rrebell Already got rid of most train magazines, just tossed last years in fact.
Already got rid of most train magazines, just tossed last years in fact.
Contact the nearest USO, VFW, church or American Legion. A few years ago, our church was collecting books and magazines to donate to our service men and women. I was more than happy to donate about a year's worth of Model Railroader magazines.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
rrinker The only thing I really ditched when I moved here was my paper collection of MR, since I have the 75 years DVD as well as now the online archive, I have no need of the old paper copies. I did bring my whole layout, but it's going to get tossed anyway. I should have just salvaged the usable components and tossed it then. I had already whittled my collection down to only the stuff I was going to use (and a couple of sentimental pieces I can't part with). I no longer have era-inappropriate stuff. I sold off what I didn't want. If you can decide on what you want to model (and when and where), selling off the stuff that doesn't fit that plan is a good way to thin the collection and get some cash for new items you actually can use. --Randy
The only thing I really ditched when I moved here was my paper collection of MR, since I have the 75 years DVD as well as now the online archive, I have no need of the old paper copies. I did bring my whole layout, but it's going to get tossed anyway. I should have just salvaged the usable components and tossed it then.
I had already whittled my collection down to only the stuff I was going to use (and a couple of sentimental pieces I can't part with). I no longer have era-inappropriate stuff. I sold off what I didn't want. If you can decide on what you want to model (and when and where), selling off the stuff that doesn't fit that plan is a good way to thin the collection and get some cash for new items you actually can use.
--Randy
Yes, it is a loaded ? Since I don't know where we will end up, there is no planning for the next space. Hope to be moving local but you never know and moving is all on us. Household stuff is easy to decide on what to do, but railroading stuff is just too personal and close to the vest to look at like I should. All the easy to get rid of stuff has been done, years ago, though I always find more. For example I have some high quality 50' boxcars that fit time and place and even road name, but they kinda look out of place with mostly 40' boxcars and some smaller.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Not really enough information to give good advice.
Some questions to consider:
- Who is paying for the move? Doesn't sound like it should be the most important factor, but it turns out it normally is. When we ended our Uncle Sam special paid-for moves, and had to pay for the moves ourselves, our priorities of what we thought was worth keeping changed dramatically. And after the last 2 moves - our own labor as well as money - we're pretty much in the "2 boxes each and the clothes on your back" camp. Which leads into the next question:
- Are you just moving across town, or to another state? Realize everything changes when you move more than across town - the types of homes, the culture, the railroad prototypes. Moving from Alaska to San Francisco area to Colorado Springs has changed both what I want to model, and what creeps into my modeling significantly. My prototype is a free-lance narrow gauge common carrier logging line in Coastal Oregon. The standard gauge is a free-lance short line that started with transcontinental ambitions (think Oregon Pacific). The narrow gauge in some ways resembles the North Pacific Coast and logging lines near the Pt Arena and Ft Bragg areas. But the abundance and availability of Colorado information, photos, and models makes it easy for Colorado influences to creep in. At the same time, the quirkiness of railroading in Alaska has a lot of appeal, too.
- You mention a modular layout but only taking some parts of it. Do you wish to continue with the same theme, era, scale, etc.? Changing any of those could pretty much allow you to dump everything.
- Are you intending to downsize (smaller home, smaller layout, fewer modules)? This is probably the hardest decision point because you have to choose that which is most important out of what you already have.
In downsizing my model railroad stuff during my various moves, layouts and track were the first things to go. I was ready to move on to doing the next layout different and better than I did before. And the space available was always so different that it just wasn't worth the hassle of moving layouts - even in sections.
Tools - get rid of duplicates of essential stuff (that third set of pliers you ran out and bought because you couldn't find the ones from before). Also, if the tool was bought for a specific purpose, and you have completed the task, or are never going to get to the task. Any tool you haven't used in the past 3 years should probably be gotten rid of.
Rolling stock - get rid of everything that doesn't absolutely fit your theme. The "stand-ins" (those cars you have until you get around to building/acquiring the real thing) - get rid of them. Even if you are down to 6 cars at the end of your move.
Locomotives - Again, anything that doesn't totally fit your theme - get rid of. Anything that doesn't run well enough to use, get rid of. Being down to 1 engine and 6 cars at the end of your move is not necessarily a bad thing. It's enough to get you started in your new home.
Built structures don't move well or easily. They are also very time consuming to pack. Unless a particular structure has great personal value to you, get rid of it. Unbuilt structure kits should meet the same test as rolling stock - unless you actually plan to use it on the new layout in the new location, get rid of it.
These are my thoughts based on my priorities and experiences. Yours should differ. Replacing stuff that you shouldn't have gotten rid of is actually easier than it used to be. Being blunt, model railroaders are dying off, and their stuff comes to market much more than it used to. E-bay is a national clearing house for train stuff.
Fred W
I know folks here talk about Ebay and tables at swap meets -- not always practical if you are moving soon -- but just a reminder that places like Goodwill or Purple Heart or St Vincent de Paul exist. I have from time to time seen HO and other scale trains for sale there. Seems like a better choice than the dumpster for all but the layout sections themselves.
Dave Nelson
That is very loaded question. For me, I might unload anything that isn't in the current theme/scheme of things. I tend to buy stuff that I have no need for(horrible impulse buyer here!). SO those are the first to go when I do a "purge" of excess train stuff. Obvoiusly, you need to look at the space in the new home and what your plans are layout wise going foward. This should help determine what stays and what gets trashed, sold or given away. Mike
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
We are planning a move but don't know where we are going yet. Been getting rid of a lot of stuff over the years but now is the time to be even more aggresive. Layout is modular but only some parts will go.