N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: matt-b on June 15, 2011, 07:43:49 PM

Title: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: matt-b on June 15, 2011, 07:43:49 PM
with all my mercig models and afew others, rake of megafrets etc... i think i`ll be pushing the £3k mark, which when i think about it, is crazy!

:NGaugeForum:
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: bluedepot on June 15, 2011, 07:50:30 PM
yeh it is mad.... i'm new to the hobby but already spent loads....

but then again, sky sports, football season tickets, alcohol, golf, flying..... whatever the hobby, they all cost a lot of money....

i do need to try and budget though!!!!

i think it's good to limit yourself to an era or region, and not buy new models that don't fit in with that just because you like them!!!! have some discipline!!! ha



tim
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: michael on June 15, 2011, 08:05:03 PM
given that its about 9 years since I took the hobby up again, I dread to think!!! thousands but as you say, other hobbys cost a lot to. For example you can buy a lot of trains for the same price as a set of golf bats  ;)
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: jonclox on June 15, 2011, 08:19:04 PM
 ::) ::)  If I told you  roughly how much I have spent on the hobby and 'the wife' ever read it I would probably be beaten to death so I`ll keep my mouth shut and hope to live a bit longer  ;)
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: EtchedPixels on June 15, 2011, 08:28:46 PM
It does make you realise that despite the recent price hikes the cost of models has dived versus disposable income.

In the 1970s I saved for a year for a Hornby Hymek, and that was not uncommon. There are good reasons 1960's layouts are so often branch lines with one or two locos and small stock levels. Mind you it did mean the stock was sometimes really quite spectacular because there was a lot more time per model
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: OwL on June 15, 2011, 08:50:32 PM
I would hate to divulge how much I've spent for the same reason as Jonclox (missus would go crazy if she found out :'()

With model railways and N in particular getting better, the price will go up, especially if you look at the quality of some of the latest releases from Dapol and GraFar, but we all have our vices and mine is N scale modelling, so although it squeezes my disposable income, at least I have something to show for my money and it gives me deep pleasure to play trains, and have a railway with engines-trains that  I want to run.
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: longbridge on June 15, 2011, 09:59:12 PM
I sometimes wonder why I decided to take up one of the most expensive hobbies around but hey a mans got to do something in his spare time.

If my Wife knew how many thousands I spent on trains she would have my suitcases packed and on the doorstep. :thumbsup:

A flick through the receipts for things I bought for my OO gauge layout in 2003 came to $5,400au or about 4.000 quid, I have built another three layouts since then and probably spent about the same on each of them (http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/madhouse/dash2.gif)
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Claude Dreyfus on June 15, 2011, 10:36:52 PM
I'm feeling poor just thinking about what I have spent. For me it is also not just the actual cost of the stuff; it's the postage, VAT and handling fees ( >:( to the latter) that add to it...
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: porkie on June 15, 2011, 10:51:32 PM
I dread to think what I have spent over the 13yrs....

But when I hear my mates saying that they blow over £100 at weekends drinking  :o. 

At least I have something to show for it ;D
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: EtchedPixels on June 15, 2011, 11:19:26 PM
Quote from: porkie on June 15, 2011, 10:51:32 PM
I dread to think what I have spent over the 13yrs....

But when I hear my mates saying that they blow over £100 at weekends drinking  :o. 

At least I have something to show for it ;D

So I imagine have they - spilling over their belt ;)
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: porkie on June 16, 2011, 12:24:47 AM
Quote from: EtchedPixels on June 15, 2011, 11:19:26 PM


So I imagine have they - spilling over their belt ;)

[/quote]

lol,
yeah they have beer and keebab gutts
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: michael on June 16, 2011, 07:07:51 AM
Quote from: porkie on June 15, 2011, 10:51:32 PM

But when I hear my mates saying that they blow over £100 at weekends drinking  :o. 

At least I have something to show for it ;D

thats exactly how I look at it, and what a think to have to show!
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Lawrence on June 16, 2011, 08:35:51 AM
Quote from: Claude Dreyfus on June 15, 2011, 10:36:52 PM
For me it is also not just the actual cost of the stuff; it's the postage, VAT and handling fees ( >:( to the latter) that add to it...

hear hear  >:(

Good old Royal Rip Off Mail
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: tadpole on June 16, 2011, 11:16:06 AM
Mine's about 5k, but I also have 2k worth of EFE/OOC 1:76 buses, total 7k which is ENOUGH already!

