelance versus prototype. Then, start small and prepare to grow. I actually did all of this over an 8-year period, so the sticker shock was somewhat under control. But, be careful not to go into layout building on a piecemeal basis because that can lead to its own set of unique problems.
Rich
(to) St. Francis Consolidated RR – What CTValleyRR most-excellently said. The most important thing is to link to a “new window” so you can still remain in your original thread after reading the other thread reference.
Cut and paste the link into your Reply, then type your own words over the link while keeping it underlined.
Rich
Hi Buck,
even your name is a pun, but the seventh layout in STARTER TRACK PLANS published by Kalmbach is built for 500 bucks. You just have to scroll down a bit.; it is the second layout on the preview.
Paul
An easier way is to just use the tools on the site intended for this purpose.
Type your text, then select the portion you want to be a link. Next click the “link” button in the header. It looks like chain links and only is available when you have text selected.
This opens up a new box where you past in the link (URL). Scroll down in this box to select the “Insert” button.
No muss, no fuss.
Mr. Buck has not returned. Or we scared him off with copious advice…
Hmmm, that may or may not be the way it was “intended”, but after trying it both ways, I think my way is “easier”. A lot less keystrokes. A lot less button pressing.
Rich