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What is your MR "exit strategy"?

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  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 11:12 AM

I need to set something up.  A lot of the historical documents (maps, rule books, timetables, etc.) should probably be donated to historical societies.  I would probably want to arrange with some friends to catalog, pack rolling stock, then dissasemble the layout.  Possibly having a sale of some of the stuff.  The reaminder will have to be auctioned off or sold to a dealer who can piece it out.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    May 2021
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Posted by dennis461 on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 11:07 AM

Well, I have a photography hobby to compare.

Analog, chemical, mechanical photography is nearly dead. My equipment has very little value except for a few cameras and lenses.

The valuable stuff is being sold off on ebay. The rest may go to Goodwill vs trash can.

For the railroad, I may start listing the DCC converted locos on ebay (I only have on factory quipped DCC loco).

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 11:07 AM

ricktrains4824

I have no exit strategy.

I'm only 36. 

Actually it is a very good idea to have a will, even if you are 36.  One never knows when one's number will come up and it is best to have a will, just in case, especially if you are married or have children.  I know people who have passed without a will and their families really struggled with gaining access to stuff and legal knots.  A will cuts through a lot of that.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 10:48 AM

I have no exit strategy.

I'm only 36.

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

  • Member since
    May 2019
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Posted by BEAUSABRE on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 9:51 AM

3) Something similar to what my antique dealer aunt and uncle did when they wished to retire. Each of my cousins got to pick one piece of furniture by order of birth, the rest was sold as a lot at auction (and my cousins eventually inherited a lot of the proceeds). I think I would vary it by having my friends cut cards or something similar to determine the order they got to pick, then have maybe two rounds, with the balance being donated to the club I belong to. 

  • Member since
    September 2020
  • 432 posts
Posted by JDawg on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 8:52 AM

I'm still young, (compared to others on this forum) so I don't have one yet. My exit will be at least 40 years from now, so it's going to be a future me problem!

JJF


Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing. Smile, Wink & Grin

Yesterday is History.

Tomorrow is a Mystery.

But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present. 

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 8:06 AM

It is, by nature, a downer topic.  And I don't have an exit strategy because I have too many other things on my plate right now, such as taking care of a 90 year old mother, so I guess I'm working on her exit strategy and trying to prevent my siblings from draining her remaining funds now that she needs more care.

That said, my ongoing strategy is to continually look at my collection and sell off models that I don't think I'll use and to prevent the collection from getting even bigger.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 197 posts
What is your MR "exit strategy"?
Posted by ChrisVA on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 7:30 AM

I'm not about to leave the hobby, but I'm trying to think ahead and design a strategy for downsizing and selling off or "contributing" my model railroad "stuff".

Being in the hobby means acquiring a lot of stuff. Engines, rolling stock, structures, track, electronics. It also may mean major modifications to your home in terms of removing a large layout, lumber, etc. etc. Also, the older we get, the more difficult it will become to dismantle and move things.

Some obvious ideas that come to mind:

Option1:

You can leave it all as a legacy to your children/grandchildren etc. Relatively Easy. Not much work required.

Option 2:

Dismantle everything and sell everything off. What are the options here? eBay is an obvious place to sell of components. Are there other vendors or services out there that buy up MR estates that are good?

Not meant to be a downer topic, but I think one has to have a realistic plan for this. 

Thanks!

 

 

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