I got back into this hobby 25 years ago when I was 31. I had a mortgage, electric bill, gas bill, credit card bills and car insurance. Back then MTH was new and some models were sold for more than list price. A couple of years later about 1999 I bought a Hudson for $1200. The train store let me put it on lay away. I scrimped and saved to make the payments it eventually I got it. I put money aside from paycheck and used credit cards rewards where I could. Yes, I could have went to HO and bought a Hudson for probably $800 cheaper but I wanted O scale. There were a bunch of engines I wanted that I had to pass up on because my budget wouldn’t allow it and whenever I could afford a good deal on the secondary market I went with that. I think I averaged about one locomotive per year. Some years 2-3 some none. It all depended on the secondary market and what was available at what price. Yes, it took a very long to build up a roster of locomotives but eventually I got there. With HO the gratification would have been a lot sooner. What stinks is had I not been so impatient and waited 15 years (yes I know a long time) I could have gotten the same exact engine for $400. Now that I am 56 I still don’t have a large budget for trains but even if I did I need very few more trains. It’s not a race. No one should feel that they have to build a large roster or collection of trains in a short period of time. It’s hard to be patient but take your time and enjoy the journey. Just my experience.
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