03-17-2010, 12:19 PM
If you've never read it, I highly recommend borrowing or purchasing your own copy of Iain Rice's "Mid-Sized and Managable" Layout designs book. In general it's good reading whether or not you're planning or building a layout. In particular, the section about finances, time and family involvement are well said and important to consider ideas especially if you are building or planning a layout.
That said, I've done some budgeting of my own (both time and money) regarding my current layout project. Holiday gift cards and a small surplus of cash enabled me to purchase the necessary shelving parts and framing lumber for benchwork. That, along with the track lighting units we already have should give me plenty to do while saving the monthly stipend (mad money) for track and related componants.
I will need to purchase flex-track and turnouts, plus turnout control mechanisms, and MRC DCC sockets for each side (along with another throttle, eventually). When I budget this and run it out over time, well, it's not looking good for moving too quickly.
There is a possibility of running into some additional funds if MRH online magazine buys the article I'm preparing, as mentioned above, but that's still in the works.
In the mean time, I'll keep plugging along with the spring contest and working on benchwork. You'll see the progress as it happens...only that may be a bit farther between than I'd originally hoped.
Galen
That said, I've done some budgeting of my own (both time and money) regarding my current layout project. Holiday gift cards and a small surplus of cash enabled me to purchase the necessary shelving parts and framing lumber for benchwork. That, along with the track lighting units we already have should give me plenty to do while saving the monthly stipend (mad money) for track and related componants.
I will need to purchase flex-track and turnouts, plus turnout control mechanisms, and MRC DCC sockets for each side (along with another throttle, eventually). When I budget this and run it out over time, well, it's not looking good for moving too quickly.
There is a possibility of running into some additional funds if MRH online magazine buys the article I'm preparing, as mentioned above, but that's still in the works.
In the mean time, I'll keep plugging along with the spring contest and working on benchwork. You'll see the progress as it happens...only that may be a bit farther between than I'd originally hoped.
Galen
I may not be a rivet counter, but I sure do like rivets!