Railroadiana collector?

[Bergie]

Do you collect any type of railroadiana (i.e. railroad china, lanterns, timetables, etc.)? Vote then share you comments below.


Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.

[Anonymous]

I cut out pictures of steam locomotives from old calenders, frame them, then hang them on my walls. For the past few years I have been getting the little locomotives and cars put out each year by Hallmark for Christmas trees decorations. Friends and family pick up odds and ends, heck I've even got Mickey Mouse riding the locomotive from the Run Away Mine Ride.

[Kathi Kube]

Technically, I suppose I'm not a collector—at least I haven't paid for anything yet. But I do have a nice collection of spikes and assorted "rusty metal things" I've picked up trackside. Does that count?

[vsmith]

My model train stuff is already pushing the limits here, so no, I dont collect other than books.

[Anonymous]

I collect any of the old CB&Q manuals and rule books that I come across.

[ironhorseman]

Collector or Accumulator? I'll have to go through my "stuff" [:D] and see what I have is a collection or an accumulation. (probably the latter) [;)] Boy this will be fun! This gives me an excuse to organize [:)]

But I will say, if it has anything to do with train I'll probably latch onto it.

P.S. railroadiana is not recognized by my spellchecker, gonna have to change that [;)]

[Anonymous]

What is a collector anyway? A collector is actually a caretaker for the next generation. He aquires and cares for a group of things that are near and dear to his heart. Collecting can be both long and short term, sometimes starting in childhood. In my case it is anything railroad hardware, especially anything from the Erie. I collect and run o gague highrail, I collect full relief locomotive paperweights, lanterns, tools, right of way signage, as I said just about anything railroad. The real joy is in the hunt, and then being able to sit back and enjoy your collection.

[JoeKoh]

not only do I collect railroad stuff(signs pictures posters etc) friends and family find stuff at auctions for me.A guy found a set of prints for me don't know who did them yet but there is fun too.
stay safe
Joe

[Anonymous]

I collect any and all train things. I have 7 lanterns 1 red and green switch sign,1 car track block lots of spikes from cass scenic rr alot of photos found at flea markets charlie 4 akron ohio

[Anonymous]

I collect mostly timetables and related items, such as a few Official Guides, rulebooks, stationlists, and items of that nature. No hardware at all. Paper only.

[Anonymous]

I have a Chessie pocket watch that was my great uncle's who used to be a breakman
for chessie.

[Anonymous]

Mostly books, but also anything else that happens to come by, on the Pacific Electric.

[Anonymous]

Some china (CP and CN), a rear marker lantern, photos, switch signs, photos.

[Anonymous]

Besides all my model trains I have a lot of railroadiana. Like Kathi, I gather up spikes and assorted "rusty things" from the trackside, but the majority of it is in boxes in the garage (and believe me, there's a lot of it!). Other stuff I've found at trackside are plastic bottles for "CP Rail Natural Spring Water" and pieces of fiberglass shaped like the ends of rails (not sure what you call these). I've also found in the junk pile a switch lock (cut open, so unusable) and other neat things. My uncle managed to get me the crossbucks from a railroad crossing that was being taken out that were going to be thrown away that now hangs on the wall of my train room. I've also got a few old lanterns (both kerosine and battery). I found a large framed picture at a garage sale of a nice scene in the Rockies with a small CN logo in the corner that I assume came from a station. I also have a large collection of old railroad magazine ads from the 50's. The list goes on. I basically collect any railroad-related item that I can get my hands on.

[Anonymous]

I don't consider myself a collector but I have accumulated a few things over the years, books, passenger tickets, framed photos and paintings, time tables, maps, tie tacks, money clips, various RR pins, CSX belt buckle, CSX operations manual and a lantern and probably a few more things I can't remember.
Bee Line

[Anonymous]

Have been collecting since I was a kid. Have been very lucky to have been
given so very much . Also have bought at shows, traded with others, & on
EBay. Am especially interested in Milw Road & NYCS. Other major interests
include: Dining Car Menus, Ticket Dater Dies, & RPO items. Like others that have replyed, I consider myself a protector of history for the next generation.
So much that seems unimportant now, will be of interest to others in 25 years.
Cheers, & Good Collecting, whatever it is.
Bob

