Expensive? Nope. Gas is expensive (and it’s gonna get worse). Taxes are expensive (at least in NY State). Cable is expensive (5 thousand channels of nothing!!!.. and you can DVR it to waste more time later- time is money as they say). But this? This is worth every penny!!! Just my 2 cents (hey, there’s a pun in there somewhere!).
-Kevin.
Richard Smith said:While out taking pictures, I've run into retired guys several times, doing just that. They're a great source of information, as they know what will be coming and when ;) Ralph
The object was to take a notebook and pencil down to the local depot, rail yard or trackside and write down the numbers of all the locomotives and any other items of interest along with their time and location. Later they would gather together and compare notes sometimes going back for months.
Richard Smith said:I know a former engineer who cared around a cooler full of such paperwork. When I first meet him, I thought the cooler was full of food, wrong! While he was working he kept a record of car numbers and locomotives as they went by. By the end of the day he had a full notebook, and then he would spend 1/2hour to an hour on the computer looking up the cars/locomotives. He could tell you anything and everything you wanted to know about a specific car. It was kind of interesting as certain cars would come and go. He looked at the history of when the car was built, who the manufacturer was, last time it was in the shops, etc.... I would see him in the yard office an hour or two after he was tied up (off duty) and he was still looking at car information!
I remember reading an article one time written by a fellow in the U.K. It was about the exciting hobby of "train spotting". The object was to take a notebook and pencil down to the local depot, rail yard or trackside and write down the numbers of all the locomotives and any other items of interest along with their time and location. Later they would gather together and compare notes sometimes going back for months. "Oh yeh, ol' number 97 was there at 3pm on June 27th. Fancy that." I don't know if the hobby was confined mostly to the U.K. or if it was practiced in other countries but you have to admit it was cheap! hehe! Certainly too exciting for some of you though I'm sure. ;)
If you think gas is dear in the USA then here in the UK it’s hit approx $8 a gallon. (most of which is tax). 
Richard Smith said:
Well you CAN do a railroad hobby on the cheap!I remember reading an article one time written by a fellow in the U.K. It was about the exciting hobby of “train spotting”. The object was to take a notebook and pencil down to the local depot, rail yard or trackside and write down the numbers of all the locomotives and any other items of interest along with their time and location. Later they would gather together and compare notes sometimes going back for months. “Oh yeh, ol’ number 97 was there at 3pm on June 27th. Fancy that.” I don’t know if the hobby was confined mostly to the U.K. or if it was practiced in other countries but you have to admit it was cheap! hehe! Certainly too exciting for some of you though I’m sure.
Too with all the new electronic gadgets you could make an otherwise cheap hobby quite expensive not to mention some of the young’uns might not be familiar with proper operation of the pencil anyway.
These days, an ‘anorak’ is another form of a ‘geek’ or ‘nerd’.
A pal of mine used to collect all the Ian Allen ‘trainspotters’ books, and proudly show me his latest ‘number’ acquisition. He was so excited that he didn’t ever notice the instant glaze-over in my eyes…
To me it’s like collecting twigs - ‘Gee whiz, I’ve never seen THAT one before!’, and every bit as productive.
I’m certain in what remains of my own mind that the GFO didn’t place us on the earth to collect train numbers, just as I’m certain that there are trains in heaven.
tac, ig & The Runaway Train Boys
OK - Well good luck to you that ware into train spotting. I don’t have any room left in my on-board computer to store any of that data
Any hobby can be as cheap or expensive as you want to make it. For a long time I was into Amateur Radio (ham). You could go out and buy new top-of-the-line radios and have a 100 foot tower built in your back yard for about the same investment as a new car, or you could sting a wire antenna in the trees and buy second or third hand radios at swap meets (or build you own if talented enough). I chose the second, cheaper path and still had great fun for well over 10 years with very little money spent.
My recent box car build is another example of doing it on-the-cheap with what you have available. Granted, I collected a fair amount of detail parts and building supplies over the years and have a good source of plastic scrap. My out-of-pocket on the build was about $5 for a tube of emblem cement.
Very interesting about the word ‘anorak’ to describe an enthusiast. Not unlike our term ‘buff’ here across the pond, which apparently originated as a reference to the buffalo coats worn by volunteer firemen who enthusiastically rushed to fires.
I used to watch grass grow, but that got too expensive with a ride on mower.
So I covered the entire back yard with a layout. Big mistake! That was reeeely expensive.
Then I “Roundup’d” the entire front yard.
So now I watch paint dry on my models
I have been in the hobby since '98. Some prices have gone up, but so has my income. I started this hobby when I retired. A fixed income has taught me to be more frugal. All my engines are LGB w/sound and are in good working condition. I take advantage of sales and the occasional all scale train show. Never been to the big U.S. shows. I’d love to go, but too expensive to get there.
I still enjoy the hobby after all this time and take great pleasure in sharing with visitors and neighborhood children. Regards, Dennis.
Well, for me it will probably be more scratchbuilding and kitbashing.
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/davemeashey/2011Chal07.jpg)
For most of the stuff I want now, bashing or scratchbuilding will be required. AND since I live in Roanoke, VA, there is always that big stuff to enjoy.
