Doughless I think its possible that our spouse may have an emotional attachment to the trains and the layout more than us. If she sees it as something you devoted a lot of time to, simply throwing it in the trash may feel like she's throwing a part of you in the trash. That would be a hard burden for a spouse. It may be important to know how she feels about the trains, if she strongly associates them with you, and help her deal with disposing them in a meaningful way. Leaving the family to simply cut it up and toss it out might add to the heart break. Some people are more emotional than others. OTOH, if trains were viewed by your family members as something that took your time away from them, they may want to throw it all away the moment you pass. To me, its similar to cleaning up after myself, and considering not leaving a burden for the family....if that's possible.
I think its possible that our spouse may have an emotional attachment to the trains and the layout more than us. If she sees it as something you devoted a lot of time to, simply throwing it in the trash may feel like she's throwing a part of you in the trash. That would be a hard burden for a spouse.
It may be important to know how she feels about the trains, if she strongly associates them with you, and help her deal with disposing them in a meaningful way. Leaving the family to simply cut it up and toss it out might add to the heart break. Some people are more emotional than others.
OTOH, if trains were viewed by your family members as something that took your time away from them, they may want to throw it all away the moment you pass.
To me, its similar to cleaning up after myself, and considering not leaving a burden for the family....if that's possible.
This is one of the best replies so far. In my case, I know my wife, and myself, well enough to know this will not be a problem for her. She sees all material possessions as disposable. She would try to get things into the hands of someone else who would use and enjoy them. But she is not emotionally attached, nor would she be concerned about recovering any "investment" to speak of.
Sheldon
I had a teacher in Jr. high school that was into model railroading. I had Lionel O gauge stuff at home but had grown a bit tired of the toy-like look of everything and the HO stuff my teacher had looked wonderful to me. He had moved to my neck of the woods from back east and had things I had never seen the like of in the way of track (3 foot flex track), slip switches, and (to me) very exotic locomotives. We spent the next 30 or so years building a layout and frindship.
Eventually the need for a better income moved me away from my home town and my visits to home and my friend and layout were too infrequent and short. Inevitably the time came when my friend passed and the only instructions I'd ever heard were "the trains go to my grandson". Trouble was the grandson wasn't around the area and a son-in-law pilfered the stuff and did who knows what with it. So, on my first visit back after the memorial I was offered any thing or two I wanted. There were some things I was fond of and went to look - and found most of the stuff gone. I still picked a few things that brought fond memories and didn't say anything.
I guess my point is that his widow was the type of person who just didn't deal with his passing wery well and was unable to cope with the son-in -law and just refused to see what was going on. If you have the possibility of a situation like this cropping up where you really want things to go to a specific person or organization you need to make sure there is written documentation filed with a lawyer who can put the clamps on who takes what - even if it causes issues with the family. I'm sure the issues with the trains, his tools, and artwork (very gifted artist) have him rolling in the grave still. I'm sure this kind gentle soul never figured that his passing was going to be the catalist for untold numbers of hard feelings and the animosity that happened.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Doughless I think its possible that our spouse may have an emotional attachment to the trains and the layout more than us. If she sees it as something you devoted a lot of time to, simply throwing it in the trash may feel like she's throwing a part of you in the trash. That would be a hard burden for a spouse. It may be important to know how she feels about the trains, if she strongly associates them with you, and help her deal with disposing them in a meaningful way. Leaving the family to simply cut it up and toss it out might add to the heart break. Some people are more emotional than others. OTOH, if trains were viewed by your family members as something that took your time away from them, they may want to throw it all away the moment you pass. To me, its similar to cleaning up after myself, and considering not leaving a burden for the family....if that's possible. This is one of the best replies so far. In my case, I know my wife, and myself, well enough to know this will not be a problem for her. She sees all material possessions as disposable. She would try to get things into the hands of someone else who would use and enjoy them. But she is not emotionally attached, nor would she be concerned about recovering any "investment" to speak of. Sheldon
Its possible some of us may underestimate what these objects mean to our spouses after we pass. And they may mean more to them then than they do now.
