Is this hobby still worth it?

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


You know, since we’re still talking about pricing for model railroading allow me to tell you a story.

In 1985 I was 19. Caboose hobbies was my go to store back then and Joe ( one of the owners) knew me quite well because every time I would show up I would ask him to run a steam loco that had PFM sound.

I told him some day I’m going to own a PFM sound system II. He told me if you really want one I’ll give you a deal. So I saved for 6 months and when I had the money my dad and I went to caboose hobbies.

I was so proud that I saved that much money ($1,000+) when I got there I went to find Joe and when he seen me coming he already had an engine setting on the test track.

He said want to see it run? Said no I want to buy a PFM sounds system. He said great which one? Told him the one you been showing me all this time. He said you paying by credit cards or cash? As he looked at my dad. I said cash, he said do you remember me telling you I could give you a deal on one? I said yeah, he said the deal is, pay cash and you can have the whole system (back then you could buy just the console, tape player or also include the reverb).

I said ok I want the whole system, he said alright since you’ve been in here and been a loyal customer for many years (I started the hobby when I was 14), I will give you a discount for paying cash. The total price for the whole system will be $895.00 plus tax. I said ok I’ve got almost a $1,000.00 he said let’s see what the total be.

The total came out to be just about what I had. He then told me it’ll be in, in about two to three weeks. I was sad that I couldn’t take it home with me that day but he said he will call when it’s ready.

Dad and I left and I was happy I finally bought a sounds system but disappointed I had to wait. Dad told me (and this still rings true today) good things happen to people who wait.

Well Dad got the call and so when we went to pick it up Joe said that he wanted to be here when I came to get it (it was actually his day off) he wanted to personally give it to me. I was so happy I thanked him and when dad and I were carrying it out the other owner stopped and said to me congratulations son you finally got it. I said it took a long time but I finally got it. I was so proud everyone in the store watched me and dad walk out and they cheered as we left.

Dad said he forgot something and went back in. Told Joe and everyone thank you for making his son very happy today.

I tell this only to say one thing, if you really want something you can achieve it. People now a days want it now and don’t want to wait for something. I think we all need that little kid in them to just wait it’s makes everything that much better when you get it. Especially if you’re a young man or a kid.

I didn’t know he thanked everyone until I went back to caboose for some other stuff and Joe told me that he did. I’m so grateful that there are people out there that really care.

I miss those days of going to Caboose Hobbies on 500 S Broadway in Denver. Great store great people and I will never forget that day I got my sound system. They always treated me good there.

Last thing about Caboose, kinda funny actually. I went there about six months later picked up some things and was at the counter and was paying. My credit card was maxed out (only had a $500 limit) the cashier told me it’s no good can you pay any other way. Told her by check she said ok do you have two IDs said yeah my drivers license and credit card. She said I can’t except your credit card for ID because it’s no good. We went round and round and people were stacking up trying to check out, and she was getting mad at me. Just then Joe walks in from lunch and he said hi Kurt I said hi to him and he asked what’s the problem, she told him and I said I wanted to pay by check but she said I couldn’t. He looked at her and said his check is good, she started to say something and he just said it’s good.

My chest puffed up and I paid by check and walked out. I often wondered what the other people in line thought of this little kid when Joe told her his check is good. Made my day!!
 
Last edited:
The one hobby I did give up on as not worth it to me anymore was tropical fish. I also see that places to purchase them in my area have almost disappeared. Unlike a model railroad, your collection doesn't grow. I hate to calculate how much money I literally flushed down the toilet in 20 years.
 


I'm a mid-60's Boomer and I am realistic and pragmatic enough to know that we ain't going back to the "good ole days" before cell phones and the internet. A lot of us are living out the nostalgia.

20 and 30 somethings haven't grown up with railroading. They have the internet, tabletop gaming and all the online gaming. We grew up with TV shows, John Wayne, and blued steel & walnut leverguns. The youth now are growing up with Call of Duty, Rainbow 6, GTA, and polymer pistols and MSR's.

There's a lot of ways to spend our disposable income. Nothing is "cheap" anymore. You just have to work with what you have or move on.

1751031458024.png
 
I've been model railroading for most of my life. My first layout a 4x8 sheet of plywood resting on 2 saw horses. It was back in 1957 and it was Lionel O-27. Just a simple round and round layout but it was fun. I would do errands and buy freight cars at the toy store. My brother gave me his American Flyer figure 8 train with piers. It required a larger base and my dad made a table that straddled the other twin bed in my bedroom. He took it back later and I turned to HO. Later went to HOn3 and then back to HO. I'm 80 now and have more kits than I can build and more engines than I can run at one time. Of course I spent a lot of money; but not all in ONE DAY! Finally moved to Indiana and have a basement and my layout now is much larger than before and I still dab in buying kits (even though I have more than I can build); but I don't regret on dime being spent on a hobby that I have had fun with in the past 70 years. I don't watch sports on TV, 'cause I would rather play sports than watch, so I am quite content on "playing with my trains"
 
To me, it is not the $$$, but the time spent. From a gnip/gnop table in the early 60s' and S scale, went to the 4x8 and subsequently larger layouts which brought new things to learn. Carpentry, Electricity, Paint ... etc. Just the learning helped my reading and study skills for a later time; let alone of how to find information and digest it. School library was the go to, as there was not Inet as we have now days. Would I just drop it because it consumed too much time? Nope, notta as the railroad waits patiently for me.

