There are several possible options here, especially for older modelers.One option is to sell it all off and wait for The Grim Reaper. I say, where is the fun in that? Why abandon a hobby that you love.
Another option is to keep it all and let the chips fall where they may. Unless you rent a furnished apartment and drive a beat up old car, you will be leaving behind more valuable stuff than your layout fit your family to deal with. I say, so what? If your survivors don't want the hassle, then let them dump it.
A third option is to compromise and downsize. Sell some stuff on eBay and maybe even build a smaller layout. I say, if it breaks your heart to do that, then keep it all and don't worry about it.
Rich
Alton Junction
OP:
If you're in HO, you might consider selling off some items on the "HO Swap List" at https://groups.io/g/HOswap
It's completely free and easy enough to use.
I don't have lots of stuff (was out of the model trains for 40 years), but when I put together a small layout about 6 years ago, I picked up stuff from here and there, some from ebay, used cars here and there.
I recall one caboose in particular, that was lightly weathered and very nicely done. Made me think that it might have been from an estate sale or perhaps someone who was selling off due to age. I'd like to have had the name of the prior owner, because each time I run that caboose it would make me remember the modeler who did such a nice job with it.
So if you sell off some similar pieces that you've customized a bit and are otherwise pleased with, consider including a very brief note about the car for the future owners. I guess they call that "provenance"...
richhotrain There are several possible options here, especially for older modelers.One option is to sell it all off and wait for The Grim Reaper. I say, where is the fun in that? Why abandon a hobby that you love. Another option is to keep it all and let the chips fall where they may. Unless you rent a furnished apartment and drive a beat up old car, you will be leaving behind more valuable stuff than your layout fit your family to deal with. I say, so what? If your survivors don't want the hassle, then let them dump it. A third option is to compromise and downsize. Sell some stuff on eBay and maybe even build a smaller layout. I say, if it breaks your heart to do that, then keep it all and don't worry about it. Rich
Well said.
My wife and I have said for years that the will is going to read like this:
"Being of sound mind and body we spent it all".
We have planned pretty well for retirement, and we will not be unhappy if that benefits the children or grandchildren at some point, but we are not going to just sit around and wait for that day.
So, they may just have to sell the house, the furniture, the cars, the trains, the HiFi gear, and the vinyl record collection (many perfectly cared for original pressings back to the 60's and 70's as well as original radio station promo copies).
Sheldon
I am reminded of my favourite Aunt who collected artwork her whole life. Her walls were covered. As she got older and spent more time in her recliner in her suite she spent even more time looking at them and she could tell you everything about each painting.
One day I heard from her daughter she had the whole collection picked up by an art consignment company to be sold as she did not want her daughter to be burdened by the job when she died. My Aunt spent the next three and a half years looking at bare walls before she died. It was heartbreaking.
Her daughter could have made that same phone call to the consignment company after she had died and my Aunt could have enjoyed them until her end.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I'm 76 and as we have no family to rely on, I have taken steps to cull my RR stuff down to the best I have. I have 6 display cases that I will put my best locos in so I can admire them when we downsize. I sold off all of my N scale stuff right down to the trees. My HO layout is small so if it winds up in the bin, I would be sad but not devastated.
As you get older you just have to accept your situation and make the best of it. I was akeen sailor for many years and had a boat for 35 years but sold the last one in 2009. The upkeep was getting tiring and my wife's back problems took the fun out of it. I only miss it on a summer day when there is a nice westerly wind.
CNCharlie
I don't think Sheldon is abrasive. I also think that folks here who talk directly about more things than trains tend to be more social than those who talk trains and nothing else. So maybe some of this is how a person perceive others in a group, or how a person perceives themselves relative to the rest of the group.
As far as the topic, I think that folks who sell their trains as they get older probably simply do not have as much interest in having a layout as they used to. Maybe its a case of been there done that and other priorities emerge as time becomes more precious than trains, or money for that matter.
I gave my wife the phone number for Trainz.com. At least she will get $500 for everything instead of paying somebody $200 to pack it up and haul it away. She has the phone number now, in case I get hit by a truck tomorrow.
- Douglas
Doughless I gave my wife the phone number for Trainz.com. At least she will get $500 for everything instead of paying somebody $500 to tear it down and haul it away. She has the phone number now, in case I get hit by a truck tomorrow.
I gave my wife the phone number for Trainz.com. At least she will get $500 for everything instead of paying somebody $500 to tear it down and haul it away. She has the phone number now, in case I get hit by a truck tomorrow.