Returning modeller how do I budget?

[C37]

Hi All thanks for accepting me.
So my story, I used to have a modern image layout with lots of late BR/EWS stock. My layout was analogue, but updated to DCC, putting in chips to those that could take them and even going as far as to wiring in chips to old locos.
My stock was Hornby, lima and Bachmann.
Anyhow, that was 12 years ago, for many reasons I went away, but I am now back wanting to build a new layout, this time in Steam Era.
So my problem?
EXPENSE!
Back then, a diesel loco with headlights and DCC compatible could be picked up for say £40, certainly no more that say £80. Now, a starting price of £120.
And then coaches, a Mark 3 was about £12 if I remember. Now nearing treble that price!
Of course I will use as much of what I have as I can.
But what can I do to build up new stock for the steam Era, particularly wagons and coaches.
I have always bought ready to run stuff, but are there kits that could help me keep the price down? Or any other options that people know of?
Anyway thanks for indulging me and I look forward to keeping you up to date as I embark on this new project.

[yelrow]

Hi, C37, and welcome back. Certainly new prices are on the up, particularly for us retired guys. I have not bought anything new, for 2 years. However, looked at my coaches last night, of which i have 76. Only 8 of these were bought new, in sets. Wagons, have 100 of them, less than 10, bought new.. In uk, you have both Gumtree, and ebay, plus members on here, regularly part with things. I. personally, dont see the need to buy new rolling stock, although, others will. My limited budget, has recently, upgraded track. john

[LC&DR]

Firstly welcome to the Forum.

You are asking a question all of us have had to ask from time to time.

If you buy new then you need to shop around for bargains. They are out there but you need to look. The big dealers like Rails, Hattons, Kernow etc. do advertise bargains at significantly reduced prices, but you have to take what they have on offer and may not find your favourite model. These are however usually cheaper than buying from the manufacturer.

Then there are Second Hand items, which can be bought from a variety of sources. Dealers mentioned above do also sell pre-owned items, and then there are the auction sites like Ebay. I have bought a lot of stuff at Toy Fairs where you do actually have a chance to look at the model itself rather than a photograph. You can usually pick it up and examine it closely. A good trick is to carry a PP3 9v battery and use that to see if the wheels of a loco turn when you touch them with the terminals. Car boot sales too can be a useful source, but be on your guard, there will also be a lot of rubbish sold there.

One important point however is to only buy what you want and choose carefully. Plan how large your fleet will eventually be. If you want a realistic allocation think about these statistics. On the UK railways in 1938 for every locomotive in existence there were 23 carriages and 700 wagons, of which most were mineral wagons. However no-one I know can manage a stock list even approaching this, so simply bear in mind you need sufficient carriages and wagons for your locomotives to pull a realistic train, and enough to ring the changes so that it doesn't get too boring.

If you still have locomotives and rolling stock from your previous layouts which no longer match your present specification why not consider swapping them or trading them in for your new plans.

Making kits can be very satisfying and there are all manner of suppliers who can let you have what you want. Start simply, perhaps with a wagon kit from Peco who now own the Parkside, Ratio and Wills ranges as well as their own Wonderful Wagon range. Then there is Dapol who sell the former Airfix wagon and locomotive kits and some carriage kits which are knocked down versions of Airfix ready to run. (The locos are static un-motored) Being moulded polystyrene these go together fairly easily, using liquid poly applied with a small paintbrush. Locomotive kits require a higher degree of skill, but it is possible to build a whitemetal kit using glue such as epoxy resin. Cleaning up the pieces before assembly is essential so you will need to invest in needle files and emery cloth, a good set of blades and something to cut on. I use a sheet of plate glass when building wagons to ensure the wheels are all level.

There will be a wealth of advice on this forum, so keep in touch, and read as much as you can. There is also a chance to buy and sell on this Forum, and you may find just the bargain you are looking for. Don't be afraid to ask.

[LC&DR]

One thing I forgot to add was that although DCC is a great idea, if you are on a tight budget and your layout ambitions are simple, think about whether you actually need it or whether you can manage analogue. If you run one train at a time and you are not bothered about sound and adjustable lights then analogue may be all you need and you can save up to 40% of the cost.

[IanS]

Welcome to a great forum.

As to how do you budget?..... Set your financial limits and follow the advice already given.

[C37]

Thanks all for your replies, very informative and helpful!

So in terms of DCC, I am somewhat attracted to all the new singing and dancing locos that have now come out. So I suppose I will look to make my savings on rolling stock. In terms of the carriage and wagon kits, what skill level do they require? I used to make airfix models in my youth so I guess this might be manageable.

As regards realism, I am not really a stickler for this, plan is to run stock from 1930s to end of steam era, (and occasionally my Modern image diesels) so mark 1 coaches and those ubiquitous mineral wagons etc. The locos will be ones I have enjoyed at preservation railways so 4mt, black five, 8f etc and maybe iconics like LMS Duchess of Sutherland and Flying Scotsman. So as you can see not tying myself into a particular era or location!

It will either be an end to end U shaped layout with sidings at one end and a terminus at the other, or a slightly shorter oval layout with a great central style island station.

Due to size (and wanting to stick with 00) passenger trains wont be full length, probably 4 coaches long. Much of my enjoyment will be from shunting operations in the station as the occasional passenger train arrives.

[glencairn]

Hi C37. Welcome back on board.

Glencairn

[teedoubleudee]

Welcome back to the hobby. Regarding the DC v DCC argument, by some clever up front planning you could wire it for DC initially but make it adaptable to DCC by arranging the wiring so as to easily link up all the separate feeds. I've known some peeps who have arranged it so it is switchable for either but then care is needed till all locos are converted.

[bulleidboy]

Welcome back - whatever you decide to do - just enjoy it - it doesn't have to be finished in week!

[yelrow]

a week, BB, mine is still being tinkered with, after 15 years.