What happens when it starts to not make a whole lotta sense?

Maybe I'm having a reality check. Anybody out there feel the same way?

You don't realize how good you have it until  the $$ becomes tight or you realize you have to sell that $1500.00 loco and find out it's worth less than 1/2 of what you paid for it! I am there and I feel that any loco $1800.00 or more in 3 rail- regardless of the detail is NOT worth it!

You may see more of these conscious threads esp when the Lionel Centipede arrives!

For sure you are not alone.  We all have these feelings at some point in the acquisition phase.  We have all duplicated an item on occassion;  we have all found things we didn't know we had, that have never been out of the box.

Guess you could say this is part of the fun of being in the hobby. 

Maybe it is time to build a layout and start running the wheels off the things you have !

I don't think you're crazy at all.

Duplicating Items:

I've done this but in my case it has been a freight car or magazine here and there.  In the case of the freight cars that has usually been because there were "x" road numbers made and I forgot which ones I had when I went back for the rest.  I get aggravated to have a duplicate and miss one I don't have but it really isn't that huge a deal in the scheme of things.  I can't imagine what it would be like if we were talking about $1K+ engines.

I think the best way to reduce the chance of this is to limit your scope in a couple of ways.

• Have a budget.  Nothing helps me have to make hard choices like only having a finite number of dollars I can spend.  I find that it is a lot easier to remember that $1000 engine if it represents a significant percentage of my annual train budget.  Even if we are "only" talking about a run of 4 cars, I tend to be a lot more careful.
• Focus.  The more narrowly you focus on Era, road name, layout theme, etc. the easier it is to pass up the stuff that "doesn't fit" even if you do have room for it in the budget.  Of course with freight cars you have a lot more rope with which you can hang yourself.  (That's known as a fatal lash-up in case Rich is reading... )
• Physical Space/Limit Shelf Real Estate.  If you make a rule that a certain percentage of your inventory has to live on the layout and/or you set a limit on shelf area that you think is reasonable it will help make sure you don't accumulate so much that you forget you have it.  I'm not saying it is bad to accumulate.  (That was what I was doing before I started a layout.) It is just that if you decide you have a problem, this might help prevent it.

I also believe that the "rules" need exceptions but if you make a habit of them they become the rule.

Regards,

Eric S.

Saline, MI

You're not alone with your situation.  Things make even less sense when you see the very same manufacturers walking away from supporting you the customer after you have invested thousands in their product lines.

As to your headline question: resolving that issue will be as individual as the reasons for entering the hobby. Each year I resolve to buy & post less; build, create & run more trains. I'm getting better at that resolution each year!

Cheers

I often have that feeling, but I find if I buy a new train I get over it fairly quickly!

Rod

Okay, here is how it works.  You put it on the track and run it, then figure how much a bass boat and a trailor and don't forget maintence, fuel and travel time.

Now look at the price of a set of good golf clubs, cart green fees and frustration.

Do you feel better?

Al

I'm sure many ask themselves the same question, only some, like me, after many years of many purchases.  Seems like the O-gauge Jones just up and quit.  Looking at thousands of dollars that is now worth a fraction of that amount is quite shameful.  My only consolation is the many hours of fun they have provided me.

Stack

I agree Al. I rationalize that I don't spend it on tobacco, drugs, alcohol and the season tickets I used to have.

Matt

Plus...  Your wife has you at home...

There's nothing wrong at all. It's just time to build a layout and run some trains. Consider yourself lucky that you're still able to purchase all your wants. I have plenty of duplicates, however, I don't let it keep me from buying more. Have you thought about buying the new, "Lionel's Showroom Layouts" book? Maybe just put some track on the floor for a while.

God Bless,

Have seen Hudson.  Lokks good.  Not worth price point.  Could get 4 WBB Hudsons for it, and place ERR boards in them.

You can not put salt and pepper on trains and eat them.  If one does not have the ability to be satisfied with what they have there is no end to any pursuits.