So, N-gauge purchases are funded by selling buses, which also frees up the required space. (Buses and their boxes take up heaps more space than equivalent trains. After fees/P&P you need to sell 2 buses to fund a carriage, 5 for a loco).
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Rod on June 16, 2011, 04:16:35 PM
I've been modelling N gauge for about two months, done virtually nothing and spent about £350...but most of that was funded by selling £270 worth of continental TT, so that makes me feel a bit better...
Rod
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: bluedepot on June 16, 2011, 07:57:49 PM
to raise money i sold a drum kit, some older farish models, books etc. etc. i still need to sort out some more things to sell on ebay. after that i'll have to turn to drug dealing or prostitution to raise money for buying more trains!!!! hahahaha  :evil:
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: longbridge on June 16, 2011, 08:50:59 PM
Quote from: bluedepot on June 16, 2011, 07:57:49 PM
to raise money i sold a drum kit, some older farish models, books etc. etc. i still need to sort out some more things to sell on ebay. after that i'll have to turn to drug dealing or prostitution to raise money for buying more trains!!!! hahahaha  :evil:

Crikey and I thought I was getting desperate ;D ;D ;D :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: lesmond on June 16, 2011, 08:56:28 PM
I'd hate to think, let alone sit down and work it out. I've been modelling trains on and off for about 35 years, so it must be few ££ by now.
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: moogle on June 18, 2011, 03:35:26 PM
Let me think now...


...too much is the answer!  :smiley-laughing:

Strange thing is, it never seems like much because:

A)  :NGAUGE: is small

&

B) I've often sold items on and then bought new stuff!

Just glad I don't do O gauge...  :o
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: EtchedPixels on June 18, 2011, 03:40:09 PM
Compared with most musical instruments, or the amount high end PC gamers spend each year on the latest brick sized power station busting video card it still seems to be a pretty cheap hobby to me !
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Zunnan on October 09, 2011, 11:12:57 PM
I've averaged spending around £8000 a year for the last 6 years on modelling, although with certain financial constraints lifting in the next few months the possible budget should be rising a fair chunk from next year. I'd like to thank the fanboys for making me realise just why we get and settle for less with British outline N Gauge, so with that in mind I think I'll throw that disposable budget elsewhere from now on.
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: 4x2 on October 10, 2011, 12:04:02 AM
Quote from: Zunnan on October 09, 2011, 11:12:57 PM
I've averaged spending around £8000 a year for the last 6 years on modelling, although with certain financial constraints lifting in the next few months the possible budget should be rising a fair chunk from next year. I'd like to thank the fanboys for making me realise just why we get and settle for less with British outline N Gauge, so with that in mind I think I'll throw that disposable budget elsewhere from now on.
Too much is the obvious answer, probably about £1500 this year...

But i've got worse sins than that... My current car (Audi 80 avant) is Number 69 !!! :o  Yes, i've owned 69 cars over 16 years - that's a total spend of £36,400 !!! That's £2275 a year... My N addiction is catching up ! :evil:
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Sithlord75 on October 10, 2011, 05:18:48 AM
None whatsoever - but $AU lots  :smiley-laughing:
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Bikeracer on October 10, 2011, 07:21:28 AM
It doesn't owe me anything,that's like saying how much does my weekly food bill owe me.

Having more years behind me than I've got in front of me I don't begrudge any present or future spending on a hobby.
I only regret it if what I buy is not up to the value of the money that I've paid.
Model railways have far less consumables to buy than a lot of hobbies and have hardly any travel expenses to boot,and you don't feel the need for the latest all singing all dancing upgrade every twelve months or so.

