Model Railway Addiction

[M. Matthews]

Just wondering if this is a topic that has been discussed before?

I am currently building my first proper layout and learning what a money pit it can be. I've found myself spending hours everyday on that popular auction site, window shopping and mentally spending money that I haven't got. As soon as funds become available they disappear again very quickly.

On the plus side, it's made me give up smoking and go tee-total (I did have an alcohol problem before). But building this layout has given me something to hyper focus on.

Anyone else feel the same? And do you think the addiction is healthy?

[Kevin Hodges]

Hi M. Matthews

Yes, just go for it.

You are on the right track now. (pardon the pun). : )

Pick up a Hornby train set when you can. They are great value and good starting point.

Cheers mate.

Good luck.

Kev.grinning

[JJ73]

Hello & Welcome to the Forum 🙂

WOW good for you 🙂 It was my late Dad that started me on Model Railways - I was about 8 yrs old when he bought me my 1st 3 Train sets (2 x Lima & 1 x Airfix) then after a few years - I left it, then about just over 10 to 15 yrs ago I got back into it & haven't look back & my Model Collection of Railway has gown so big - I have now about 13 Train Set & I've lost count how many Locos & Rolling Stock I've got (must be about 70 +) - (Must have Miles of Track aswell!!!) Also got more Controllers than I actually need!!! & your asking "addiction is healthy???" I think I have just answered your question!!! 🙂🚂🚂🚂

(see my link below to take a look at my Model Railways & look at my Playlist called "Model Railways + Railway Simulator")

[Tony57]

HI

Yes model railways is addictive and can be expensive without a little discipline. Even with all the stuff I have in my collection I can still spend as much as £500 - £1000 per year adding to my collection.

The most important part its your railway layout if it fully landscaped or just a couple of circles of track on a bare board running fully period correct or a mismatch of everything just enjoy it.

[ColinB]

Yes it can be addictive. Don't what ever you do get into DCC and sound that is even worse. I seem to enjoy fixing locos and making them go better and always finding ways to improve them. Once I got into to sound I found I wanted to add it to all my locos, but at £100 a go for a decent sound decoder, you can see how expensive that can get.

[atom3624]

Right at the start, the enthusiasm to start is generally 'too great', but great just the same.

If it can be toned down, logically it's nice if you can focus, as mentioned, on:

1. Period / Era.
2. Location.
3. Scenery, Points, Tunnels, Bridges, Stations.

Al.

[Buz]

Hi M. Mathews

Welcome.

Railway Modelling is an obsession not an addiction.

It can be very expensive if you buy everything brand new.

To help get the cost down chose a theme and time frame for the railway,

then don't buy anything that doesn't fit the above.

Avoiding these common mistakes will help a lot

Start small don't make the mistake of designing a big empire that you will never build, has twenty miles more track than it needs to have, or such a complex track set up that Britain's war budget for both world wars was only 10% of what you will need to build the railway,

it's next to impossible to do but try and avoid the beginners mad purchase phase of getting a load of stuff it turns out you don't want because you will never use it we have all been there done that and it can cost very real money.

Don't buy factory made base boards build your own there has been plenty written about this over the years.

Do the Job PROPERLY this is the foundation no short cuts then it will last, you only have to do it once and everything on top should run well.

Do research on track buy the best that way once it has been carefully laid and properly wired it works and will last.

Research the shop prices so you can avoid the Evil Bay price madness and take note if you spotted a good second hand what ever it is you want.

Scenery is often made with what others consider to be junk and rubbish do it that way not the go and buy the latest scenic stuff at mad prices.

There is a lot to be said for the older ways of doing scenery it is enjoyable, rather than stressing about where the new sheet of XPF foam is coming from you can grab yesterdays papers an empty packing carton from the local super market mix up some plaster and do the next bit.

Buildings seek out the second hand UK outline (remember only if they fit the theme) complete un-built plastic kits you get to enjoy it twice once when you build and paint it and when the train goes past the finished structure.

Also learn how to scratch build and Kit Bash because sooner or later you will have to, to get something you want that no one makes.

There are ways of cutting the cost down without compromising the the quality of the build or the enjoyment you get out of it.

One last thing DON'T RUSH IT its not a race take your time and do the best you can, ask lots of questions and most of all relax and have fun thats what it is all about.

regards John

[LukeTrainsPlanes]

Having only recntly started the hobby myself after getting a Blue rapier set for christmas, im still slowly building the layout, track is down and have planned out where stations etc are going.

I have two young children so days off are 90% spent as family time but i do get a few hours to do stuff on my layout.

Everytime I get on the layout i always think to myself is that all ive done the last few months. But also think its not to be rushed.

It is very addictive and I've spent a fair bit already on things, locos (pre owned but both have started running awful and oil hasn't helped so will save for new in future) carriages etc, track and so on, also a few cars and buildings etc. Not to mention a newer better controller (gaugemaster )

I don't really drink much and don't smoke and my main hobbies are train and plane spotting which is basically free (free or discounted rail travel) and just fuel to drive to airport locations.

Its a good thing to of gotten into in my opinion and it helps me focus and forget about all the negativity in the world currently i just focus on my railway.

I've worked out I've spent a good £500-600 or more so far on things.

Biggest regret is buying pre owned locos via a auction site and finding out after a few hours running they are now running awful.

And as many say its your layout your railway so do as you please. Run what trains you like.

And enjoy

[threelink]

Hi MM. Yes, it's an obsession/addiction but a harmless one if you can keep expense under control. I model the 1950s/60s and have accumulated 80 plus locos (all analogue), 50 plus cariages and over 200 wagons in a little over 10 years on a self imposed weekly budget of £5.00 by buying broken and unserviceable locos, stock and parts thereof (rubbish basically) and cobbling the bits into complete items. The average costs to date have been £8.00 for a loco, £4.00 for a carriage and £2.50 for a wagon to include half decent wheeels and near scale link couplings. I buy boxes and job lots of rubbish and now have a vast store of spares and complete kits of parts to make a further 35 locos and a lot more rolling stock when time permits. Cobbling is great fun, deeply satisfying but ferociously addictive. However it does keep the expense under control and it is not difficult. You just collect a pile of parts, cobble them together and paint the result. I started with little knowledge and less experience and just learned as I went along, mostly form my mistakes. It needs no specialist equipment beyond a soldering iron. I recommend it as a way of keeping expense within bounds and enjoyment maximised. Enjoy your obsession in whatever way suits you - your layout, your rules.

[GWR LNER fan 4472]

Haha, interesting points here. I'd be tempted to say it is an addiction for me. Not the buying as such, but playing trains and building kits etc. They say that you don't know somethings an addiction until you try giving it up, which is debatable at the best of times. Anyhow, my layout is at my grandparents' house so unfortunately I've been severely lacking in model railwaying for the past year, and let me tell you, it's not been easy!

I've managed to make a few kits I had lying around and even bought a few more mainly out of lockdown boredom, but I'm pleased to say it's more or less satisfied my lacking of trains. You may remember ages ago I mentioned a new layout I was planning in my house, well just recently I've put all the baseboards up and some track-work and can now run a train around the loop. It's limited rolling stock, nothing spectacular, but it's still a model train that I can run! I'll post some pictures in the thread at some point hopefully.

Anyway, my point is it's definitely an addiction for me, but an obsession is a nicer word for it smile

[keithp1707821843]

Hello

I too only started just over a year ago. I am not very good at IT buying, so avoid auction sites - so everything is new, so some self discipline has been required. But what I have found is try making things yourself - station platforms is easy with tablet boxes, hills, with paper & PVA. That keeps your cost down.

Best things is to enjoy the models.

Keith.

[atom3624]

It does become an addiction, but which should be controllable.

I find I seem to have 'phases' - where I can and cannot control the 'finger on buy it now'!

I've always had 'hobbies' since I was a small boy - toy cars, slot cars, model railways, R/C cars, trucks and tanks ... and have now returned to cars.

It's permitted me not to become addicted to being in the Pub every day then going home via the chippy, so it's kept me relatively healthy.

Nearly everyone has their little foibles - could be that season ticket for cricket, rugby, footy, etc. - and very few 'old school' escape this.

The modern way appears to be video games, which has its own vices and limitations - something verging on a Supercomputer is often required ....

Al.