Is there a cure for this sickness, got to have more stuff?

[cnw400]

Some suggestions-

As already stated, limit the era, the roadnames, and the locale that you model.

Improve your trackwork.

Get into scenery making, super detailing, or structures.

Hand lay your track.

Finish something that is functional, but not quite done.

Explore operation.

Study the history of your era, roadname, and locale.

Lighting, animation, and effects.

Build stuff, learn stuff, operate stuff, don't just buy stuff!

 

If satisfaction derives from getting more stuff, then you are stuck in the buying mode. 

[Medina1128]

Oh, I have the disorder, alright, but I also have the cure: my wife. She once asked me, "how many locomotives do you need?" This was after her purchase of another diamond ring. She hasn't asked that since. I found that setting limits (budget) on what I can spend during the year helps, and STICK TO IT!! Remember, you're not the government, that can magically make money appear, only to be begging for more (in tax hikes, bond sales)... hmmm.. maybe I'm onto something.

[lvanhen]

Ok, I've got 110+ locos, and God only knows how many freight & passenger cars, but my collection started aver 40 years ago!  I hate to throw or give anything away!!  The grandson has now started to build a few kits - it's amazing some of the I bought years ago, how about a Tyco UP stock car in a yellow that almost glows in the dark!!  Or Ambroid or Varney kits!!  The big problem is that untill I retire comepletely and move, I'm stuck with a 4x8!!  Talk about stop buying when they cover the tracks - the stuff would cover several 4x8 tables without track!!  Guess I "got the bug" too!

[CAZEPHYR]

 

There is no real cure for adding to the locomotive collection if you like trains.

     

You should set a limit if you want to avoid renting a storage area for the overflow.  

 

[DaveInTheHat]

You have OCTSD. Obsesive Compulisve Train Stuff Disorder. I found the only cure is unemployment.

[selector]

The growing numbers of MRR items you have is a symptom of enjoying the rush from spending money.  It makes you feel more powerful, more fulfilled, more in control.  In other words, it is your personality that is generating this impulse.  Unfortunately, it won't go away with any ease and must come from within.  Some strategies may sound promising, like the one about limiting your era, and I warrant that it may work to some extent.  Unfortunately, by limiting your horizons, you will simply turn more stones looking for the nice-to-haves in a narrower pasture.  You will turn to brass and get a new rush from that pursuit.  You will begin to find other manufacturers who are not always for sale on ebay.  In other words, your strategy will change to help you to keep getting the rush.

Sorry, Bud, but you will need some form of intervention ($$$) in order to get over this need for pleasure.

[RedGrey62]

I have to echo Simon's advise as well.  While my era is a bit more ambiguous (the 60's), I have limited my purchases to CB&Q, mainly Lines West around the Omaha, NE area.  The cars I buy are mainly roads that directly interchanged with the Q and I am trying to get a prototypical as possible without crossing that invisible line (rivet counter!).  Mainly because my modelling skills are average and my willingness to cut into a 60 dollar passenger car to make it just a little more correct is just not there.

Rick

[tstage]

Ken,

Simon has given you a fire sure way of stemming your buying habits.  My era is early 40s - New York Central - Freight depot and fueling facility.  That pretty much limits my roster to early diesels (S1s, VO-660s, and FTs) and freight steamers (0-6-0s, 0-8-0s, 2-8-2s, and 4-8-2s). 

Mohawks (4-8-2s) are pretty much only available in brass and probably a little too long to comfortably navigate my 4 x 8.  I already have diesel switchers (a S1 and VO-660) so I really don't need (nor have room for) a 0-6-0 or 0-8-0.  My yard is also full of rolling stock.  And I don't buy any cars that have BLT dates or NEW dates younger than 1944.  It works for me...

Tom 

[hmmwvnut]

Well Ken, your not the only one!!!!   LOL

I too have the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder to collect trains!!  LOL

My collection of loco's alone is over 350!  Not to mention about 18 complete sets of passenger cars, and God only knows how many freight cars.  However!  The coolest thing is to be able to walk into any club and get raised eyebrows of what I have!  I have two Trix Big Boys, 1 Precision Craft Big Boy, about 6 Rivarossi Big Boys, 2 BLI Cab Forwards, 12 Proto 2000 Mallets, 5 Athearn Challengers, 2 Alleghenys, 2 Class A N&W's just to name my large steam locos!

But I also have 2 Brawa Talent V, Trix AVE, Mehano Blue Tiger, Tenshodo Shinkansen, Hornby Eurostar, Roco S3/6 in blue, and Bachman DMUs....just to name a few really cool sets!

So, all I can say is just enjoy what you have, keep collecting, and who the hell cares what people think if they say you have too much!

[simon1966]

Ken, the best thing I did was to set some limits.

Define the location and the date.  At least for the purposes of purchasing new equipment.  1961 was the year.  Anything that dates from after that is off limits.  The Q and Wabash are the roads (plus a little CNW) any other loco is off limits.  When the frieght car roster can fill the entire layout with no space to run a train, stop!!

[cudaken]

 What is it with my self and other people here that makes us want more train stuff? I have seen roster posted here that have around 50 to 100 + engines a lone. My self and doing this less than a year. My list so far.

 

 Engines

Proto 2000

E-6 A                2

E-6 B                1

BL-2                 4

 

Proto 1000

Erie Built A      1

Erie Built B      1

 

Athearn Engines

F 7-A                1

F 7- B               1

FP-45's             5 one used for parts

C 44 Dash 8      1 Started as an Athearn we think

GE-C                2

SD-45               1

 

Bachman Spectrum

GE  8-40C        1

 

Bachman Plus

GS-4 Daylight.  1 Steam

GS-4 War Baby 1 Steam

 

Broadway Limited

Class J 4-8-4 # 611       (Big Bucks and DCC)

J1E Hudson 4-8-4         (Big Bucks and DCC)

Tyco

2-8-0 Steam      1 Broken

 

AMH

FP-45                1 Run's great but low pulling power

 

Life Like

GP-30                3

F7-A                  3

MISC                2

 

Dummies          4

 

Total                  38 + 6 for tenders 44

 

Coal Car's        12 

 

Tank Cars

64 Footers         5 

45 Footers         7 One need's repair went Air Born

 

Gondola

50 Footers         9

40 Footers         9

 

Cover Hoppers

 

Old Dutch         25 on the board

65 Footers         3

 

Box Cars Counts INC REFFERS Cattle cars ETC

40 Footers         33

50 Footers         35

 

Crane                 1

Work Car           1

Light Car           1

 

Flat Cars            2

 

Car Total          143

 

Cabooses           15

 

Passengers         9

 

 Grand Total      211 give or take some. Count's oil tenders.     

 That does not count the F-2 PK's with sound or the HO BROADWAY LIMITED 004 PRR M1a 4-8-2 DCC & SOUND #6743 I just bought.

 I have to step back now and wonder why I am doing this. Half the engines and rollin stock is sitting wating to be used if ever again.

 Is it the quest because we want the biggest and best?

 Is it because we are not happy with are 1:1 life?

 Is it the trill of E-bay?

 I need another BLI like I need a hole in the head. But yet there is a nother one coming?

 One thing, MR Gibson should not think ill of my taste in engines now.

 

                    Buying again Cuda Ken