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/davemeashey/10May05.jpg)
I still do lots of other things, like: choir, handbell choir, helping to run a job loss support group, National Railway Historical Society local chapter activities, and other church and community activities. I don’t think I will get bored. Best wishes, David Meashey
Just when did everything get more expensive? I have always had hobbies and they are not cheap. Cars, you always want to go faster. Boats, skiing fishing. Quads. Shooting sports. Photography. etc… etc… I blame the magazines and catalogs. Every month or 2 (Garden Railways) I have delivered to my door in shiny glossy ads the latest and greatest products and the simply must haves. There is always something bigger and better to lust after and save for. When will it all end?? Probably never. Am I content with what I already have yes and no. I guess the only way to combat the lust for more and more is to give up, lose interest and sell it off but then there is always the “This thing cost me how many dollars and to sell I can only get pennies!” to worry about. At least that won’t happen with trains.
A relativly cheap hobby that I still persue is kite flying. I still fly a stunt kite I paid $15 for about 12 years ago. All I need is wind.
tac said:Well, tac, you and I agree on this one. As it says in the Good Book, "The Lord is high and lifted up, and His train fills the Temple." Isaiah 6:1
I'm certain in what remains of my own mind that the GFO didn't place us on the earth to collect train numbers, just as I'm certain that there are trains in heaven.
“As it says in the Good Book, “The Lord is high and lifted up, and His train fills the Temple.” Isaiah 6:1”
Steve;
One of my favorite verses! Probably our inturpretation is a bit liberal, but HEY!
Narrow gauge guys also probably like the verse that states that the way to eternal life is straight and narrow. 
Have fun,
David Meashey
What does the word “train” mean?
And where is its origins?
Don’t worry about that John. (It’s something that the SWTSMBO’s try to do to us). Just go back out to the shop and work on your projects.
PS: Why do I think Steve is gonna chime in.
Isn’t a “train” a string of things that move more or less in a line together? Wagon Train? Bridal Train?
Okay, internet says the following: Middle English, trailing part of a gown, from Old French, from trainer, to drag, from Vulgar Latin *tragnre, from *tragere, to pull, back-formation from tractus, past participle of Latin trahere.
Yeah, I’m a word geek.
Dave Meashey said:
..............Narrow gauge guys also probably like the verse that states that the way to eternal life is straight and narrow.
Have fun,
David Meashey
Michael Moradzadeh said:
Isn't a "train" a string of things that move more or less in a line together? Wagon Train? Bridal Train?Okay, internet says the following: Middle English, trailing part of a gown, from Old French, from trainer, to drag, from Vulgar Latin *tragnre, from *tragere, to pull, back-formation from tractus, past participle of Latin trahere.
Yeah, I’m a word geek.
Nice to know you are not a sciolist
Yeah, what he said… 
Feel better, Randy? 
This information about a $20, 1:32, GP-35 came to me via a private forum, but the author said to share it. That’s $20, not $200. But buyer beware: you get what you pay for - although you’ll have to agree it is cheap.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/sylvester/_forumfiles/GP35.jpg)
Wayne Gunn, Palm Springs says: “I just received a pair of New Ray GP35s. �Not bad for $19.95 ($33 each with shipping and tax.) Rough measurements, checking the MR Diesel Cyclopedia and comparing to my GHB GP-9 and its measurements in the ‘bible’. It rides about 3/8 too high referring to the walkway and the coupler pocket. The hood width is good, hood height looks ok above the walkway, might be slightly too short after lowering. Overall length is 1/2 inch too short… looks like the end “porches” are the problem, but general appearance would be ok after lowering. Refreshing after the Lionel, close but wrong in the other direction-- the truck wheelbase is about 1/8” too short. If the body is lowered 3/8", the fuel tank will be too low, but may have enough clearance to run. �It would look better with thinner air reservoirs. The plastic spoked wheels are a nice touch, as are the horns embedded halfway into the cab roof. �LOL Amazingly it has see- through screens with fan blades which are hardly noticeable. �I wish they’d put that effort somewhere else. Typically, the handrails are double thickness, but also the thick stantions are about 1/8 too short. As mentioned before- it needs paint. �The gray looks fine, but the yellow is translucent because it is cast in yellow plastic. Still, it is amazing what Chinese ‘slave labor’ can do for �$20 retail. �I would have gladly paid much more for one like this with the correct dimensions. Feel free to forward this info and pix. Thanks,� wayne gunn palm springs, california
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/sylvester/_forumfiles/GPs35.jpg)
Then Wayne added: It looks pretty good lowered. I agree, SP would be good, or solid gray or black like a leased unit, it would distract from the 0.090" railings (or replace them) and a single color would not draw all the attention of UP yellow, esp. translucent. Lowering looks pretty easy, with a flat sheet of plastic to replace the frame which is like a pan that dips down too low. The plastic wheels are real close to 40", and the “bearings” are inside - just slots in the block. The axles don’t protrude through the wheels. One could drill out the backs of the side frames to clear your axles- possibly adding a real bushing, but the journal is not exactly in the center of the wheel. I guess you have flush wheels in 40 inch? Or use an MTH F unit for the below-deck parts as you say, if you want to run them as opposed to a pretty cool stationary lash-up parked on a helper pocket. To do: Lower with new frame cut off fuel tank (part of frame) and reattach change wheels or add MTH power blocks rebuild railings rebuild pilots paint, lettering window glazing grab irons couplers Thanks, wayne gunn audio village palm springs, california