Just speaking from experience, my mother "hated" my dad's cigar smoking. He would sit outside on the patio in one chair and do his smoking. For years, that's what he did, and that's where she knew to find him if she needed him. For weeks after he passed, she swore she could still hear him out there, probably just hoping. What now seems like an insignificant thing, maybe even an objectionable thing might take on a whole new significance later.
That may have more to do with how our spouses cope with loss than anything we can do while we are living, but its just something to consider.
- Douglas
dknelson If even Allen McClelland could not sell his house with the V&O in the basement, I am under no illusions about what will happen to mine.
.
I understand that a model railoroad layout adds no value to any house.
But, what about a model railroad layout ROOM? I am remodeling the house from a 4 bedroom 3 bath into a 2 bedroom 2 bath with a 12 by 22 foot train room. This is on the main floor of the house under central air conditioning. Plus, I live in a retirement community. If you could retire to a nice(ish) neighborhood in Southwest Florida and buy a decent house with a train room for $175,000.00, would that be more attractive to your retirement than a 4/3 house the same place for the same price? I know I am not adding any value to the house. I hope I am not hurting it.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 dknelson If even Allen McClelland could not sell his house with the V&O in the basement, I am under no illusions about what will happen to mine. . I understand that a model railoroad layout adds no value to any house. . But, what about a model railroad layout ROOM? I am remodeling the house from a 4 bedroom 3 bath into a 2 bedroom 2 bath with a 12 by 22 foot train room. This is on the main floor of the house under central air conditioning. Plus, I live in a retirement community. If you could retire to a nice(ish) neighborhood in Southwest Florida and buy a decent house with a train room for $175,000.00, would that be more attractive to your retirement than a 4/3 house the same place for the same price? I know I am not adding any value to the house. I hope I am not hurting it. . -Kevin .
Well Kevin, I don't know much about real estate in Florida, nor am I interested in retiring there, but I am a residential designer with some knowledge of resale value of improvements in general. I would say it will detract from the value.
Personally, that is not enough layout room for me, I would not be interested. The chances of finding a modeler to buy your house down the road are pretty slim, hopefully it is easily converted back to two rooms.
I would much rather have a 2500 sq ft rancher here in the Mid Atlantic, with a 2500 sq ft basement underneath........that would more than double my layout space from its current 25 x 40 size above my detached garage.
Seriously, I do expect to build a larger layout after we retire and sell this big house. As oppossed to the idea of down sizing in preparation for death........
tomikawaTT My instructions are in my will. In outline: Let the family members who want them take any track, structures, electrical devices, etc. from the layout. Also rolling stock, especially unlikely kitbashes which probably won't find buyers at an auction. Get the layout out of the garage, Recycle the metal, salvage flex track if convenient and fill a dumpster with the rest. Lots easier to sell a house with an empty garage. Contact one of the outfits that handles model railroad product auctions about any MR products that remain. Don't expect much - if you get anything, consider yourself lucky. (my KTM switch machines and MRC power packs will probably bring most of the return. I've discussed this with my wife and son, so they know which way to bounce the ball. If Steve moves into the house, he might keep the layout intact - but I wouldn't bet on it. Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - for the forseeable future)
My instructions are in my will. In outline:
I've discussed this with my wife and son, so they know which way to bounce the ball. If Steve moves into the house, he might keep the layout intact - but I wouldn't bet on it.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - for the forseeable future)
mlwjohn tomikawaTT My instructions are in my will. In outline: Let the family members who want them take any track, structures, electrical devices, etc. from the layout. Also rolling stock, especially unlikely kitbashes which probably won't find buyers at an auction. Get the layout out of the garage, Recycle the metal, salvage flex track if convenient and fill a dumpster with the rest. Lots easier to sell a house with an empty garage. Contact one of the outfits that handles model railroad product auctions about any MR products that remain. Don't expect much - if you get anything, consider yourself lucky. (my KTM switch machines and MRC power packs will probably bring most of the return. I've discussed this with my wife and son, so they know which way to bounce the ball. If Steve moves into the house, he might keep the layout intact - but I wouldn't bet on it. Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - for the forseeable future) Hi tomikawa TT. I think I was stationed with you at Chanute while I was in school for 391xo,.Are you Chuck Bechman. who was a member of the model railroad club at the recreation center, and named a indutsry "Schammel Blivet Works. I' also retired from the USAF and living in th4e southwest. If si let me know. I'll try to get you my phone number
Hi tomikawa TT. I think I was stationed with you at Chanute while I was in school for 391xo,.Are you Chuck Bechman. who was a member of the model railroad club at the recreation center, and named a indutsry "Schammel Blivet Works. I' also retired from the USAF and living in th4e southwest. If si let me know. I'll try to get you my phone number
doctorwayne Mine's going in a dumpster...trains, layout, the whole works. I won't need it, and no one here wants it. I got my money's worth out of it. Wayne
Mine's going in a dumpster...trains, layout, the whole works. I won't need it, and no one here wants it. I got my money's worth out of it.
