I'm leaving the hobby for good--Thanks for years of fun!

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone!

Well, I have some startling news. I'm leaving the hobby. Without going into a big, long story let me just say my interests have changed to music and we are making the "train room" into a family room for all sorts of activities. As my son gets older, we've decided he needs more exposure to other interests other than just trains.

It was fun meeting all of you and I thank you for your help over the years.

I know that we aren't supposed to sell things on this forum, so I won't go into that, but if you'd like to email me I can tell you what I have for sale. Among the things is a prewar M-10,000, a 2002 Santa Fe special edition set etc..etc...

Thanks for being friends to me and my family and please know the decision was based on what I feel is best for my son and family. It was not a selfish decision, even though I will enjoy the "new room" and money from the sale of my things as well.

Thank you one and all. Email is always welcome.

[Anonymous]

Amtrak Jack,

I'm fairly new to the forum but recognize your name and have enjoyed reading your posts and replies. I'm just at the point where my son has left for college and it's time for me to once again get back into the hobby that was put on hold through all of the other stuff that goes along with family activities. I predict that you'll be back somewhere in the future, so hold onto a few of those special pieces.
Bob

[Big_Boy_4005]

Gee Jack, I'm sorry to hear this. I take it you have given this decision a lot of thought. I don't think it's a good idea to get rid of the trains though. Just pack them away neatly if you can. I have heard too many stories of regret over the years. You may have a lot of money tied up, but being able to take them out and play again in 10 or 20 years may be well worth it.

It has been fun, and I will miss you here. Good luck, and whatever you do, HAVE FUN!

Sincerely,

Elliot

[prewardude]

Whatever you do, Jack, hold on to that M-10000. That thing is a treasure!

[Anonymous]

Jack, leaving the hobby for good is like saying the word-never--they say never say never. You will be back sometime. I have myself been absent from the hobby of trains, but find myself always coming back, sooner or later.
My love for trains will not fade.

[Anonymous]

Hi All! And thank you for the well-wishes and kind words.

I do understand what you are all saying, and my love for trains will not die, but my buying them and all will. I hear what you're all saying about not selling and to keep a few pieces as well, but I am not. They're all going.

Email me and I'll send you a list. Yes, this includes the prewar M-10000 and the unopened 2002 Santa Fe limited edition set. Please contact me soon and be ready to buy or else they're all off to eBayland and the sharks will grab this stuff quickly, I have no doubt.

[spankybird]

We are sorry to see you leave, Jack, as I will also miss you.

tom

[Anonymous]

wahhh![sigh][:O][:(]

Just keep some trains and some track to run on the floor, keep your accesories, somthing for you to play with!

[IRONROOSTER]

I'd keep a couple of favorites. It's good to put your son ahead of trains, but one day he'll be grown and you'll come back. I had many years where I did little in the hobby as my boys were growing up - went camping once a month for 10 years while they were in scouts. But they grew up and I started a new layout.
Enjoy
Paul

[dougdagrump]

Jack, Sorry to hear you are leaving, I have come back after being out for a very long time. If you get rid of all your stuff and you get lonesome for the trains again check out the Double K Ranch rite there in Tucson. It's a B&B with garden railways.
Have Fun ![:(]

[Anonymous]

Jack

Sorry to see you go. But sometimes it's better to make a clean break. It helps to refocus on those thing you need at the time.

As it is said change your point of view and your *** will surely follow!.

Six years back I decided that my son needed a playroom so I quite literally cut my layout in half and created an new room for him. Recently, he needed an office for his computers, he designs computer games now, so I cut his playroom in half to create a nice office inadvertanly increasing my layout space for an 072 radius curved return. Needless to say , he is very happy with his new office space.

Alan

[brianel027]

Jack, doing things in the best interest for your family is one of the most honorable things a man can do. You've probably already talked with you son, but if you haven't, see if he wouldn't like to keep something that can be set up on the floor on occasion. We all know the drawbacks of FasTrack, but there is the one advantage in this case of easy floor set up.

There's a song by John Gorka where he sings "Life is full of disappointment, and therefore I am full of life." I didn't write that line, but I sure as heck have lived it. I find the times where I want to wipe the slate clean and make a break is when those times were so painful that it hurts to relive or be reminded of those memories. But if something was good, then I like to hang on to something that reminds me of those good times and brings back the memories.

When I got back into trains for the second time, and put that engine on the track for the first time in years, all of a sudden the memories - things I hadn't thought about in ages came rushing back. And that was good. For me, the hobby today is about going back to that time in my life when things were easier and a little more innocent. And about sharing the hobby with others - especially youngsters - who seldom have the opportunity to see trains in the store as we once did so many years ago.

As for me, I'm still being confronted with a similar situation, not out of love of family, but out of the poor economy. Though my trains are hardly collectable in a monetary sense as yours are. Mine would likely flounder on ebay as I am now still struggling to find decent work. Yet my trains are worth more than a VanGogh painting to me - financially and emotionally. Which is why I've decided getting rid of my trains is not an option.

