How much money so far on z-scale products

animek Nov 8, 2005

?

How much money have you spend so far on z-scale products

  1. less then 1000$ on locomotives

    45.1%
  2. More then 1000$ on locomotives

    51.0%
  3. Less then 1000$ on Wagons

    15.7%
  4. More then 1000$ on Wagons

    2.0%
  5. Less then 1000$ on Tracks

    2.0%
  6. More then 1000$ on Tracks

    2.0%
  7. Less then 1000$ on Scenery (Houses, cars, trees)

    2.0%
  8. More then 1000$ on Scenery (Houses, cars, trees)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. animek

    animek TrainBoard Member

    713
    109
    27
    I swear I'm not a dealer, but I would like to know how important this scale is to others.

    How much money have you spend so far on Z-Scale
    products.
     
  2. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

    9,814
    14,202
    147
    WOW!!! :eek: [​IMG] Big dollars!!
     
  3. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    4,596
    550
    72
    I like to do a dollar count on the locomotives whenever I see a layout. If you get a AZL you are half way to a grand,
     
  4. John Bartolotto

    John Bartolotto TrainBoard Supporter

    1,524
    1,033
    46
    Wow! Thousands of dollars since 1999 when I got into Z scale.

    John
     
  5. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

    3,191
    1,211
    64
    I got into z a couple of years ago, and the first loco I purchased was a micro-trains mogul for about 500. To this day it is still my favorite loco for looks and really it runs quite well. I have learned to keep it properly cleaned and lubed and it is a fine piece. I don't know if my wife will let me spend that much again [​IMG] But the best part is this.......after starting off spending 500, now 200 for a loco doesn't phase her hardly at all! ;) So the moral of the story is go big once, and then anything less than that is a bargan!
     
  6. rray

    rray Staff Member

    8,277
    9,277
    133
    I spent thousands too, however I have been able to offset the costs by trades and making kits.

    Welcome to Trainboard John! :D


    -Robert
     
  7. david f.

    david f. TrainBoard Supporter

    1,266
    28
    30
    i'm a cheapskate, because i'm paying college tuition for child #3, so funds are limited. i've purchased 2 gp-35's and just got those in the budget. i look forward to buying another in the future (undec, i hope).

    my layout in Z is 2'X4' (in progress) but i have an Nn3 line on my larger N scale layout that will allow me more running possibilities. i'm a rio grande modeler, so i'm keeping close to prototype engines and rolling stock.

    i found five Z cars (2 boxs, a tank, a gondola and marklin caboose shell) at a train show that i picked up for about $10 a year or so ago. couplers were all broken and the gon and caboose needed trucks and underframes. i purchased the last 3 pennzee coal gons at Caboose a month ago when they were still marked down. ... and that's my rolling stock. i'm building 6 more general service gons and having fun doing it. so i'll have a decent (typical rio grande) consist for my small branchline layout.

    total is under $400 (with track).
    but ... every now an then some spare cash will emerge and i'll take advange of it. 2 more years of college and then who knows!
    dave f.
     
  8. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

    8,903
    3,623
    137
    Not to be funny but I guess I can say that I have _not_ purchased at least $2000. I don't have any Z scale but I really came pixel close when I saw the GG 1. If I get a new job even close to my old sallery you can figure I'll break down and buy at least:
    An oval of track
    Tthe GG1 (if still available)
    Passenger cars for the GG1
    GP XX
    A few freight cars
    Power supply
    *********
    That about $2000?
     
  9. ztrack

    ztrack TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

    2,182
    777
    49
    Doing some quick math in my head, you can get all of the following for less than $1,000.

    The Marklin GG1 can be found for about $250.00. MTL offers a GP35 starter set. It comes with a GP35, oval of track, 4 freight cars and a caboose. These sets sell for less than $300.00. You will need a transformer so lets say $50.00. The only one is the passenger cars for the GG1 There is a rumor of heavy weights coming out next year. If true, I will say $25.00 a piece, so lets say 5 for $125.00. These prices are all based on dealers who discount.

    Total (not including shipping, etc): $725.00.