Allan
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: upnick on October 10, 2011, 08:42:19 AM
Quote from: Lawrence on June 16, 2011, 08:35:51 AM
Quote from: Claude Dreyfus on June 15, 2011, 10:36:52 PM
For me it is also not just the actual cost of the stuff; it's the postage, VAT and handling fees ( >:( to the latter) that add to it...

hear hear  >:(

Good old Royal Rip Off Mail

At least   Turpin wore a mask    ::)
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Sithlord75 on October 10, 2011, 08:58:06 AM
Quote from: upnick on October 10, 2011, 08:42:19 AM
Quote from: Lawrence on June 16, 2011, 08:35:51 AM
Quote from: Claude Dreyfus on June 15, 2011, 10:36:52 PM
For me it is also not just the actual cost of the stuff; it's the postage, VAT and handling fees ( >:( to the latter) that add to it...

hear hear  >:(

Good old Royal Rip Off Mail

At least   Turpin wore a mask    ::)

Anyone looked at the prices of the compertition?  Out here, Aussie Post gets bagged but it is a *lot* cheaper than the alternatives, especially in the outback - maybe not in the city.
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: RWJP on October 10, 2011, 10:45:56 AM
It doesn't owe me anything, but it's cost me well over £3k... And that's just the N Gauge!

I have made a fair bit of that back though selling on my old collection of Lyddle End models...

I think about half that is made up of the 50 strong fleet of locos I own!

Ross
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Crackerbill on October 10, 2011, 12:06:22 PM
About 7 years ago I shared all my N gauge equally between my three grandsons, as I thought I would not be tempted any more.  I had been a modeller in N since 1969.

Six years ago the itch returned so I started once more from scratch. (no pun intended  ;D ;D ;D)  

So far I since my return to the fold I have spent the best part of £4000 and don't really regret a penny as the pleasure I have had from this hobby is incalculable.

Therefore I can honestly say the hobby owes me nothing in £££s.  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :NGaugersRule:  :NGF:

Bill
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Newportnobby on October 10, 2011, 12:25:06 PM
With 43 locos, 75 coaches and 120 or so wagons + controller/track etc etc I would guess I'm up to about £5-6000, but as Bill says the pleasure totally outweighs the pocket pain :thumbsup:
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: SD35 on October 10, 2011, 12:44:01 PM
I wouldn't have a clue since I got my first Grafar 08 starter set circa 1981-ish.  However, compared to everything spent on climbing/snowboard gear, music gear, beer and womenfolk over the years, it doesn't seem a bad deal considering the long lasting pleasure it gives compared to the aforementioned.  As long as we've still got a roof over our heads and can afford the odd jacket spud, long may it continue.   :beers:
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: darren.c on October 11, 2011, 09:31:57 PM
my n gauge collection of locos and rolling stock started in april this year so far i have 30 locos 20 coaches
8 dmus and about 50 wagons  thats with out my 00 stock .when parcels turn up on the door step all i here is a tut and what have you bought now .
daz
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Newportnobby on October 12, 2011, 08:06:42 AM
Quote from: darren.c on October 11, 2011, 09:31:57 PM
.when parcels turn up on the door step all i here is a tut and what have you bought now .
daz

Could be a lot worse, Daz!
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Sithlord75 on October 12, 2011, 09:32:04 AM
Two parcels turned up today and not a tut, not a bat, nor a sigh.  So I checked PayPal and found she has been buying scrapbooking supplies... ::)
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: longbridge on October 12, 2011, 10:15:20 AM
I Shudder to think what I have spent on this hobby since the 1990s but if SWMBO knew she has her grounds for a divorce ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: how much £££ does this hobby owe you....
Post by: Sprintex on October 12, 2011, 12:31:38 PM
I agree with those that have already said that it doesn't owe me anything - the enjoyment I get out of it, and indeed the cars that are my other hobby, is worth every penny!  :)

I have kept a detailed record of everything spent on the layout so far, but more for insurance purposes than anything else, and currently it's at about £4k. A few more bits of rolling stock to get but most of the expenditure will be scenery stuff now which is relatively cheap compared to trains, controllers, etc.

If I added up what has been spent on our various cars, and also what is likely to be spent in the next couple of years, I'd probably freak  :o , but again it's a hobby and the satisfaction it gives Clare and I is well worth the money. What else would we spend it on? Could have fancy holidays but then after a fortnight there's nothing to show for it apart from some sunburn  ;D At least this way we can SEE where our money has gone and hopefully continue to enjoy it for years to come  :)


Paul