But in life, we all at times do things we don't want to do. As well as we all draw lines in the sand. We usually hope for the best in whatever decisions we make, even if the end results are not easily seen.

Jack, as you once said, you and I don't always see eye to eye on things - but that's absolutely okay by me. I admire your tenacity and forthrightness in speaking here on the forum. In this society (and even in this hobby) we so often measure a man by what he has and owns, not by what he actually is as a person. If you take away a man's possessions, it's good to know that honor, decency, honesty and some moral fiber still remain.

Come to think of it, those are qualities that appear to be lacking these days on the business end of the 3-rail train hobby. Probably the lawyers would argue with me on that opinion.

Good luck Jack and thanks for all the prior info on FasTrack you provided.

[willpick]

While I am sad that you are leaving the hobby(hopefully not forever), I applaud your decision to sell ALL the trains. it's the only way you can concentrate on the most important person-- who knows, maybe you will want a train around the Christmas tree at some later date-- if so, then buy a starter set.
I do hope that you will still remain a member here, and check in from time to time--- until then- all signals green!!!

[Anonymous]

I'm really sorry to see that you're leaving. We'll certainly miss you on here! As others have said, I would still keep some trains. You have to keep at least one set around, though. After all, a Christmas tree without a train running underneath it would be just as bad as not having decorations on it or a star on the top. Anyway, even though you're going, you still have all of us here as your friends.

[Anonymous]

but you can still post here if you want, just beacause you can't have a train room, you can still post here!

[Buckeye Riveter]

I've said it before, but I'll say it again; Amtrak Jack is the coolest forum name on the net.

Take care.

[Anonymous]

Jack;
Don't sell all of your trains. Keep a few choice items
to hand down to your son and grandson some day.
I am fortunate to have trains that once belonged to
my Dad, his Dad and his Uncle. Now they have been
handed down to me. They have been taken care of
for almost a century and so they will be handed down
to my grand children (3 of them) when the time comes.

Yes, I understand you rearranging your priorities, but
still think of that family tradition and keep a few heirlooms.

Just a thought.

[FJ and G]

Hi Jack,

Always enjoyed your posts and feel free to visit back here at any time. And, if you decide later on to ditch the music, don't be shy to return to the forum. I decided to quit buying trains about a year ago; primarily because I have enough as it is and the future of the hobby for me is not catalog-dependent, but instead, is more related to scratchbuilding and doing toy train electronics projects.

I don't know if I could ever leave model trains like you but I temporarily would if: 1: got a free cruise to Thailand; 2: got on a manned space flight to Mars; and 3: met a nympho.

Dave Vergun

[eZAK]

Farewell jack

Sorry to see you go!

When things in your life change again, You'll know were to find us!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the well-wishes you guys! You are great! The list of more than 110 pieces of rolling stock and what not will be done by tomorrow for those who have expressed interest. TTFN

[Anonymous]

Amtrak Jack

Sometimes life requires us to make these kinds of tradeoffs for our families. I am a musician also, so I can appreciate your decision and your desire to broaden your son's interest. Just a thought for you to consider though. Whatever time you've spent with your son/family and the trains are already indelibly etched in their memories. As some have previously suggested, consider keeping a few of the trains, especially those that your son may be fond of. They will become tangible links to those pleasant family times you've spent together. Either way, your family will be blessed by your personal sacrifice. Take care.[8D]

[Anonymous]

When I suggested to my wife that I might be switching to HO, she told me not to sell the O gauge stuff that we have, if only to pass it on to our son.

Jack, you'll be missed. Don't be a stranger, you can still post from time to time. This place isn't just about trains; it's about community, too.

Tony

[Anonymous]

Dont leave

[FJ and G]

"Don't Leave"
----------------------------------------------

Actually, I've seen some revolving doors in the hobby before. Sometimes, it's just a phase you are in. Never say never.

[Anonymous]

Hi guys!

I'm flattered! REALLY I AM!! But the list of stuff is out and not many wanted anything, so the big ticket items are on eBay now.

I'm treasuresofyesterdayandtoday

I'd love to stay and chat every now and then! So, don't be surprised if I pop up every now and then. You guys and GALS! have been like family to me. So, please buy my stuff!!

[ChiefEagles]

John, I tried for all I could afford and needed until I get the layout built. Someone beat me to it. Got a lot of lumber to buy. Still wish you had stored it. Please don't be a stranger. God bless.

[bluelinec4]

Sorry to see you go Jack. I have a feeling one of these days you will be back I will be bidding on the KLine Get Osama car.

Ben

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bluelinec4

Sorry to see you go Jack. I have a feeling one of these days you will be back I will be bidding on the KLine Get Osama car.

Ben

No, I won't be back. And I don't have one of those. But look at what I do have up. That is if you've got thousands of dollars. Bye ya' all!