The pre purchase system draws many RRers to (over)extend themselves for a "once in a lifetime opportunity to own.....". 

This temporarily  satisfies the male hunt and capture drive but then we have to lie to ourself and others to justify excessive acquisitions. 

Then of course, there is the phallic draw with the awkward-to-use articulateds. 

One may think there is a conspiracy.

Just went through all the steps myself.  Finally got down to what I can best use.  I am hesitant to say how much $$$$$ was lost in this crazy making.  tt

Sometimes my wife even tells me to get out more.

I have gotten to the point where I do not have any more room, so to scratch that ich, I purchase engines for my LHS, Engine House Hobbies, to sit on his wall and it helps reduce his cost of inventory.

Unless you're very wealthy -- or at least a lot wealthier than I am -- you're right.  It doesn't make a lot of sense to drop that kind of money on a locomotive.  That's why I don't and never will.

I get your feelings on this regarding the VL hudson,however the s3 is/was  probably Lionels "deal of the century" as far as scale steamers is concerned. I'm guessing you paid closer to $900 for it and these were going for even less on preorder. Even for the MSRP of $994 its a great deal,if you go back through catalogs of Lionel scale steamers offered over the past 10-11 years( these are comparable with their tmcc features) there is nothing remotely close in "bang for buck". Even smaller locos like pacifics and k4's list for over a grand.Legacy scale berks were over $1100 even with a rebate.

Of course, everybody's financial situation, prospects, and expectations are different. For myself, I did reach a point where having several dozens of locomotives, plus the consists to make them trains, felt like enough. I stopped spending anything on trains and even asked my wife to stop buying them for me  as gifts. Instead, I have turned my energies, resources, and attention to crafting a layout that was enjoyable for others to visit. That is, I turned my attention from buying to sharing. Having a layout that others understand as a place to play has replaced my need to acquire objects. I enjoy giving smiles to other people more than just to myself.

Frank

See, that's where I went wrong.  I didn't give up the alcohol or tobacco.  Never was into the whole drug thing.  Wife would probably prefer if I was out of the house more...

But seriously, I've been through this with every hobby I've every had, and it always seems to find an equilibrium.   Watches were the worst.  I started out collecting and trading $200-300 watches and three years later, some of them were $7500+.  Fortunately, watches hold their value pretty well - I actually made money on some of them.  It was largely a zero-sum game, but try explaining that to the wife who only seemed to notice when the checks go out....

That was the only hobby I ever left.  I quit it cold turkey.  The lesson I learned was that in the end, it was easy to get caught up in the really high end stuff, but it wasn't any more FUN than the less expensive stuff (within reason).  I'm trying to keep my purchases in the Railking/RK scale range.  I get the features I want, enough detail to keep things interesting, and a price point that doesn't rock the boart too much.  My biggest problem as a newbie is getting the basics out of the way; they piled up quickly.  I won't have to worry about them again (DCS/Remote, most of the track, etc...) but my hope is that I get to a point where if I buy a new engine or a set of cars plus a few accessories, thats pretty much the extent of it.  The $1000+ detail monster loco's are definitely tempting, but I keep trying to remind myself that they might be nice to look at, but they won't be much (if any) more fun to run.

The budget tip is a good one.  One that I have a hard time following.  But if you stick with it, you'll find a balance.  Don't be afraid to walk away from it for a while - it might change your perspective and renew the spark when you return.  The bottom line is that if it ceases to be fun, you need to re-evaluate it.  

Best of luck!

-Eric

there's a lot of wisdom condensed it that right there.

like any hobby that involves collecting, there's a bit of obsessiveness that can creep in.  my brother collects coins and he's no better off.

the redeeming thing about trains is what monsoon frank said, you can enjoy them and share them by building and running a layout.

i find keeping a very detailed inventory helps, not only with the duplicates and so on, but also with the urge to buy that 9th steamer... a good review of the detail listings for the other 8 can cool that a bit by reminding you of the great stuff you already have.

i hear the "Trainminder" software is excellent, but i have a mac and they don't make it for mac, so i just use an xcel spreadsheet and catalog everything - transformers, accessories, everything.  

go ahead and laugh, but time spent working on the inventory is time not spent acquiring new stuff, but it's still time spent thinking about your trains.  handy for insurance too.

