Depends

For me I've been collecting Rolling Stock and Motive equipment for over a decade.  I have yet to build a layout, I have a prototype, and a basic plan in place so I know what equipment I need.  I splurge every now and then but only within my defined parameters of what I can fabricate justification for.  I plan to model the Wisconsin Southern, so Steam loco's and southern railroad equipment isn't on my list. 

As an example I could justify on of the Historic Steam engines operating under the Soo or UP name, and model an excursion train.  A Union Pacific Gas turbine however would be hard or Pennsy T series steam. 

Rolling stock within the last 2 or 3 decades is easy to justify, by patching or heavy weathering, the older the production date the harder it is to sell that it's still in use.  40' boxcar's aren't the norm for my model year.

Buildings are something I haven't collected yet.  Not because of Ken's reason's but most of the commercial products aren't plug and play for my railroad.  I've decided most of my buildings will be kitbashed, so I haven't found the need to buy anything at this time.  That's not to say that if I found something I could use on sale I wouldn't buy it.

In the end if you can find it at a good deal, than if you don't need it later you can probably sell it for what you put into it.  Technology may limit the sale of older locomotives though.

Cheers

Good advice

Jeremy and Ken provide some good advice.  I'll just take their comments and put it into a different context.  Start with the idea of what you want to model and then begin collecting stuff that fits that idea.  Know that you will likely change your mind on certain things over time, but the general theme likely won't change unless you are toying between a couple different eras or locales. 

For example, if you want to model modern times in your immediate area but also really like the transition era in a different area of the country, you are far more likely to collect things you may not end up using.  However, if you have nailed down the time frame and road you want to model, then start collecting now.  I started about 6 years before my first layout attempt and still have several of those things 18 years later.  

Anyway, good luck to you and hope you can build a layout before long.

I'd limit it

Depends

I have to agree with Jeremy.  If you know the time frame and the area that you plan on modeling, start collecting rolling stock.  If you have the time period nailed down to a few years go for the locomotives.

For buildings, almost anything from the 1860's on up to the time period that you model.  Buildings are much more easily justified than rolling stock that doesn't fit the era.  Just make sure they fit the area that you plan on modeling.

For automobile and signage I would recommend that you have the time period nailed down.  There is nothing that can ruin a scene more than have a 1960's auto on a layout that is staged in the 1950's or a 1950's movie poster for a layout set in the 1970's

Once you have a time period and location go for it.  If not you will more than likely end up as Greg noted. You will collect a lot of things that you will never use.  Save yourself some money and frustration down the road and spend some time figuring out what you want to model

Don

thanks for all the

thanks for all the advice...

I do have a clear idea of what i will model so i will start getting just the structure and rolling stock i clearly intent to use.

I do have an advantage...here in my country it's normal to see old tech beside new tech, that is why i will not model a particular timeline. i will model modern time but a couple of old stuff will be around. Also i will not model a particular railroad as i will do a non-real freelanced setting.

By all means

if you've got railroad and era set, then you purchase only things for those years. Saves a ton of cash, but keep in mind the size of railroad you're building,because the eyes are always bigger... don't ask how I know. It's also a good idea because lots of everything,trains,vehicles, even buildings don't always stay in production, especially now. mh

Why not build a small layout to go with them?

I agree with the idea of building and gathering your equipment as you go if you're sure of the prototype you want to model.  However, be aware that once you start operating, you may find that you don't need nearly as many locomotives or cars as you thought.  When I finished my layout's trackwork, I had close to 50 locomotives on hand, but after I started operating, I realized that I had no reason for many of the duplicates.  For example, why model all four of my prototype's GP38ACs when three of them were virtually identical?  When operating, my mind is focused on getting the "work" done, and all those details I worked hard to recreate weren't even noticeable.  Also lost were the unit numbers, so building every locomotive of a particular type was a waste of time.  The power was simply there to do a job, as it is on the prototype, so start with a very small roster and work up from there if you find that you need to.

Another thought:  Rather than just collecting models until that dream layout can be built, why not get started on a layout today, even if it's only with something very small?  Lance Mindheim makes a terrific case for micro layouts in his 9/17/12 and 12/18/12 blog entries at  http://lancemindheim.com/blog.htm .

A subject near and dear........

You may remember I'm the guy with the house fire where I lost my basement layout (along with everything above the foundation line) but was able to save some railroad items items that were in boxes and stored in cabinets.  I moved into my fiancee's house and spent about a year building an office and workshop in the basement as well as cleaning and repairing the items I had saved.  Knowing I had a 22 x 25 space for a layout I started "collecting" structure kits, and rolling stock for my new layout like a starved man!!. Bid, bid bid-pay pay pay!  Hey, I had the $$ from the Insurance, so why not?