Wayne
For goodness sakes, Wayne, you can throw the rest of your stuff in the dumpster, but, pleeeeeze, not Bertram's Machine Tool Works. There should be a prominent provision in your will bequeathing Bertram's to me.
Rich
Alton Junction
BMMECNYC Wayne, I would buy some of your stuff...
Wayne,
I would buy some of your stuff...
ATLANTIC CENTRALThe chances of finding a modeler to buy your house down the road are pretty slim, hopefully it is easily converted back to two rooms.
No, it cannot be converted back. The new master bedroom SWEET is being made out of two bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and about 1/3 of the "great room." This is going to be an AWESOME space! My wife and I deserve it. It will have a walk-in closet, and walk-through closet, a dressing room, reading nook, and bathroom with seperate toilet room.
The train room comes from the old master bedroom, walk-in closets, and master bathroom. The guest bedroom and kitchen will be undisturbed.
I am sure a creative realator would find a way to list the house. That 12 by 22 train room could be called a "home office", "artist studio", "dojo", "man cave", "media room", or whatever else it takes to get it sold after I am gone. I suppose it could even be converted into a mother-in-law suite making the house a 3/3.
I am so excited.
richhotrain BMMECNYC Wayne, I would buy some of your stuff... Hey, mind your own business. I got first dibs on Bertram's Machine Tool Works....................after a respectful visit to the wake first, of course. Rich
Hey, mind your own business. I got first dibs on Bertram's Machine Tool Works....................after a respectful visit to the wake first, of course.
How about a dumpster diving party?
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
SeeYou190 ATLANTIC CENTRAL The chances of finding a modeler to buy your house down the road are pretty slim, hopefully it is easily converted back to two rooms. . No, it cannot be converted back. The new master bedroom SWEET is being made out of two bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and about 1/3 of the "great room." This is going to be an AWESOME space! My wife and I deserve it. It will have a walk-in closet, and walk-through closet, a dressing room, reading nook, and bathroom with seperate toilet room. . The train room comes from the old master bedroom, walk-in closets, and master bathroom. The guest bedroom and kitchen will be undisturbed. . I am sure a creative realator would find a way to list the house. That 12 by 22 train room could be called a "home office", "artist studio", "dojo", "man cave", "media room", or whatever else it takes to get it sold after I am gone. I suppose it could even be converted into a mother-in-law suite making the house a 3/3. . I am so excited. . -Kevin .
ATLANTIC CENTRAL The chances of finding a modeler to buy your house down the road are pretty slim, hopefully it is easily converted back to two rooms.
Well it sounds very nice, again I don't know much about that market down there. Personally, I'm not fond of the seperate toilet room concept, but to each their own.
Again, we are here in the land of basements, cheap, wide open square footage, or in my current situation, where I built a large 1-1/2 story detached garage with the heated/cooled train room above.
My current layout is being rebuilt into moveable modules, to a plan that will fit most typical basements and will expand to fit the space. I decided some time ago that I would never tear down another layout. No more starting completely over.
So, when I go, if someone really wants it, the layout will break down in to pieces roughly 3 x 6 that move easily through any doorway.
