Rail Ramblin' - How Expensive is Model Railroading?

In this video we discuss how much it costs to get into the hobby of model railroading.

[howardschabow]

I got started in the hobby with a typical HO scale train set, in the middle 1980s. It was mostly brass track, mostly Tyco, Bachmann, Life-Like, AHM, Model Power type locomotives and freight cars, and I had a couple cheap power packs. The majority of the equipment was bought used. Even though it was cheap HO scale model trains, i enjoyed it very much. I would have been 10 years old in 1985, when me and dad built the layout.

Nowadays I still typically purchase used model trains to save money, i still continue to be strictly DC only, I don't have any DCC or sound equipped locomotives. I'm perfectly happy with my vintage DC locomotives. I typically purchase Athearn Blue Box type locomotives, they are reliable and inexpensive. And I typically purchase used HO kit freight cars from Athearn, MDC Roundhouse, etc. It's what I prefer. I still operate with code 100 track, it's plenty good enough for me.

I also model in N scale, using similar types of trains. I'm strictly DC powered locomotives, usually buying used locomotives from Kato, Atlas, Arnold Rapido and Minitrix, and some Life-Like and other brands. Freight cars from various brands, but I typically purchase used equipment. And I'm using code 80 N scale track to save money.

My DC power packs are Tech 2 series power packs from MRC, Model Rectifier Corporation. I bought them used many years ago, they still work perfectly for me.

It's possible to build a nice and fun layout, without spending lots of money.

If a person is interested in O gauge trains, you can purchase used Lionel and Marx trains and O-27 or O-31 tubular track. Vintage Lionel and Marx locomotives from the past are generally very rugged and reliable, and most are not too expensive, except for the more collectable models.

I typically purchase quality used HO and N scale locomotives, for between $30 and $80 US dollars each, and quality used freight cars between $5 and $15 dollars each.


Quality used Lionel and Marx 3 rail, O gauge trains will be a little more expensive, but it's still often reasonable.

It's possible to purchase good quality track used, but you have to be more careful it's in good usable condition, and not worn out or rusted junk.

You can build on a typical 4 foot by 8 foot plywood table in all three scales, so the table or benchwork might be very similar in overall price.

[everettthepetractionguy]

I am an HO scale brass model train collector who hope to build a layout someday. None of my brass engines and rolling stock are equipped with DCC. I hope one day to have some of my brass engines installed with a sound system. So naturally, this hobby with get extremely expensive for me. But, when I finally get around to building and completing a layout, I will definitely want my engines to have DCC because of the advantages a DCC system affords me. So, I am prepared to have to pay more to get real pleasure from the world's GREATEST hobby. Installing sound in brass models, which are the most expensive models on the market, to run on a DCC system will break the bank. I expect that to be the case, and can live with it. I LOVE brass models and I love the model railroad hobby.

[Jeremiaha]

A lot depends on how knowledgeable you are about the hobby and how thrifty a shopper you are. Go to a train show with an experienced model railroader to help you shop for the best bargains. DC is best for a first layout.

[jamest]

Your right in ballpark with solid information about jumping into our great hobby. Only place I'd offer a different view is on N scale DCC.
After building 2 large double deck N scale layouts before sound became a thing we never thought about going back to DC. DCC is the only way to go, it brings your trains to life and and a joy for operation . We waited forever for the magic that DCC brings. No mass wiring, rotory switches, blocks, etc. Keep bringing your input to us, I appreciate it.

[GeneralLee]

I started 15 years ago with the Bachmann Rail king Santa Fe set bought from Hobby lobby and worked my way up. Now I run Broadway limited locomotives with the Digitrax DCS-52. I have 1 HO scale, 2 N scale and 1 O scale Lionel which is my wife’s set.

