Are trains expensive to buy?
Discussion
Hi
I had a random thought after reading threads on plane and helicopter ownership. Seems expensive.
But what about trains?
I mean, let's say I had plenty of land. Surely I could construct a railway? I'm thinking full size, not scale models. Get myself an old engine and away I go.
There's no point in this question, but thought it might make for interesting discussion.
Do trains cost a lot to run? Rails themselves can't be too pricey? I've no idea...
I had a random thought after reading threads on plane and helicopter ownership. Seems expensive.
But what about trains?
I mean, let's say I had plenty of land. Surely I could construct a railway? I'm thinking full size, not scale models. Get myself an old engine and away I go.
There's no point in this question, but thought it might make for interesting discussion.
Do trains cost a lot to run? Rails themselves can't be too pricey? I've no idea...
I think a withdrawn diesel in working order would not be heinously expensive to buy (probably £20,000'ish), but you would have to factor in the cost of delivery by low loader and the maintenance costs to keep it running, which would be considerable. You may even want to purchase a spare engine to cannibalise for parts. The rails and sleepers would be relatively cheap in comparison.
58warren said:
I think a withdrawn diesel in working order would not be heinously expensive to buy (probably £20,000'ish), but you would have to factor in the cost of delivery by low loader and the maintenance costs to keep it running, which would be considerable. You may even want to purchase a spare engine to cannibalise for parts. The rails and sleepers would be relatively cheap in comparison.
I agree. I suppose delivery though is more a one off cost. Maintenance will be an ongoing cost, but a simple (ish) diesel can't be too hard to maintain?
Jazzy Jefferson said:
legzr1 said:
Rails, sleepers and a working signalling system? Currently around £1,400,000 per mile.
Bargain.
Well one would not need that in the country estate. A simple loop of track with some sort of shed would suffice. Its a garden railway, that happens to be full size. Bargain.
The closest in terms of cost would be one of the heritage lines.
Hi,
There is a market for hiring traction out. My place of work (with a private Rail network) currently has 2 Class 08's on hire from (I think) Traditional Traction - Both are in use, but on a rotational basis.
Maintenance is done on a 2 weekly basis, a guy comes down, checks them over and does what needs to be done. 08's are fairly reliable, but not without their problems, so far this year we've had a belt failure, fuel tank leak, several fuses blow due to overload and another problem when it wouldn't come out of "Engine Only".
I also understand that Pete Waterman hires out traction as well, usually 08's or suchlike. I'm not exactly sure what the hire return is on an Engine though.
Maybe an 08 can be had for reasonable money, but again a decent, well serviced unit is what I'd be after. Spares are still available I think. The cost in transporting it and maybe storing it could be fairly high though, and if it's going to be used on Network Rail it'll need to have approval and certification, which is more expense.
There is a market for hiring traction out. My place of work (with a private Rail network) currently has 2 Class 08's on hire from (I think) Traditional Traction - Both are in use, but on a rotational basis.
Maintenance is done on a 2 weekly basis, a guy comes down, checks them over and does what needs to be done. 08's are fairly reliable, but not without their problems, so far this year we've had a belt failure, fuel tank leak, several fuses blow due to overload and another problem when it wouldn't come out of "Engine Only".
I also understand that Pete Waterman hires out traction as well, usually 08's or suchlike. I'm not exactly sure what the hire return is on an Engine though.
Maybe an 08 can be had for reasonable money, but again a decent, well serviced unit is what I'd be after. Spares are still available I think. The cost in transporting it and maybe storing it could be fairly high though, and if it's going to be used on Network Rail it'll need to have approval and certification, which is more expense.
markmullen said:
Thinking about it, if it wasn't connected to the main rail network you wouldn't need it to be UK standard, you could build it to whatever gauge you wanted, if, for example, you found US trains were cheaper to buy you could build it to US standards.
It wouldn't be connected to anything.My thinking was I have land, I wish to put railway on it. Done.
I'll split the railway with you... just got to get that highland estate first...
Edited by Jazzy Jefferson on Tuesday 15th October 11:41
davepen said:
What with a bend radius of CERN....????
Two options could be something like McAlpine's Fawley Hill, or Rothschild's (Narrow gauge) at Exbury Gardens.
Failing that, join the Severn Valley (etc)
I've no idea what CERN is.Two options could be something like McAlpine's Fawley Hill, or Rothschild's (Narrow gauge) at Exbury Gardens.
Failing that, join the Severn Valley (etc)
I just fancied the idea of a full size toy train
Edited by Jazzy Jefferson on Tuesday 15th October 13:33
Jazzy Jefferson said:
davepen said:
What with a bend radius of CERN....????
Two options could be something like McAlpine's Fawley Hill, or Rothschild's (Narrow gauge) at Exbury Gardens.
Failing that, join the Severn Valley (etc)
I've no idea what CERN is.Two options could be something like McAlpine's Fawley Hill, or Rothschild's (Narrow gauge) at Exbury Gardens.
Failing that, join the Severn Valley (etc)
anonymous said:
[redacted]
http://www.porterbrook.com/http://www.eversholtrail.co.uk/
http://www.angeltrains.co.uk/
All 3 of the original ones are still with us & back to their original names after various changes of ownership. I did have a little chuckle at Angel's decision to use BR stock on the front page of their website though...
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