This doesn`t just apply to trains. If you REALLY want items of yours to go to a specific person upon your death,put it in the WILL.
My uncle promised me for years,that I as his nephew,I would receive his collections.
He said it was in writing,but apparently he never did put it in the will.
It is not about the monetary value with me,as I would never sell any of the things,just enjoy reading the books and displaying the items. Some of the collections were my Grandfather`s.
My aunt has the collection sitting in her garage and won`t let me have them because they might be valuable......
He never told her of his wishes for me to have these things,but he told everyone else in my family......
On the brighter side of this mess with the aunt,my Uncle did give me quite a few things well before he passed on,which is another option to make sure the mean ones or money grubbers don`t override your wishes.
ATLANTIC CENTRALMy wife and I decided years ago that the will was going to read "Being of sound mind and body we spent it all", so I guess the children will have to have a big estate sale if they expect anything more than a house full of "stuff", model trains included
Both my parents pretty much did the same too. We never had any issues because all my sisters and I did was---of course AFTER--the greedy gummint got their's---split everything up---my BIL split up my father's N scale empire---that I soon expanded---and, yes, same thing will be done here-----
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
Lots of humor and lots of good advice here, but for me the humor is more likely the good advice.
My railroad is freelanced, so no one is really going to be interested in most of my locomotives, or a large precentage of my rolling stock, all painted and lettered "ATLANTIC CENTRAL".
I am a realist (sometimes called a pessimist by those who don't know the difference) and really don't care what happens when I'm gone. None of my children or step children are seriously interested in the hobby. I do not consider a model train anything more than a toy to play with, not an investment, not a family heirloom.
My wife and I decided years ago that the will was going to read "Being of sound mind and body we spent it all", so I guess the children will have to have a big estate sale if they expect anything more than a house full of "stuff", model trains included.
In an age when the government undermines all values of family, tradition and legacy with high taxes, schools that underminded my abilty to instill my values in my children, usurps peoples fundimental rights of life and property and inflicts the double taxation of the inheritance tax, what happens to my model trains when I'm gone is of no importantance to me or my children. They should be focused on regaining their rights and securing their future, but dispite my best efforts they are not.
So when I go to the hobby shop and buy a train, and anyone comments on the cost of this hobby, I simply say "well, I'm not leaving my money to the government or my evil children, both will have to get their own money".
Sheldon
I suppose that would depend on where I'm going...
What was that Led Zeppelin song, "Helix to Heaven?" Yeah, that sounds right. About the time I'm settling into my new big layout room in the Big Roundhouse in the Sky, I expect to see my engines and rolling stock pulling in and moving to staging. There will be neatly-packed boxes with my structures, bundles of brand-new track, and cartons of autos, figures and other small parts. Then, I can begin to build the layout I really want, with John Allen at my side to offer advice when needed.
Of course, if it's that really hot basement that awaits, no need for the helix. Just drop all the trains all the way down to smash on the floor. It will be an eternity of trying to get things fixed, getting "Oops, a problem has occured" when I need help. The LHS will be staffed by surly, ignorant help, and will charge above MSRP. The only other option will be Internet Trains. I'll have to spend hours every day scraping brimstone off the railheads. The lacquer thinner in the CMX car will leak out and burst into flames, and I'll have to re-ballast all my track. Hmmm, maybe I should mend my ways...
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Everything except the BN collection goes to number one kid when I reach the end of track.
The BN collection goes to the corporate offices of BNSF in Fort Worth. Arrangements have already been made with BNSF as to where the models will go.
In years gone by I have seen a widow dispose of a model collection with no idea what it's worth. Also railroadiana such as timetables and so on have been tossed out in the trash or shredded with no idea of the value. A model railroader I knew passed away a few years ago. He had an extensive Milwaukee Road colour slide collection as well as a collection of Milwaukee Road employee & public timetables, posters and other items that were original from the Milwaukee. All went in the trash upon his passing and most of his models went to the Goodwill or other charities.
I will never die . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . as long as I can stay out of the reach of irate husbands!
Seriously: WHO CARES?????