[paulpotter]

Been in the hobbyfor 67 years. Currently building my 7th layout. (Over500 sf). Recommend good quality locos and cars )less problems more reliable. Most economical approach is to design a simple layout with good quality track roadbed and a solid wood sub roadbed and bench work. You can save money by hand laying track if you have the skill and inclination. Otherwise minimize the number of switches. Keep the layout simple (which gives a more prototypical design). Also design the layout in phases so it can be expanded in the future. I figure I spend less than what I would have if I smoked. But definitely go with a small number of engines and rolling stock of good quality and good quality flex track and switches and simplify the track design to minimize the number of switches and redundant track. Natural scenery can be cost effective. Rolling hills made can be made with cardboard strips and kraft paper with plaster covering and cheap diluted flat house paint. Make trees. Good trees are not difficult. Best advice is to join a club with experienced modellers. Best of luck. It’s a great hobby!!🚂

[presidentxd]

Also add on tools, paints, solvents an airbrush etc on top of the physical trains .here in ireland its really expensive to do irish railways some used stuff is more pricey than new.

[GettingBackonTrackwithSteve]

A complete Bachman train set is what got me going in the hobby. So i think that is pretty good advice. As far as DC vs DCC I elected to stay with DC only so I could instead spend that money on building a large scale layout. I did wire it up so I could transition to DCC at a later date. Good video and pretty sound logic.

[thecnwmondovilinepaulscota]

I was given my first train set in the 70s, and it was a TYCO steam locomotive set. 50 yrs later, I still have the locomotive and the cars that came with it. The train set is just a stepping stone to the train layout, and I'd def start with DCC for the first actual layout. But before spending any money on a layout, I'd suggest determining what you want first to save time and money. Freelance? Prototype? If so, which one? What era? What location? Running or operating? Passenger trains? To figure this out and to prevent having to re-do everything, I'd also suggest joining a club, going to train shows, getting a subscription to MR or RMC, and spend a large amount of time on YouTube, Facebook groups, etc.

[BattleshipOrion]

I'm re-entering the hobby, and got a few pointers from both N and HO: N is cheaper, more space efficient, and from experience, what may be a locomotive and 5 cars in HO can be an engine or 2 and 10-12 cars in N scale. Sound is a luxury, and you should be perfectly able to live without it(I'll be going in and disabling sound on all my future DCC/Sound engines as I live track-side, and its torture after 9 years), and honestly, from this an honest price-point is that starting, you should save up $500 for HO, $250 for N, and O $1, 000. That will get you a DECENT controller, track with a siding, a decent, mid-range engine(it'll take some abuse so you learn how to handle higher priced engines), and 4 or 5 peices of rolling stock. Finally, while you're getting started, dont worry about era, railroad, or if something isn't "PrOToTyPiCaLy AcCrUrAtE", if you get transition era equipment and it turns out that aint your thing, but you still want to hold onto them, hold onto them for a preservation society, a rail museum, or track-side abandoned equipment(there are actual IRL sources of such, one that use to be local to me was ACL 20767, which now resides at the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. As for DC vs DCC: N scale has it easy with Kato Unitrack, which have built in power routing, in HO no such thing exists, but I do recommend sticking with DC for the first 2-3 years. Look for engines that are "DCC ready", as they can be converted later on. DC will allow you to experiment with engines, and with track options such as Bachmann EZ track, pulling the rail joiners off to create an isolated track section is easy. I also realize that life expenses are a thing, so I advise not jumping right into DCC as mentioned prior. Your first 2-3 years should be to see if you like the hobby, not delve head-first because you had a quick bit of interest and are moving on, and with how expensive this hobby can be, make sure you got yourself handled first. Also, if you find that model trains are NOT your thing, they rarely have any actual resale value(being brutally honest), only go DCC if you are SERIOUS about getting into the hobby.

Edit: *Absolutely do code 100! it's easier to rerail, and gets you use to putting trains on the tracks, code 83 is for a bit later on* Remember folks, not all model railroaders come from a interest of trains.

[estebanmartinez]

I started with a tyco set when I was a kid. It was awesome. Your recommendations are very good, I think.

[RailSocialProductions]

I started with a Tyco trainset back in the early 80s. It was perfect. There was some playability with some of the action accessories that kept the set from suffering from the "train chasing its tail" all the time. I was young and basically broke most of it. But, it opened the door to the hobby. Soon after, I found an issue of Model Railroader at the local book store and was blown away with what others were doing. Fastforward a few decades, I'm still just as hooked on the trains as I was with that first transet. Knowing what I know now, I think if I were a teenager or a bit older getting into the hobby now, I'd probably join a model railroad club first to find out what I really enjoy most about the hobby. Following that up with a locomotive purchase to run at the club.