[h42man]

I don't really pursue collecting Railroadiana but through the years I could never resist picking up RR items with I.D. or logos. So because of this, in addition to my model RR items and 30 yrs of MR & RMC, I have a collection of the usual items such as: Timetables, Lanterns, Marker lights, Oilers, A***rays, Calenders, Tickets, etc. My family and friends adds to this collection.
h42man

[Anonymous]

i collect old stock certificates(scripophily)of railroads from central pa.....mainly PRR

[Anonymous]

I pick up things when I can.Most of the fallen flag railroad items are taken and what is out there is to high to purchase. I have some old items along with a large collection of model trains

[Anonymous]

When I purchased a depot and turned it into a visitor center, I had planned to just display the few RR things (signs and some of late husband's HO trains). People have kept bringing items to put on display (pictures, calendars, RR record books, etc.) and also found a few items in the building itself - so now we have a small RR museum here. Late last summer I purchased a car inspector's lantern while on vacation - can you imagine the "fun" I had getting that thru security in the airport??? Got thru tho.

[Anonymous]

I think I'd have to call myself an accumulator--of sorts.[:D]

I have over 300 glass insulators from the old N&W (now NS) Pocahontas Division, along with an old operable lock, tie plates/spikes, and a couple of different picnic coolers.

I also collect anything from the Rock Island, or ROCK, as it was known through 31March, 1980. Sadly--it's only a memory now. Anybody got items for RI they'd part with????[:D]

[Modelcar]

......No not a real collector but probably like some of the others...an accumulator of "things". Have a lantern...and it's now on loan to our new Trail Head Depot that will also have a small collection of "railroad stuff" on display. I of course dabble in taking photos of rail stuff when I find appropriate places to do so....and have old TRAINS mags. and also RAILROAD mag's. dating back to early 40's. I NEVER throw away a TRAINS mag. Have a Ho train set, but it's in a box, not displayed. Wish I had some of he 027's I had as a child. Marx and Lionel. Stuff from the late 30's. and early 40's. Have a booklet of the Pennsylvania RR from Kalmbach Publishing Co. and the date I received it...1944..! It is rather large in size and has many black and white photos of the Pennsy and brief write up of the subject in the photos. It is Id'd inside by "Book 8"....On the cover it says "Trains Album of Photographs"...PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD.

[Anonymous]

I'm so bad I'm even part owner of a tourist railroad - very hard work and very expensive. But I love railroading and love it when the children - young and old- climb into the engineers seat of our E8 and blow the whistle. The big railroad keeps me so busy haven't even had time to set up my G scale garden railroad. I love old railroad tools, even have to use them sometimes!

[Anonymous]

I've collected just about everything I can get on the B&O, WM. Being from western Maryland, one could say its in the blood. I also have the only 2 remaining drawings from the old Cumberland and Pennsylvania from Mt. Savage.

[holland]

I collect anything old and new i like the rusty old signs ,and love my old switch stand looks great in the back yard

[sparkingbolt]

I voted no, since I only have what people have given me:
A switch lock (with key) from N&W, a 3' chunk of rail (!?) , and a few pictures given to me as gifts

[Anonymous]

I guess I am also a collecter. I do have a habit of keeping railroad things. I do have a few things though not much. My stuff has been accumalated through the years. As the trains have been torn up in my area there isn't much left.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

Do you collect any type of railroadiana (i.e. railroad china, lanterns, timetables, etc.)? Vote then share you comments below.


Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.

[Anonymous]

I am a collector of all things B&O -- paper, china, tools, lanterns, linens. It is a small collection, but pretty representative. It has been an enjoyable hobby, and I often like to speculate on the use of the objects. For instance, I have a B&O marked coal shovel -- well worn. Where was it used? On what locomotive(s), by whom? What stories these objects could tell.[8)]

[Anonymous]

I've worked for the RR for over 17 years now and am a lifetime railfan. My house is like a veritable museum with a caboose stove in one corner! Anyway, I am trying to desperately convert the "piles" into "files" so that my collection has some semblance of order to it.