 -dave

Once you get that it never did make any sense you'll be okay.

Pete

Gene: Ken told me about that one! Haven't seen you for a while - hope all is well. 

I'm the same - have enough and don't need no more. Plus, I don't buy high dollar engines. I am a BIG fan of the Railking Imperial series. Looks like a Premier but for much less!

Off topic but my own little punch in the gut...traded in my car a few weeks ago, a Volvo V70XC. The car was approx. 50K new. Got 1K for trade in. Ouch. 

Hi Heath. As several others have mentioned - build a layout and RUN your trains!  If a layout is not practical, form a club (New Orleans is a large area) and build a modular layout for all to enjoy. We have constructed a second modular layout using 6' Samsonite tables w/folding legs (surprisingly sturdy) and two loops of Fastrack.

At our first set-up last weekend we actually had trains running in 30 minutes from parking the cars! It's fun...

I don't get it. If you work and earn a living that supports your family with extra money to spend on happiness then go for it. Get some plywood and start a layout and get off the guilt trip.

romiller

I keep records of what I have and even so I bought a duplicate engine that I had bought years ago The 1988 Northern Rock Island. There is a few more engines I want and then no more looking at eBay. Thats where I buy now and sometimes something not on my list. HO sure takes a lot less room to store.

Dennis San Fernando Valley CA.

No  problemo; I enjoy everything I buy, some more than others.  I'm not taking "bread off the table" for my family but, rather I'm spending time doing what I want to do, improving my position in life.  So, I bought something I really don't need and sometimes something that I don't even like.  So, next York meet, or even on an e-mail auction, I'll sell the darn thing.  Might loose a couple of bucks, but that's OK too. 

I try to spend some 8 to 10 hours a week working on the railroad and that time is a lot better spent than the same amount of time in therapy.

Sure, over the years I've spent literally thousands.  But I've gotten that much back in enjoyment, too.  And actually, since I do go to York, attend the local Cleveland shows and have friends put my stuff on e-bay, I've been able to keep my purchases well balanced with sales and alloted income, no one in the family has any cause for concern.  We're having a great time, not spending too much and, after all, some of my stuff will bring a few bucks some day when I check out of here.

Paul Fischer

Price increased due to changes in currency, labor costs, and raw material costs.

Very Limited availablity of O Scale Die-Cast Metal Steam Locomotives.

This is why they cost such a high amount compared to a Television and a Sony Blue-Ray disc player. You can get a Television and Blue-Ray player in lot more places than any O Scale die-cast metal steam locomotive.

Andrew

Falcon Service

I made an excel file to keep track of the items the wife and me purchase.

sample;

I don't see where there is an issue.

If doing something that is optional doesn't make sense to you, then don't do it.

You have no duty or obligation to purchase newly made toy trains, Lionel, MTH, or any other brand. Since you have decided that buying the high end stuff doesn't make sense, then any money you spend there is poorly spent.  Either buy something that does make sense, or put the money away.

CW

You really cut to the chase, nailed the "issue" with a minimum of verbiage. Nice.

"Money" is only but one measure of some "thing's" value. The trick to it all is balancing the "money" and the personal value.

I really enjoy the weekend photo threads - and admire the incredible creations presented. The breadth and intricacy of some of the layouts is just absolutely astonishing. And yes, there are times those photos leave me 'wanting'. Will my layout ever grace the front cover of OGR? Probably not as my carpet really needs to be replaced!   (Two BIG dogs! What can I say!?!?!)

BUT! What I do have that exceeds the "money" value is participation in a hobby that will provide endless hours of varying levels of physical and mental activity when the 9 to 5 job responsibility is long gone.

