I have not kept a running total on how much I've spent, but my estimation is, and taking into account, lumber, foam, hardware, wiring, engines, cars, and landscaping materials I figure I've spent pretty close to 15 grand in just a little over 3 years. Of course my wife thinks I've spent considerably less so if she knew the actual figures, I think I'd have to spend a lot more on a devorce lawyer. In her eyes, that money could have been better spent on things for our retirement. Like possibly a trip to Ireland, or Australia and such. I guess it's a matter of priorities and what to do with one's retirement years instead of playing golf or sitting in front of the idiot box and getting on each other nerves.
Every once in a while a Rail Road magazine takes a survey of how many hobbyiest are in each scale. Here is the BEEF!! An N scaler who just got a $36 starter set is concidered one full member, and a Zer that might have many thousands $$ invested is counted as one full member!! So it is easy to get lots of N scalers- or HO etc. Yes- I understand there is high end Brass in most scales-- but we are talking numbers here. Many start out in the larger scales before finding Z and may chooze thier predominant scale. I think a more accurate ( though more difficult) survey, would be how many members in each scale support the hobby in terms of money invested.
Hahhahahaha, I have partially seen your stash, and that is a lot more than what I have and I have crossed 6K long time back unless you are telling you have crossed the 6 figure mark... which sounds reasonable after seeing your treasures. Kim
John, I think the poll should be started over since the responses are dating back some time. Since the original responses were posted I'm sure some if not many have substantially increased their holdings. As for me, even being a MTL dealer, I have been very conservative about my purchases. I neither collect one or more of each release nor do I usually purchase more than one of any one loco style. I do admit that MUing several locos does have a lot of appeal and very prototypical. It is surprising how much one can tally up when they sit down and put all the pieces in front of them. I am not jealous of those who do spend much on their hobby, but I do wonder if they will ever regret having spent so much when and if they tire of their hobby. I think a poll on how many locos one owns would be an interesting topic.
My biggest concern is... I am unable to insure my collection. It would be a substantial loss. And... How do you insure or even replace one of a kind custom pieces?
15K club here. Between the big boy release and the price reduction of the GS4 and Cab forward Sets + challenger sets 15K came and went quickly.
For insuring, take a look at American Collectors Insurance. We researched them a few years back in an article we run in Ztrack. https://quote.americancollectors.co...ucer=1422092&gclid=CMiJkevg0rkCFUxgMgodFTUA-A No comment on what club I fall into. The wife may be reading this... Rob
[QUOTEA[No comment on what club I fall into. The wife may be reading this... Rob[/QUOTE] Oh, I got you now.......unless you send me one of each, Big Boy, Challenger, Cab Forward, and GS4 I will call Jenny and tell her how much. My covert team has been keeping track all these years. Ooh hah hah hah hah. )
I keep a database in excel on every bit of rolling stock i own. Parts of this are transitted to the show organisers a couple of weeks before an event so they know what I'm bringing and what to insure. because I acquire two seperate eras and areas i'e mid west 50/60's to run on Cuyahoga and mid 90's western USA to run on Shasta there's always something out there I MUST have. In addition, here in the U.K, kitbuilt or scratchbuilt stock is always valued at the cost to have it replaced professionally. So if one of my precious Robert Ray centrebeams gets crunched the price would reflect replacing the kit and components and building and paint job. The end result is that the cobined total of my USA stock and the British stuff that runs on Midsomer Mardy and the German and Japanes stuff I buy because it's there makes for a seriously scary grand total. The saving grace is that a z scale model doesn't show up much in your pocket when you come home with it and to my wife it all looks the same. Remember the best saying When the wife says 'where's that come from you' reply you reply 'That, I've had that years! I've just got it out of the loft' I also rely on the spirit of Isambard Kingdom Brunel to forgive my soul ! KEV
Z-Scale 15K- - - - And then some HO Scale -$$$$ - - - - - And then Some x2 I picked up my first Z scale train set as a novelty back in the late 80's (a Marklin 8174 battery starter set) My Z scale collection grew slowly at first picking up a piece or two each year. But lately it's bin growing in leaps and bounds. 25+ years of collecting Z = 30+ locomotives and close to 200 pcs of rolling stock, Which sad to say is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what I've amassed in HO over the past 40+ years. Do I regret spending so much $$ on a Hobby? Yes and No; I bought a lot of worthless HO scale junk in my younger years that I'll never get any return from or enjoyment out of. Worst part is some of it is still costing me funds and taking up considerable space in the storage unit we rent. But at the same time I feel I've gotten or will get my money's worth of enjoyment out of 90% of the Z scale that I've collected over the years.
I'd have to say I have only spent about $2000 on my stuff. That includes the rolling stock and the layout. Yeah, not a big spender but, I do get my enjoyment out of them. If I had the chance, would a complete Pennsy E7 and Broadway Limited brass set but, not in the spending cards even if I could.
I've only been addicted for a few months and I have already topped the 1k mark. As more BN paint schemes become available, I will probably push the 2k mark soon.
