Well, after a long talk with my family, we've all agreed... this train nonsense has got to stop. I'm going to be selling off my entire collection over the next several months
I sincerely hope anyone else here suffering from toy train collecting is able to get the same love, support, and assistance from their family that I have. You are not alone- you can get help! You don't have to live like this, and you can get yourself to a better place, one with less trains in your life.
...did I get anyone?
-Ellie
El Fixes Things...did I get anyone?
Yeah, you got ME! Got me GOOD!
( I forgot what day it was! )
Thought about trying something similar myself
Same me, different spelling!
We get that it is April Fool's day ,what you describe only happens when you are dead!
Apoligies to anyone who's heartrate went through the roof, I'll think of something sillier for next year
Me and trains go way back- it's not impossible or unlikely that I'll need to thin out my collection someday, but I'm never parting with this hobby if I get a say in it! Rest easy- be it prewar, postwar, or 'Modern', O, S, HO, or Standard, it's all staying
That is more like it!
El Fixes ThingsMe and trains go way back- it's not impossible or unlikely that I'll need to thin out my collection someday, but I'm never parting with this hobby if I get a say in it! Rest easy- be it prewar, postwar, or 'Modern', O, S, HO, or Standard, it's all staying
Whew! Well that's good to know!
But be advised it's OK to "thin the herd" every once in a while, especially if you need some $$$ for upgrades. It's no sin, I've been doing it for the past two years.
Every so often I'll sell something I've had fun with, but no longer feel a desire to keep. I have a number of items right now that I'm ready to re-home... the logistics for that can be difficult sometimes. Such as when the stuff I want to part with simply isn't worth the cost + shipping to sell online, and... I don't know anybody locally who would want it. There's items I'd never part with so long as I live, and they stay no matter what. There's also items I'm not as attatched to, and am willing to let go.
El Fixes ThingsSuch as when the stuff I want to part with simply isn't worth the cost + shipping to sell online,
Ellie, what you can do is what I do, if it's feasable for you. Check around if any train clubs within reasonable driving distance are holding a train show and if they'll rent tables to non-members. For example you don't have to be a member of our club, the VTCA, to display at our shows. The table cost is nominally higher for non members but not unreasonable. (Usually $5 more at a VTCA show.)
Of course, shows are a crapshoot. You never know if the right person's going to come along who's going to fall in love with what you've got, but on the other hand you can be surprised. The last show I brought along seven Aristo-Craft G Gauge cars I've been sitting on for 20+ years, new and in the boxes, and sold them all which I never expected! The guy next to me had 20 O Gauge two-rail scale cars and sold them all which HE never expected! Both of us were in states of shock!
Anyway you know what they say, "Free advice costs nothing and it's worth the price!"
philo426 We get that it is April Fool's day ,what you describe only happens when you are dead!
Or broke
pennytrains - Here's what I know about you...Very talented modeller who also makes rather entertaining videos. Any thoughts to focusing on that, with a possible patreon tie-in? Play to one's strengths, I say.
Yes, my heart temporarily stopped on reading this on April 1st. You got me good! (and I recognize this is a real issue too for some)
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
fifedog pennytrains - Here's what I know about you...Very talented modeller who also makes rather entertaining videos. Any thoughts to focusing on that, with a possible patreon tie-in? Play to one's strengths, I say.
Problem is the only layout building company I know of that gets steady work is Trainworx.
Don't worry, I haven't sold anything (at least not yet) and hopefully (fingers crossed) won't have to. I will be getting supplemental security income from social security and I have an appointment with them Friday to finalize everything.
Plus, I have applied to an organization called Step Forward Today for cash assistance to pay the March and April rent and utilities. Hopefully I'll qualify for that and it will get me through till the SSI starts coming in.
So, I figure between the SSI, SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid and a part time job I'll do okay. I may still get SSDI, it's on appeal. But I'm guessing the SSI would be more than I'd get on disability. However SSDI would be backdated and then I'd have some cash flow to prevent me having to declare bankruptcy. (Right now I've got about 15 bucks and 12,000 worth of credit card debt, most of it not mine.)
Anyhoo, them trains are still rolling and I'm building a concrete N&W style coaling tower out of cardstock, poster board, foam core board and plastic canvas.
Tip of the day: a curling iron is handy for softening the more "rubbery" kinds of plastic.
Understood. Best wishes.
https://i.postimg.cc/cL5fGzXZ/IMG-20230402-135256-2.jpg
Curling plastic canvas.
My best wishes to you as well Becky!
This discussion does bring up a rather sobering issue about our train collections and what happens when we pass away. Recently, I have been aware of three train hobbyists who died and their widows had to deal with the disposal of layouts and collections of rollingstock and other items.
In one especially sad case the wife had been assured that the trains were worth a lot of money. You all probably know the reality of that assumption.
In another case the widow was glad to have some one at least come and take the trains without costing her anything.
So it might be kind to our wives, adult children and other family to have a plan for the future of our collections. They will have plenty to deal with at the time without figuring out how dispose of our trains.
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bedellSo it might be kind to our wives, adult children and other family to have a plan for the future of our collections. They will have plenty to deal with at the time without figuring out how dispose of our trains.
The wisest words I've ever read concerning collections were written in a "Guns Digest" annual over forty years ago. Certainly in that instance it concerned gun collections but practically speaking it could apply to any collection.
In a nutshell the author said "Be realistic. You're not going to live forever and you can't take them with you when you go. If you're getting up in years be wise and sell off the collection when you can. YOU know what you paid for them and YOU know what they're worth. Don't burden your wife and family with the disposal task, they'll be having a hard enough time dealing with your loss as it is. Money in the bank is a lot more fungible than a pile of iron."
VERY wise words and I've never forgotten them.
Yay! I found a new image hoster!
It will never pass the rivet crowd, but it's good enough for Plasticville!
pennytrains It will never pass the rivet crowd, but it's good enough for Plasticville!
pennytrains Yay! I found a new image hoster!
WOW! That's almost a dead-ringer for the late, lamented coaling tower in the old C&O (now CSX) Fulton Yard here in Richmond!
It lasted into the 1990s, then was gone almost overnight, like it was never there.
Nice!
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