    Rob Kluz
     
  10. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    4,596
    550
    72
    Rob, what is the estimated worth of your collection. i know you have a soft spot for FR, and then you probably have every AZL and SZl engine. Then you have a good excuse. you can always tell your wife that you need it for review, or she is not falling for that one anymore.

    John,
     
  11. ztrack

    ztrack TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

    2,182
    777
    49
    John,

    That is a very good question. I have been in the hobby since 1985. I primary collect Marklin Z, but have since branched out to include a large MTL collection, AZL, SZL, FR, Railex, Pennzee, Father Nature and many other small Z manufacturers. I even have samples of the original Rogue GP38-2s and other very rare pieces. Surprising, I don't have a large AZL collection, though I have a few pieces including the prototype PA1 (Rio Grande). I do have a sample from each AZL release. During shows, I typically run C44s and SD40-2s (NS, CSX, Conrail).

    You can see in the image below, this is my European layout. The cases on the wall are all Marklin equipment. I have more cases on the other wall. The yard on the layout also holds about 100 cars. I do own and operate US modules, though I store the US collection.

    [​IMG]

    So long story short, I am not sure, and I am frankly afraid to find out. Much of collection will eventually be turned over to the Ztrack Magazine archives for historical purposes. I would like to eventually display these treasures is the Ztrack offices.

    Rob Kluz
     
  12. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    4,596
    550
    72
    I understand what you mean. I was half way through calculating how much I was spending on my reef tank, and I decided to stop. Sometimes, not knowing is better.

    john
     
  13. RSmidt

    RSmidt TrainBoard Member

    899
    0
    19
    Hey Rob, Aren't the ZTrack offices just upstairs? ;)

    "I would like to eventually display these treasures is the Ztrack offices. "

    I know of one collector who has been in Z scale for over ten years and probably has more than $10,000 of locomotives alone. Of course he bought most of them used in estates and off of ebay so he didn't actually pay $10,000 for them.

    Myself, I general have to save my lunch money (literally) for about 18 months to be able to buy an AZL. At least with the SD70M I'll only have to save for 9 months. Gosh, I might start putting on more weight if I can actually eat lunch. ;)

    Randy
     
  14. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    4,596
    550
    72
    Randy, nutricion is over rated. Why eat a big lunch, when you can have a SD70. Since the SD70 is not going to make it for this holiday, I am thinking of using this holiday to order either a CSX SD40 or the Burlington SW1.

    John
     
  15. bstrebel

    bstrebel New Member

    3
    0
    6
    First I want to introduce myself, and say hello to all members
    A good question I'm trying to hide from myself, and from my GF in particular at all cost :)
    All in all, after switching to Z from my HO scale i used to have as a teen, I decided to discard my own car and invest in my hobby, so I probably spent about 10k on it. Although, giving the rising Swiss Franc and the dropping Euro/Dollar, it starts to become cheaper and cheaper for me (hehe).
    All the best, Bruno
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 11, 2011
  16. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    4,596
    550
    72
    Welcome to Trainboard Bruno. Do you have a layout? If you do, share it with us. We love pictures.
     
  17. bstrebel

    bstrebel New Member

    3
    0
    6
    Dear shammoo7373, I gladly would like to do so, tho its under construction yet.
    Can I upload the images directly or do I need to find a server for storage, and post the links to it on the forum?
     
  18. bstrebel

    bstrebel New Member

    3
    0
    6
    layout of my z.scale project (08/2011)

    Well then, here it comes: Don't be afraid, most of the tracks in the rear part of the layout are covered by mountains, so I don't consider the scenery to be much overloaded. As I only have 280x120cm and as I a don't want to skip the option to run longer trains, I finally ended with this track-loaded scenery/layout. I hope i am able to post a sketch of the planned layout; - comments are welcome.

    facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2282770472558&set=a.2282770072548.135111.1347738888&type=1&theater

    Have a nice eve, Bruno

    P.S. Dear Administrator, please forgive me that i have bypassed your 3-days linking ban :)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 11, 2011
  19. JamesTraction

    JamesTraction TrainBoard Supporter

    195
    0
    17
  20. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    lets just say '5 figures'. I can only estimate and I do have insurance which does state it but, I have that total spot in 'white' font so I do not see it :)
    .
     

Share This Page