I am a prototype modeler and I intend to leave my layout to the local museum. I'm trying very hard for a good representation of the area in 1955. I have already packed up a lot of the research material that I have collected and digitized for my own use. They will get that this fall.
They were great to me allowing me access to their collection including making copies of anything I thought would help me. I spent an afternoon there using their printers and copiers. They couldn't have been more helpful.
I see it as a way that others will be able to enjoy some of my work after I'm gone.
BigDaddyToo late for Howard He could be a train show, or a store for that mattter.
That could apply equally will to the hoarders-er,ahh,ahem modelers in general.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
trwrouteMy thought on this is to not accumulate stuff.
Too late for Howard He could be a train show, or a store for that mattter.
For those who don't know Howard
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
My thoughts precipitated this same discussion earlier in the year. http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/255491.aspx
It's hard on the family, both from an emotional standpoint as well as the sheer volume of stuff. Whoever ends up being your executor may be elderly or saddled with their own responsibilities and unable to value, catalog and sell and ship your stuff for what you might get at a train show.
You probably have a better sense of the high end market than most of us. I would think it's a small subset that could buy your structures in large quantities.
Maybe the Smithsonian would be interested? It would be nice if one of the Silicon Valley multimillionaires could make you an offer.
My thought on this is to not accumulate stuff. I have been at this for 44 years and I have around 5 locos and a handful of cars. I have purchased more than my fair share over the years, but when I get tired of something, it goes away. My layout is tiny. I have more books than anything. Keeping it simple makes it easy on everyone.
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
This subject has been mulled over several time but,mine has a upgrade since the last time after talking to my Grandson about my collection..
My oldest Grandson gets my stuff and if he doesn't want some of the items I lined up a train show dealer to buy them.
The reason for that is my Grandson is more into the accurate cars,correct road specific locomotive details and DCC and that's why I contacted a train show dealer to buy what my Grandson doesn't want.
I know the dealer well enough to know he will pay top dollar for my collection..
IMHO that save a lot of hassle getting rid of my models.
As we get older (I'm now 78) I'm beginnng to start thinking about what will become of my pike and collection after I venture to the big roundhouse upstairs. I ain't planning on leaving just yet, but some of my contempories have done so.
Fortunaltely many of these folks had managable layouts and accumulations of trains. For those who have visited my pike or have read my book may know something a bit different.
I'd love to listen to ideas about this....sure I know many options, but none are really too attractive for my wife and my two children.
All thoughts will be greatly apprediated,
HZ