[rogermartin]

Model Railroading has become proof that a fool and his money are soon departed.

[WWIIREBEL]

I always recommend buying the bachmann EZ track w/ nickel silver rails (grey roadbed). When it comes to buying trains, I buy second hand freight and or coach cars at train shows. This past november i bought a NWSL, brass climax steam locomotive for 60 bucks and a Rivarossi 2-8-8-2 Mallet steam engine for 50 bucks. Many vendors will sell freight cars and coaches between 2 and 8 bucks. DC diesels range between 10 and 50 bucks. I've seen DCC w/ sound locos selling between 80 and 150 bucks. (HO scale). These are prices for items from years past, but I have seen relatively new stuff sell for similar prices.

[goarmysleepinthemud.]

Good video, but for first train and entering hobby I would start with DC.

[OriginalBongoliath]

For a starter, I would have suggested one of Bachmann's Bluetooth sets since they are super easy to set up, have sound, and all you need is a smartphone or tablet to get it running. If you did decide to go in on DCC later on, the Bluetooth engines will still be compatible on DCC vs. DC where it will require complete conversions which can cost $$$. However, it looks like Bachmann discontinued their Bluetooth line as I don't see any sets or Bluetooth products for that matter anywhere for sale even from online model railroad retailers. The only other company that still does Bluetooth in their starter sets is Lionel in O and HO. Lionel O is a little pricey and their HO sets are not really good for the price they offer for them.

[FunWithHOScaleStuff]

Your cost analysis is very interesting. Thanks for sharing that. I've heard it said that the hobby has become too expensive for young folks and adults starting out in life.. unless bankrolled by a grandparent😉. Some might suggest skipping DCC control systems and start with LCC, a newer tech. Just a bit on how high the cost can go. Lionel sells an O gauge NY Hudson for $1799.99 and their HO Polar Express $299.99. For anyone starting into this hobby they should be told about the complexities of DCC configuration variables. Another point to raise is that the electronics involved with DCC or LCC may fail after a period of use and require return for repairs.. another cost and source of frustration. Someone starting into the hobby may as well also know it is not free from frog shorts and derailments. Despite all that I think model railroading is a great hobby and I wish I saw more young people become actively involved. Most metro centers have one or more Model Railroad organizations who would happily welcome more members and the whole "build your own railroad" cost can be skipped. Regards.

[John]

I started in HO with a train set, in fact that was back in 1973 when I was in my late teens, so its been a while. An uncle gave me the bug by giving me O-27 trains when I was like three. Model railroading has been a good hobby and even a career at times. Look at it like therapy, its cheaper than a shrink, and you have something besides receipts and opinions when you are done. If you do jump into DCC, don't do what I did, buy a quality system. Buy something expandable, read reviews and ask questions at a local hobby shop. I won't say anything in particular, but I'm replacing my first DCC system with one from NCE.

[veliborvrhovac]

Nice video and super job on todays hot topic.
HO scale collector here i have been collecting for about 15 years and still i dont have layout it is still in construction starting phase for about 4 moths now (i finaly have space ), As far as cost goes for me it is become realy expencive for me because im interested in US railroads and need to import to EU just about everything, retailers here have realy high prices most of the time is just about double than same article in US.As far ad DC or DCC i prefer DCC my prefered decoders are from ESU simply because i can get them cheaper in EU rather than importing decoders from US.As far as track goes I prefer ROCO line still C83 very good track, i like Peco and ME but again it all comes down to high shipping and import tax, Sometimes i buy used rolling stock or locomotive by the time it ends up in my hands usualy it is costing apx.same as new in US (shipping+tax ).So all in all it takes away some of enthusiasm to buy more or higher end models but those that i have i enjoy them more.
That is my 2 cents.

[ratled]

Gently used is a great way to start. Face it, what you 1st buy isn't what you wind up with. It gets you started and you can learn your likes & dislikes