SeeYou190I am sure a creative realator would find a way to list the house. That 12 by 22 train room could be called a "home office", "artist studio", "dojo", "man cave", "media room", or whatever else it takes to get it sold after I am gone. I suppose it could even be converted into a mother-in-law suite making the house a 3/3.
Kevin, It seems like your remodeling will make a great new space, for you and the wife. And, yes, a realtor will have plenty of terms for the new empty space created.
I'm a licensed home inspector, and have dealt with all types of realtors, but I have never heard of "dojo" ? I must be missing something really simple.
Mike.
My You Tube
It's been almost two years now since one of our train club members passed away. He had already disposed of most of his other items, but not the railroad. Can't say that I blame him, it brought him the most joy as the cancer got worse. However he did set it up that the a couple of individuals would get some of the railroad and the club would get the rest. With the club materials it was decided to auction it off in club for those members that wanted something (I got a new DCC Zepher out of it) and then what was left to ebay it for however little we could get. In club the auction raised a fair penny for the club, but it was nickels on the dollar. The ebay stuff was slightly more than pennies, but not much.
All things considered I thought that was a very reasonable way to disperse of the railroad and not unduly burden a loved one with more items that they have no idea what to do with. It benifited the club, and those individuals who would actually do something with the bequithement.
mbinsewiI'm a licensed home inspector, and have dealt with all types of realtors, but I have never heard of "dojo" ?
According to Wikipedia:
"In the Western world, the term dōjō primarily refers to a training place specifically for Japanese martial arts such as aikido, judo, karate, or samurai;[1] in Japan, any physical training facility, including professional wrestling schools, may be called dōjō because of its close martial arts roots.[2] The term can also refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese arts ending in "do", meaning "way"."
mbinsewi I have never heard of "dojo" ? I must be missing something really simple.
When I was looking for a new house about ten years ago, I told the realtor I wanted a room that could be a train room. A house she showed me had a 30 by 30 "dojo" built onto the house. It was a room the previous owner added to the house to practice/train karate. It was wooden floored with mirrors on one wall, and all windows on the other three. For some reason it was not air conditioned. The day I looked at the house it was over 100 degrees in that room.
I don't know anything about marshall arts, but I don't want to do ANYTHING in a room that is that hot. It was like a giant sauna. No good for trains at all.
BRAKIE richhotrain BMMECNYC Wayne, I would buy some of your stuff... Hey, mind your own business. I got first dibs on Bertram's Machine Tool Works....................after a respectful visit to the wake first, of course. Rich How about a dumpster diving party?
richhotrain BRAKIE richhotrain BMMECNYC Wayne, I would buy some of your stuff... Hey, mind your own business. I got first dibs on Bertram's Machine Tool Works....................after a respectful visit to the wake first, of course. Rich How about a dumpster diving party? Sounds like a plan. Rich
BRAKIE
Sounds like a plan.
doctorwayneSeriously, though, I'm not sure that there'd be a lot of demand for...
Hmmm... My locomotives are all DC.
Hmmm... My locomotives don't have lights.
Hmmm... I model 1954.
Hmmm... I use nicely painted plastic buildings.
Hmmm... I put buildings into scenic features.
Just saying... maybe some of that stuff wants to come South, very South!
I have a friend that myself and others have harped on to make up a living will. He has quite the collection in a couple different scales. He is not married, no lady friends and no family to leave it to. He finaly did and after seeing the infighting among some others when a local modeler passed away, I think he sees the reason we told him if he wanted certian models to go to certian friends. Then he needed to specify this in his will or it would be a huge mess to settle his estate when the day comes. I have also seen modelers gift certian models to thier close friends and family as they either become unable to enjoy the hobby anymore or thier health starts to really fade away. Atleast in this way, they can see someone else enjoy the model and this brings them some happyness. The name of an impartial and reputable auction house, there are several that come to mind, should also be left with the family/spouse if you have a substantial collection that would bring a large amount of money for the family. Or in a situation where there might be issues and feuding among others, as unfortunatly the death of a love one can bring out the worst in friends and family after the fact. Excellent editorial and while not something one likes to have to deal with, is very necessary as none of us live forever. Mike
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome