I was thinking of keeping an expense log book while I build my layout.
Track, wire, plumbing, bridges, etc. Anything related to the building of the pike. I’ve heard several members ask host’s at meetings about how much they’ve got into their layout.
Maybe they are being nosy, and maybe it isn’t good etiquette to ask a host that: I dunno.
My boulders were free, but I’ve spent roughly 2 grand in track, 500 in switches (LGB 1800’s).
I haven’t bought the wire, or Hillmans or bridges, or the fill, etc…
If I told a new member what I’ve got into my railroad, they’d probably faint and run like hell away from the hobby. Not to mention the time working out there.
What ya’ll think?
jb
John,
I did that for my large HOm layout back East - no, I won’t tell what the total came to!
I would be very interested in knowing how much extra connecting for track power is compared to just the track and roadbed.
Joiners, clamps, wiring, special equipment for reverse loops and Y’s etc.
Possibly not a real good idea if you’re married. It might just find it’s way into evidence should one of you decide on that dratted “d” word. If you pay cash and don’t write it down, who’s to say you didn’t really get that Aster for $25 at a yard sale?
Besides which, for some reason - to most women anyway - trains are simply not in the same catagory as say purses, dresses, or shoes.
I suppose OTOH, if you have trouble sticking to a budget, or remembering how much you payed for stuff, it might be somewhat useful to keep yourself OUT of trouble too.
TonyWalsham said:
I would be very interested in knowing how much extra connecting for track power is compared to just the track and roadbed.Joiners, clamps, wiring, special equipment for reverse loops and Y’s etc.
Tony,
It’s enough to pay for the battery R/C.
But fitting batteries isn’t always practical or possible.
The unwritten rule in high power rocketry is, never ask a guy how much his hobby costs within earshot of his wife. I’m sure this applies to most other hobbies too. 
I don’t think I want to know the answer.
When I got into this hobby someone in the club told my Wife " you might as well get a second Mortgage !
I did just increase my insurance coverge on my workshop where I keep all the Train stuff.
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:TonyWalsham said:
I would be very interested in knowing how much extra connecting for track power is compared to just the track and roadbed.Joiners, clamps, wiring, special equipment for reverse loops and Y’s etc.
Tony,It’s enough to pay for the battery R/C.
But fitting batteries isn’t always practical or possible.
Problem is installing, wiring and maintaining track power isn’t always economical and sometimes a waste of both time and money.
TonyWalsham said:Hans-Joerg Mueller said:TonyWalsham said:
I would be very interested in knowing how much extra connecting for track power is compared to just the track and roadbed.Joiners, clamps, wiring, special equipment for reverse loops and Y’s etc.
Tony,It’s enough to pay for the battery R/C.
But fitting batteries isn’t always practical or possible.
Problem is installing, wiring and maintaining track power isn’t always economical and sometimes a waste of both time and money.
Money-wise I’d say it’s about even. Maintenance-wise R/C wins hands down. Of course this all depends on how much you value YOUR time and sanity. My first layout was track powered. The first 5 years or so everything was fine. After that weather, dirt, grime, corrosion started taking it’s toll and I spent most of my time cleaning and maintaining the trackwork. Got to be a drag. Now I spend my time either constructing new trackwork or running trains…or both…
As for the total cost of all this…I don’t even want to know!!
Sounds like a sure fire recipe for marital disaster to me!
I wouldn’t dare!
Neil Hay said:Neil,
Sounds like a sure fire recipe for marital disaster to me!
It all depends. My equal half - we’ve just past the seven year mark - has been in the modelrailway business since the late 1970’s.
Neutral or brown bags, evasive answers, mumbled prices and all that wouldn’t fly in this house, but there is no need anyway.
Yes Sir, I count myself lucky!
John ,
I know how many pieces of track and what hardware make up the layout . I also have a record of man hours spent on it in construction Maintenance has to be added to show the worth of the stuff hasn’t been debased . Thus armed , any insurance query can be explained with some accuracy . Nothing is worse than completing a claim and then remembering too late something else that should have been mentioned . My experience here was helped by the Assessor who accepted the list of deficient items and told me that he expected an addendum to it when I’d had time to settle down and think properly . He was right , too .
You will note that I have not mentioned cost . How much will it cost to replace is what you need to know–if the time comes .
Simply costing what you’ve got is a bit pointless , don’t you think ? It’s spent and gone , you ain’t gonna get it back , that’s for sure .
Whilst we’re on the subject , if you are into buying for investment , you will be disappointed . I bought all of my expensive locos for my enjoyment , and am glad I did , because I regularly see the same ones on offer from some poor bugger who’se down on his luck–otherwise why sell at such a loss ? My LGB Garrett cost £2500 , I saw a brand new one the other day for £ 2000 . Of course , I threw a tantrum banging my fists on the floor and generally behaved like a modern day kid denied another ice cream .
But , again , I suppose it is useful to have to hand the amount these things cost you .
And , we always forget the expensive carriages at £1000 a rake . Just because they aren’t engines doesn’t mean ignore them .
So , yes , in a way , I would say keep track (sorry ) of what you’ve spent , but never put it in a book as a concise listing of what you have , it may fall into the wrong hands .
Such as a burglar or worse , a shrewish wife . Mine isn’t , she’s dead , and in any case bought a lot of the stuff . But I think you all know what I’m getting at .
Keep lots of little lists . Divide your stuff into types like red wagons , blue ones , green ones and confuse the heck out of everyone . If you wish to sound rich , put down the number of sleepers . Now multiply by two for nails . Or three , depending on how good you are with a hammer .
Enjoy making your inventory , and be honest with yourself .
Mike
PS . If you make something yourself , get a dealer to value it for replacement . I nearly dropped when told the replacement value for a loco was £1500 when it only cost me £120 plus a lot of fun .
She doesn’t tell me, I don’t tell her. It’s easier that way.
Anyway, why whould you want to know?
If you do keep the record, keep it locked up tight! Compensatory jewelry is expensive! 
Well, my wife is backing me 110% with this endeavor.
She has her (expensive) horses and I’ve got my trains.
For insurance reasons, I think I may keep an expense account. I’ve also taken pics along the way.
I’ll let ya’ll know at the end of the build.
Track power will be used at first, since I own several lokies. And I would like to host a meeting or two. However, as I can afford it, some locos will be converted over time to bat/rc. But not right now.
Some of you guys can build your own bridges, but I, having not a shop, need to purchase mine.
I would like to build my own bridges.
I do plan to build my own buildings starting next winter.
I’m not new to Large Scale. I’ve owned LGB since 1986, and run indoors in approximately half of our full basement. I’ve also assisted members in getting their outdoor rr’s up and running. Now that I’m retired, it’s time to move outside. I’ll keep my indoor pike also, for winter running.
I’m gonna go looking for a laser level today…
jb
Joking aside, my other half (coming on for 23 years) is aware of the value of my toys - after all, she pays for half of them…our salaries are similar, and it all goes into one account.
We have just done an insurance valuation similar to that Mike is explaining - it’s scary…
NH Neil.
HELL NO!!! ARE YOU STUPID??? YOU WANT MY WIFE TO SEE HOW MUCH I"VE BLOWN…I MEAN SPENT, ON THIS HOBBY!!
This is a hobby that is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable, keeping track of how much I spend would be too much like work not to mention bring on stress knowing how much I really blew !
Like some others I kept an expense log for my HO layout (1986-2004) but haven’t for the garden railroad - too scary.
I have kept a spread sheet for all my train buys, cars, engines, track, accessories.
I did not track gardening items like dirt, rocks/stonesetc.
I do list what I have spent each year. Wife knows all about it andsupports me 100%.