I've always loved trains and model railways, I started collecting Fleischmann in 1998, Hornby in about 2006 (I started to build a small shunting layout at the end of last year for my Hornby/Bachmann, it's not finished but it's playable) I've also got a Bachmann 'Thunder Valley' start set, I'm now planning a Farish N gauge layout (I purchased 370-051 in 2010!) I need to start laying and ballasting the track ASAP, now I'm thinking about buying a Marklin Z Gauge start set, am I bonkers!!!!! What do you all think?

If you like it and can afford it, buy it!

Yeah, better have a nice fat wallet once you start talking Z language 

I have examples of everything from T  to G (plus a Hornby 3.5" Rocket)   

Love it all!

go for it, one of the first people I met in Aus after moving was a gent who had a poster on his desk saying "he who dies with the most trains wins". funnily enough still friends with him today over 30yrs since our first meeting.

If you are happy to be a collector then fine. But if you want to complete a layout then you need to focus.

Plenty of people with 5+ layouts, takes longer, but so what. Buy what you want.

You sound perfectly normal to me. I have 0,00,Dublo, Lone Star and N although N is my favourite. My criteria for buying locos is that I like their general shape, colour and livery. I do try to run prototypical trains but then I get led astray.

I have got twice as many locos as I need but only half of what I want ,I have been into N Gauge for about 40 years and my very first brand new loco cost me £3 7s 6d from a proper model shop called Keens in High Wycombe ,I am what is known as a rule one man .
I like it
I buy it
I run it
It's my layout
You might see my Poppylino which was a `Christmas present from ALL THE FAMILY going one way and a 14xx loco and autocoach going the other way .
So the only thing that's in the way of collecting more locos is the lack of money
I now have to sell two older models to help buy one new one .
All of my collection get a run sometimes if I can get into the cupboard where they are kept .I allso like unusual locos such as the Co Bo and Clayton and even the L M S twins ,Lion and Falcon and Kestrel plus I have the Brown Boverie gas turbine loco. in green and black .
Bob Tidbury

As long as the first model you buy for your collection is an accommodating partner then there is no limit 

Most of my collection is financed by me selling other things OR by Christmas or Birthday money ,Though Val has bought me the odd loco in the past and Glenn bought me a Loco and carriages  back from Canada one year .
Bob Tidbury

Quote from: Bob Tidbury on April 13, 2019, 10:23:00 AM
I have got twice as many locos as I need but only half of what I want

Shades of Bilbo! 

I need a lot more

Quote from: paulprice on April 13, 2019, 01:11:46 PM
I need a lot more

Your nose is growing.........................................again

Quote from: Newportnobby on April 13, 2019, 03:06:44 PM

Quote from: paulprice on April 13, 2019, 01:11:46 PM
I need a lot more

Your nose is growing.........................................again

What are you trying to say>?