L8r
 


TLOC said:
I’m not worried about the hobby. I actually think it’s more accessible and community friendly because of social media like Facebook, YouTube Tube, Instagram, Reddit and forums like this. As for pricing people out of the hobby, I don’t think so. It’s always been expensive
Click to expand...
This. Model railroading IS having a renaissance because of the information age. Doing research on Youtube and Instagram got me interested enough to buy my starter set. Then I was hooked of course. I would encourage everyone to share the hobby (its your hobby) with others whether online or in-person. So many people just aren't aware of things that you can do for fun. I enjoy reading and playing computer games also, but this hobby has been the most rewarding so far. It definitely scratches the creative itch in me. Having fun and relaxing away from the stressors of life is the point of hobbies (whatever that is for someone).

Expensive? Sure, but what is a "cheap" hobby? There's no upper limit on what you can spend on hobbies, but remember you can do stuff for fun without having everything super high end. And unless you're independently wealthy, everyone has to live within a budget. Saving for a ScaelTrains loco took a while longer, but it was worth it.
 
I have been in model trains since 1970 and imo its never been better. The quality of models trains is at a all time high along with detail and paint schemes. Pay what you can afford and have some fun.
I don't follow any prototype so I can run what I like and afford. Yes items have gone up in price but the secondary market has tons of items that are even more Affordable than new. Do your homework, ask questions, join clubs if you can, have round robins with other modelers in your area.

Dave
 
@kgstakes: I never knew the owners, but your Caboose Hobbies stories are great--it was my go-to haunt too even when it was still downtown.
Twenty-five in 1985, FWIW, so I was possibly one of those who was so impressed.

I'm glad to have N-scale Supply at least. But there wasn't and isn't anything like Caboose.
 
Last edited:
Snowman said:
@kgstakes: I never knew the owners, but your Caboose Hobbies stories are great--it was my go-to haunt too even when it was still downtown.
Twenty-five in 1985, FWIW, so I was possibly one of those who was so impressed.

I'm glad to have N-scale Supply at least. But there wasn't and isn't anything like Caboose.
Click to expand...
I moved away from Colorado in the early 90’s and then I found out that Caboose was sold. I’ve purchased things from New owners and in my experience it wasn’t good. I ordered online and it took forever finally I called them to see what was going on and they told me they’re working on it. Not really what I wanted to hear at least be more willing to explain why so long a wait.

I’ve head good and bad things about it now. I miss the old caboose hobby days when everyone knew who you were. Great times.
 
Canalligator said:
You never know where gaming might lead. My grandson was really big on auto racing games. That has developed into an interest in real auto racing, especially Formula One.We will be going to Watkins Glen for a race series in July.
Click to expand...
No, you never do. I've been an online sim-racer myself since '98, and if either of you are still interested in it, you are certainly welcome to join us at over at Champion Motorsports: cmsracing.com

I favor historics racing there myself, although I've run just about everything EXCEPT modern F1 at some point. Most recently the 1967 Formula One cars.

-----

Since you mention Watkins, I'll hazard a guess you will be going to see NASCAR*...and if you do you may know a couple of famous others have done the same in years past. I'm hinting at the somewhat famous story of when Dale Jr. first met Martin Truex in real-life...at Watkins.

But they had been sim-racing together already for some time before that....

[* ...and....I'm wrong of course. If it's July, you must be going to see Trans-Am or the Ferraris...yes?]
 
Last edited:
Snowman said:
No, you never do. I've been an online sim-racer myself since '98, and if either of you are still interested in it, you are certainly welcome to join us at over at Champion Motorsports: cmsracing.com

I favor historics racing there myself, although I've run just about everything EXCEPT modern F1 at some point. Most recently the 1967 Formula One cars.

-----

Since you mention Watkins, I'll hazard a guess you will be going to see NASCAR*...and if you do you may know a couple of famous others have done the same in years past. I'm hinting at the somewhat famous story of when Dale Jr. first met Martin Truex in real-life...at Watkins.

But they had been sim-racing together already for some time before that....

[* ...and....I'm wrong of course. If it's July, you must be going to see Trans-Am or the Ferraris...yes?]
Click to expand...
Ferraris. I haven’t seen a race in decades, really looking forward to time with g’son and the races.
 
As for me, I hope that we see more small parts for the DIYers. I don't think I'll ever fork out 4 Benjamin Franklins for a locomotive but do stand back and admire them. I started in this hobby in the late 80s and bought the bulk of my locos and rolling stock in the early 90s. I used to run them a lot until I got married and had kids. The locos went to sleep for quite a while and I thought about selling all of them. Luckily, my laziness saved them and after I retired, I broke them out again and started the process of getting them running. Some are lost cause like my Rivarossi N Big Boy and Challenger. The grease was a solid block and taking all that stuff apart ended up with major issues. No parts available so display stand they go.

I bought a 3d printer and have been printing out my own freight and passenger cars. I buy the trucks and the couplers to get them rolling. I've made a few locos based on the Kato 11-109 chassis and have 6 more to make with them. Would love to see motor bogies for HO to increase my range of models that I can make. I have bought Tenshodo stuff, but they're not that good and I probably will not buy another. I put together an 0-6-0 chassis together from piece parts that I bought from Peter's Spares in England.

So for me, instead of trying to hold the market at this level of detail and charge more, I'd like to see these companies do some scaling back to keep the costs down. Diversify a bit into small parts, like Tenshodo did (super expensive locos but have some small parts).

It may be that I just don't know where to look and its already out there...
 
Last edited:


You must log in or register to reply here.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top