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
I hate to be a wet blanket here, but from what I've seen in the last two years wasn't pretty when a loved one passed. Greed can be a powerful emotion . I think a current will should be kept in order, no matter what Your age is. That being said, I don't have one Myself . This may seem a morbid topic, but IT IS a part of life. My Wife wouldn't have a clue what to do with all My " stuff ". I want My son to have My guitar collection,My grandson to have some of My trains. My firearm collection could be sold to help My wife out. But I realize without a will these things will go through probate court , then the greedy govt. will get Their hands in the pie. I need to get My will made out, so the things I want to happen may happen, the OP brought up a serious as well as a valulable topic here. Current inventory ? peck,peck,peck.
Have you priced funerals lately? Who can afford them -- it is just one more expenditure that I am having to put off. I already spent my funeral money on trains I guess.
My wife and I have no kids so there goes the most likely destination. Based on various statements she has made over the years I think it is HIGHLY unlikely that my widowed wife would ever marry a railfan or model railroader if she got married again, so there goes the other likely destination. But at least she knows some names of guys who buy up trains and sell them at swap meets.
My wife understands the value of at least some pieces in my collection, the brass in particular, and I have also made it clear that many times the problem is people over valuing the trains of their dad or grandfather or uncle which is ironically why they end up in dumpsters because finally the family's patience wears thin after they cannot get their price, which is over inflated.
Better to sell for pennies on the dollar than dump 'em. Having cleaned out some estates I know the fatigue factor sets in and after a while you toss rather than think, ooh if I sold that i could make $8 or whatever. You cease to care. Trains are hardly the only valuable items that are often tossed when an estate is cleared out.
The one thing I have tried to impress on my wife is that probably the most valuable items in my collection are certain books -- and that the glossy ones with pretty color pictures are generally far less valuable than the fairly drab all black and white ones.
Dave Nelson
Packers#1 Well, I'm younger than Vincent, so ask me in 55-65 years (I'm 14) Probably give them to my kids if they want them, or tell my family "take what you want to remeber me by and sell the rest to someone that'll treat them right"
Well, I'm younger than Vincent, so ask me in 55-65 years (I'm 14)
Probably give them to my kids if they want them, or tell my family "take what you want to remeber me by and sell the rest to someone that'll treat them right"
Actually death doesn't have a appointed time..It comes as it will when your limited time is up be it today or 80 years from now...A close friend lost a 16 year old son 2 years ago...
My son not all that interested in trains..
My oldest Grandson will keep the hobby alive.He's currently in the USAF and sends high end locomotives and freight cars home..
He will get all of my stuff and my Dad's collection.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Having done the deed for a friend who suddenly passed away, all I can say is keep it neat and organized. He was in good health but one day wasn't feeling so great so he headed off to the ER. He spent a few weeks or so in the hospital and then he was gone. At least in that time he had given his wife some direction to head by getting him to contact a mutual friend who enlisted my help.
We had a whole layout to remove, found pieces of locos and cars everywhere. Some boxes were there but most boxes were not. Brass tenders but no brass locos. The wokbench was covered in stuff as ours normally are and teh shelves and under the layout was crammed with those bits and bobs 'that we might find a use for someday'. We also found various bottles of stuff that were not what was on the label.
That certainly opened my eyes. Next time you are in your workshop/layout have a look around and have a look to see what someone would have to clean up for your spouse. Think of all the stuff your spouse may not know about (ie brass, custom built/painted) and at least make a list. Have a good look at the stuff you accumulated for that time when 'you might find a use for it someday'.
Assuming I don't miraculously develop social skills and get hitched with kids before my demise I presume it'll get tossed into the garbage or the eventual inheritors/home owners will make the local news about all the "valuable" items acrrued by the reclusive eccentric that lived there when they open the joint up and have it appraised.
As it stands now, we have only one child, and she is all of 2 1/2 months old. I can't say for sure that she'll be into the trains. Although she does enjoy the occasional Thomas and Friends episode on PBS. But she'd be the first to have my stuff. My wife "plays" a little, but she enjoys building the scenery the most. So I'm thinking when I go that my children will have first dibs, if they choose. If not, they can do what they want with them.... As long as it involves keeping them!!