I watched - with a front row seat - as my own mom and dad retired - and promptly sat down on their butts in front of the TV. Dad was dead in 5 years. Mom can hardly walk or get up out of a chair on her own. Complete muscular atrophy. Neither had a hobby, nor any other interests they would participate in.

I don't plan on building a real layout until I retire. At that time, I sincerely hope that imagination and creativity become the driving forces behind 'something to do'. So all of this acquisition will eventually result in immeasurable value - way beyond the money - when I need it most.

+1 and you can't take it with you.

Works of art (engines) can be expensive.

quote:

"Money" is only but one measure of some "thing's" value. The trick to it all is balancing the "money" and the personal value.

If the original poster was getting personal value out of his high priced purchases, then he probably would continue to believe that the purchases make sense.

I agree that hobbies are valuable, but that does not mean that ones has to spend fifteen hundred dollars on a locomotive, or fifty dollars on a boxcar. There are scads of "O" gauge trains available on the secondary market at a fraction of those prices. Including many in new, old stock condition. 

Hopefully folks participating on this board are interested in more than just purchasing the latest release.

For collectors, there is the enjoyment of the activities surrounding the hunt. And that hunt doesn't have to be for the expensive. Believe me, there are many interesting things to collect that don't cost a ton of money.

For operators, there is the planing and building of layouts, scenery, etc.

Then there are the tinkerers, who like to buy "hurt" trains, and fix them up.

Some folks do two or more of the above.

I purchase locomotives to get trains over the layout.  When an engine no longer fills that bill, that's when I think about purchasing a new one.  My last engine purchase was a Lionel "Baby Mikado", so that was what?  8 years ago? 

My last accessory was more than that.

Have I looked at engines in catalogs and enjoyed their offerings?  Yes.  But as a decidedly non-scale guy, an engine has to have all the features and still make O-31 curves and switches for me to even be tempted.  And those are far and few between. 

But here's the rub: I'm enjoying the hobby more now than ever.

Jon 

I understand your concern.  I, for one, have purchased more engines than I ever thought possible in HO, O and G scales.  However, they represent "rolling works of art" to me.

I also have the S3 and feel that it represents one of the best purchases one can make for an engine with this detail and features so we both scored a winner.

Maybe you may want to consider a break from purchasing for awhile and see how you really feel; you have two excellent engines that you can NOW enjoy.

Have fun and enjoy!

I have to admit, after this year, and spending 900.00 on the S-3, I am just about tapped out!

I think it comes down to certain items that are must haves. Then aside from that the rest might be really good deals? Its best to keep your focus, stick to your budget, and to run and share your hobby.

My wife could give two *%^$s about the hobby, so I like sharing it with the club and my kids. Its a great stress free activity, and I enjoy everything I can about it.

As far as getting money back out of items you purchased. Its just not going to happen. I have walls full of American Flyer and Flyionel that I cannot find people interested in.

And HO items that soon will be given away, the demand is just not there anymore...

Fellas, 

Great, great stuff. Let me be clear, though; I don't have duplicates of engines, only freight!

Secondly, to those who "don't see the issue," I would offer this: "Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough." (Prov 21:5). That's the issue. 

As a result, I'm going to downsize the collection a bit, and get back to runnin' trains.

You made valuable points, Mark, and these I've repeated here are esp. poignant, from my perspective. I started the layout, in a bare basement, during the winter of 1994-95, which was ten years before my retirement from teaching. I had purchased only one locomotive, an old Lionel "bulletnose," but had twenty sheets of 3/4" plywood and a ton of pre-cut-to-measure 2x4's delivered.

I discovered that each day after school, I'd reward myself by going to the basement to continue the process of giving myself a layout, a dream since I was ten. That daily activity was tremendously satisfying and relaxing. The process hasn't stopped, and the effects of having a layout have been profound on my personal, social, intellectual, creative, emotional, and physical well-being. Acquiring the trains themselves was once the goal; now, the creative self-expression and social aspects of our hobby have become my focus and reward.

Perhaps, my experience is pertinent to others considering the question presented.

Frank