I've been reading, responding and starting threads about stuff I've bought or want to buy. Was wondering how much the economy is affecting this for folks. I just deleted the last thing I was watching in ebay and I've sworn off stores, except for track and repairs/modifications. I was buying a lot, but finally decided, I can't afford more.
I know what you mean. I usually end up saving for a long time so as to purchase. Now I am very picky at what I get so that I know that I have the money. I only go to ebay if I am looking for something in partucular or I will go nuts myself.
Since I'm building a new layout, its "full steam ahead". I have most of the track I need but there are odds and ends to purchase as well as some new buildings and some new scenic materials that were sacrificed from the move from Florida to Texas since the "original" JJJ&E was completely dismantled.
It wasn't really the ecomony that brought my progress to stand still, but lack of funding in general. Since I got promoted at work, I have started purchasing supplies to add 2'x2' on to my 2'x4' layout. Along with a small addition for my Digitrax Zephyr and a 10" programming track. I am also starting to look for a second DCC(plug n play ready or equiped) locomotive, preferably a good steam locomotive. I also applied to volunteer at the North Carolina Transportation Muesum.
I've actually started unpacking all the junk I've bought over the years but never had the chance to use. I found a cache of 7 Kato F Units and four GP30 engines I had forgotten about, and in another room I found six D&RGW SD45s that I bought at a show one year. That was just the first two drawers I've opened! :tb-biggrin: Most of my train money is going toward 50 pound bags of Pocahontas coal that have to be shipped in from Pennsylvania! Man, the bright gold shirt I had on today is all grungy with soot!
Yes and No. Yes, I've backed off purchasing new items at full price. The exception being if a item is on sale, at more then a marginal discount. OR, it is an item I've been waiting for years to add to my collection Ie., The AC 12 from Intermountain. I'm sure that many of you have already noted...now is the time to purchase some sweet deals at swap meets. Many of the "Have's", are selling off their old analog equipment to purchase the new DCC stuff. We "Have Not's", can now pick up those locomotives... you couldn't afford to buy, back when they first came out. Over the last year I've purchased, at more then reasonable prices, two estate collections of N scale stuff. You take the good with the bad but it works. Also a time to finish up those old projects. Sitting on my work bench are loads of unfinished projects. For example I just finished getting three locomotives back up and running. I need to switch out some Atlas slow-mode motors for the older faster ones and I will be able to run three engine consists. Those motors (there's more then one) have been sitting in their original package for longer then I can remember. It's time to get with it and get it done. There is much a person can do with their collection or layout without spending the almighty dollar, peso, pound or euro. Unless you want to. Or you just can't pass on a prized locomotive, train car, building and etc.. By the way...does anyone have any powered ConCor/Kato PA B Units, they'd be willing to part with? Yes, I do know that when Kato/Concor teamed up on the PA they put out a dummy B unit. And yes, they didn't put out a powered B model. Just hopeful someone will have an answer or idea I can use. I need two of them to go with my recently acquired ConCor/Kato PA 1. A part of an estate sale purchase. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated. Now when Intermountain, finally puts out the AC12...I'm going to be in a self imposed dog house. Grin! As my labrador mix would say, It's "Ruff".
A big yes for me. It took me two months to save up enough to buy one teenie tiny bag of ground foam. :-( I've been saving since about November for the Kato SD70ACe, almost there.
No, I have no financial problems. The economic problems have no effect on me. I have a well paid job and will not loose that job. The only reason that I am cutting back expenses for my hobby are: the dollar is not as weak as last year (so importing from the US is not very attractive anymore), our customs always pick my packages and put extra tax fees on them, and I need the money for driving lessons.
Not that I have noticed, but time and inclination certainly have!(and the desired Ducati 696, Moto Morini 1200 Corsaro Veloce and new garage doors... :tb-err
If I didn't have the news media to tell me the economy was bad, I wouldn't know that it was bad. I am still digging out of two or three thousand N scale projects to finish. I did get sidetracked into H0 scale a little. That was fun and I do enjoy the club layout a lot. Back to N scale very soon.
Another reaction: "buy now what you cannot afford later". That's what drives some of my acquisitions. I hope I don't annoy too many of you, but I am not too unhappy about a slower pace of new releases. On the other hand, putting some work into those models I have, including repainting etc., is not so expensive and very rewarding. I am also a bit into antiques: now I have 3 original Röwa mallets which are almost forty years old (the model!!!). I like them very much because they are early engineering masterpieces.
i look at it that way also. Right now i can afford the hobby so i am picking up what i want, so if i lose my job i know i have what i need to finish the layout. I hate the feeling of when i need one little thing to finish a project and have no money for it. i am building a new layout at the moment so i am spending more money then i normaly do but in the end its all worth it.
Still spending the same, just not getting as much for my money now that the Aussie doller has turned into a peso.
It has slowed my spending but not slowed down my hobby. I am building all the stuff I bought when I could afford it better and actually making nearly "free" progress on my layout. I did buy some ground foam yesterday for scenery, and last week, some paint for structures, since my paints had dried out. Its not that expensive a hobby if you are not collecting new locomotives or converting to DCC or laying track.........
Not at all, it just happens that have everything I need for my smal 3 X 6 layout. The only thing the economy has slowed down for me is taking as many railfan trips as I did two years ago.
I have slowed my spending for the railroad I too have a good income with a job that should not be affected by this almost depression, but I have slowed my spending for the railroad for a few reasons. Have not had time to work on the railroad because of having to remodel the house most required because of damage and some because of desire. Yes we are doing it ourselves with some help from friends and family. The only area to lay track at is the staging area. I have all the supplies for that project I have most if not more then what I need for the layout at this time other then some scenery material. Last by not least on this list, my wife is retiring next month:thumbs_up:. I do keep looking at stuff and have to remind myself that I don’t need another locomotive or car. It has to be something that is really unique at this point. Gary
Getting outsourced slowed my spending. Saving my mortgage reduced it even more. Getting a tenant will change some of that but will also affect quality of life. Considering that my prospective tenant is moving to a cheaper place (my 3rd floor room), because of the economy you could say that, yes, it impacting on my hobby spending in a positive manner.