I think they should custom build my casket with a small N-scale oval inside. They could have a solar power photocell panel above ground, say on my headstone, and run a wire down to run the train. Long live trains!!
Kinda reminds me of a song from "Oklahoma!"
To the tune of "Pore Jud Is Dead"
Poor Andre's is deadPoor Andre's really deadAll gather round his coffin now and cryHe had a heart of goldAnd he wasn't very oldOh why did such a feller have to die?Poor Andre's is deadPoor Andre's really deadHe's lookin' oh so peaceful and serene He's all laid out to restWith his trains acrost his chestTheir wheel treads have never been so clean........
We'll forget the stuff about being a mean ugly fella, a dirty skunk and an ornery pig stealer.
Andre
As it stands now, If my daughter did not want to put the effort into ebaying them. My wife would have a garage sale probably sell it out at a buck or two each, regardless of what my list says they are worth.
Just took one of those, "How long can you expect to live," quizzes, and the result alleges that I should plan for at least 25 more years. (Darn it! My target is 28 more...)
No matter. Whenever my number comes up, my layout and everything on/connected to it will be my personal representative's problem - my personal representative being my closest blood kin still living. That person will have a current inventory to work with. Other than that, I'll leave the negotiations to the survivors. I WILL stipulate that anything not claimed by a family member will be made available to potential buyers.
In all honesty, my collection is worth far more to me than it is likely to be worth to my estate. I don't consider any part of it to be an investment. If my personal representative (Arizona-ese for executor) simply dumpsterizes the whole business I won't care, because I won't know.
In the meantime, I intend to enjoy my toys now. I'll worry about the future when it gets here.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Hi,
About a year ago I brought up a question similar to this in a posting, and since then have given it a good deal of thought. I will be 65 next month, and am in pretty good health with regular check-ups, etc. My Mom is still going strong at 92, but my Dad passed suddenly at 74.
I have a collection of Lionel postwar and a sizeable collection of HO stuff (esp. ATSF locos) of good quality. I have 4 adult children, and several grandchildren - none of which has any interest in model railroading. I am a lone wolf MR, and have no close friends in the hobby.
As I have been an avid buyer/seller on Ebay for many years, I would like to think that at some point in the future the Lionel will be auctioned off by me. As I am currently building a new HO layout, I suspect the HO stuff will be with me for some time - but who knows?
My wife is also an avid Ebayer, and well aware of my trains and stuff and fully realizes that much of it is surely not "junque" - so if I leave before her, I suspect she will handle the disposition fairly well.
Ok, the above is all pretty cold "facts", but there is more to all this......... I've managed to gather up a lot of "stuff" in my adult years, and would hope that it goes to those who would appreciate it. We are not only talking model trains here, but also a collection of quality handguns, WWII memorabilia, books, mechanics tools, woodworking tools, coin collection, and other stuff that my wife and my children have no interest in having. Some of this will be addressed by our Will, but much of it just won't have a "home". Perhaps someday I'll do like some other older folks I know did, and that is to dispose of their "stuff" while they are still kicking around.
Hey, but in the meantime, I am going to ENJOY my trains - and all the other stuff as well!
Happy Easter to all,
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Great Western Rwy fan I'm 50 now and in perfect health. Don't drink smoke or take drugs, Not even perscription ones. I plan on living to the age of 125. Hopefully . That may not be a stretch with modern meds and technology.. So with 75 yrs left I like to believe I have time later to decide what happens with my trains. In the meanwhile I will just enjoy them!!
I'm 50 now and in perfect health. Don't drink smoke or take drugs, Not even perscription ones. I plan on living to the age of 125. Hopefully . That may not be a stretch with modern meds and technology.. So with 75 yrs left I like to believe I have time later to decide what happens with my trains. In the meanwhile I will just enjoy them!!
Wrong answer. And I don't want to be morbid either, but I watched my Dad claw his way slowly back from death's door without any of his future planned. All very sudden. DON'T PUT IT OFF.
That's my spheal.