At first I thought I was going to do Steam in the 30's Logging in O standard and On30 and bought a lot of old time truss rod and logging equipment.  I ended up getting some 1st generation diesel locomotives so decided to move the 30's to the 60's.  I fooled around with all the locomotives getting them to run well and installed sound in a lot of them.  I then started benchwork and when it was done did an inventory of my "collection" of stuff. 

YIKES, I had more structures than room, more cars than siding space, and more locomotives than room in service facilities.  I think one of my problems was all my previous layouts were in HO scale and my mental visualizations are still in that scale and not used to the size of O scale.  I really overdid my "collecting"!!

The moral of the story is while collecting stuff prior to building a layout, don't overdo it like I did.  Good thing eBay is there to sell things as well as buy them.  Now my problem is what do I want to keep and what do I need to get rid of............

Problems, problems

Peter

BUILD FIRST

hello...i tend to agree with joe. get started on a small layout that you can expand. unless you are stead fast on a layout, i guarantee you will change some part of it. i also agree with every one else as far as motive power & rolling stock. as far as structures go, they could put you in a specific time period.

when i started my layout, i knew i was going to do a prototype, fortunately i live in the area that i am modeling. so when i have the time i would take a drive to see the structures i wanted on the layout..all the commercially available kits did not suit my needs they where brick structures.  because all the structures on the prototype are of new type construction of either tip-up concrete or corrugated metal. so what i am trying to say is that structures can put you in a specific time period

good luck in you endeavors

vinny

http://www.bnsf6951.blogspot .com 

Collecting can get in the way

Collecting can get in the way of building. Some one said it here and I'm a big proponent of it, spend your money on what you need immediately.  I won't purchase anything now unless I know it is going to be used in the next three months.

I began in the hobby wanting a large HO layout and began purchasing that way, including a $1000 brass Royal Hudson engine.  But over time, I knew the room I had could not really hold the "empire" I wanted.  I bought wood for a first layout, then changed my mind on design, drew up another HO plan but wasn't happy with that.  Finally I realized that N scale would give me my empire and if I modeled the modern era with long cars and long engines, I didn't have to suffer with "small stuff."

Finally I settled on N scale and drew several plans before being satisfied with my results.  But like most of us, my dollars were going to structures I eventually realized weren't going to work for my era, and engines from roads that weren't going to fit into my Canadian adventure.

Force yourself to plan and prioritize.

[SMEAC = Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration and Logistics, Command and Signal]

Situation:  I have a room that is roughly 11 by 13, but L shaped inside so not a "full room" that will house a decent size multidecked layout incorporating a "nolix" to simulate the Thompson river canyon area.

Mission statement: My layout will depict three areas in western Canada modeling CN and CP from Chilliwack to "Madison, Manitoba" in the modern era.

Execution: 1. establish plan 2. acquire lumber, screws, glues and fastners 3. ensure adequate tools, lots of clamps 3. Get assistance in areas where more than one person is needed.

etc. etc. etc.

I find there are many impediments to layout building - collecting, poor planning, poor logistics in organizing construction and scenery, skill intimidation (I don't have the skill to do.....), poor time management, poor work habits, learning intimidation, unwilling to face mistakes, fear of failure, fear of success, and the list goes on.

So would you buy tank parts before you bought the tank, car parts before you bought the car, great ideas if you purchase the model type you planned on and the parts were the right ones for the repairs you experienced.  But what happens when you change plans, most of my HO stuff was sold off to finance my N scale layout, at a financial loss to me.

One last caveat, I have two friends (and there are lots out there like these two guys) who have been collecting for the last 40 years but have never built their layout.  In fact one of the two just went out and bought a DCC system for his layout, which hasn't and doesn't and probably never will exist.

If you want a layout, start with a layout then add to it.  I'm not saying don't buy items for it ahead of time, but put the bulk of you time, commitment and energy into getting the layout up.  Bench work can go up in a weekend; have a friend help.

...

I have built a couple layouts.

I have also built quite a nice collection of stuff.

The layouts were fun.  However, when I tore them down, the balance of what they were [wood and plaster] went Bye Bye.

I still have the pile of "stuff."

There's no right or wrong way here.

What I do notice, as time goes by, is that now with the limited run game in town, you must be even more ready and focused if you want to have something.  It won't be here tomorrow if you don't grab it today...

So you'll just have to find a way to gauge yourself, which is something no one else can do for you.