Oh, and as for me, I'm in the same boat as Packer and Packers. Right now, the stuff goes to the parents, probably Dad, who would I hope keep, display, and use them. Otheriwise, it would all go to the club to be sold.
-Morgan
As a lawyer I can offer a little input, although I'm not an estate specialist and every state has different rules, blah blah.
Probably NOT a good idea to put item-specific details in the will itself (unless there's some very specific items). The collection contents can change and you don't want to have to update the will all that often. A method often used, though, is to have the will make reference to a memorandum that you can update as often as needed, and that list could say who gets what, or set up a method. for example, the grandkids can take turns picking from the rolling stock. This can apply to all kinds of collectibles and personal effects.
Unfortunately, where there's special items, like heirloom jewelry, where family members can each think that their loved one would have wanted them to have it. (one of those situations in my wife's family has gone on for about 30 years!). Things situations can bring out the worst in people, unfortuantely, no matter how good their intentions. So a clear expression is a good thing.
It should also be made clear, in the will, assuming there's some money to distribute among the heirs, whether or not there should be an adjustment if one person gets the bulk of the train stuff. Because the ones that don't want the trains, might think they should get equivalent value some other way.
Since the unforseen did happen to me with the loss of my wife, you never know when your number is up........
I have talked about this w/ the children, they know that they can count on many great friends of mine/ and thiers from my club. They will see that my extensive collection can be sold off for fair price. Some of those special pieces may be kept by my kids for sentimental reasons. None are into the hobby anymore. They can be Ebayed off, sold to certain member interested and the rest just donated to the club.
Hope this doesn't ever happen or at least too soon. But I have no fear that all my prized pieces will go to good use.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
I think that this is a very topical subject to discuss as many of us here are in the time of our lives when the disposal of our models, and other treasures, are still of some concern to us.
I've seen many older guys dispose of or thin out their collections by gifting to younger folks or by direct sale. On eBay there is evidence of people selling estate lots of model RR collections either by beneficial relatives or second hand dealers.
Most of my stuff, my treasures and the things that make me happy, will just stay on in the house. It will be up to the beneficiaries of my estate to dispose of my stuff as and when they see fit. There is no need for them to rush this as these things don't take up any room that would be otherwise used by my family once I am gone. After a while, I guess the Mrs and our kids will probably arrange for most of my stuff to be sent to a local auction house and be part of one of their regular toy auctions and book auctions as applicable.
My boat and guitars are another thing altogether and probably best left out of this discussion about MRR items.
Bruce
loathar Packer and Packers#1-Tomorrow is NOT a given. You never know when the flying fickle finger of fate may point in your direction.
Packer and Packers#1-Tomorrow is NOT a given. You never know when the flying fickle finger of fate may point in your direction.
OHHH, how well I know that. Look at my signature; and then also a few weeks ago a kid in another middle school in my county collapsed during PE from a too-big heart (I forget his condition) and died later that day. And then a while back another girl was out horseback riding and got bucked.
Yah just never know when you're going, so you can't stay hid in your little shelter.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Ever hear of something called a burn pile? That's where mine would end up. My father thinks trains are just so many useless toys even though his father and grandfather were both in the hobby with Marx and Lionel trains.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I will be dead, so what happens happens. If I don't like what happens I will simply haunt the people that did it
They will probably be broken into tiny pieces by my wife because I probably spent my last few hours with them instead of her.
Seriously, if grandson still likes trains, he will get them. If not, sold.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
I have an extra room in the pyramid for the trains.
Seriously, I need to make a list with prices paid. But the kids have first dibs, my middle son has expressed some interest so he may get them. Otherwise sell them.
Enjoy
Paul
I live in the retirement capital of Canada so I would offer it to a seniors home or activity centre. They should be able to handle a 15 x 24 Ft. layout. If none can be found then anyone who wants to come and take apart the sections and move it can have it. It has been designed as movable but not portable. They would need a five ton truck as the largest section is 6' x 18'. Of course all dibs are off for the "geezers" if any of my kids want it.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I would like to think somebody, (ANYBODY!) would give them a good home. Odds are they will end up in a landfill. It will probably be just me and my brother left at the end and he could care less.