Thinning Down Collection Decisions..........

[atsfan]

How do people decide what to thin down to?
I have sold off some of the obvious out lying items, but when is enough enough?

For me I am working on some basic era focus. No old ATSF paint jobs for example.
But when do people stop?

[emd16645]

It depends on what you're looking for in the end. I'm thinning down my collection as well as we speak. For the last decade I've been working towards a modern era freelance road, now I'm looking more at a late 70s / early 80s prototype road. So first thing I did was to go through my collection and separate off anything post mid 80s. Then I separated off items that fall under my "heritage fleet", stuff that I have because of various reasons. Things like my unit coal train, my auto rack train and CN unit hopper train were retained for club use.

Then I evaluated what was left. Since I may resurrect the freelance line in the future, custom projects were retained and other key pieces were kept. The remainder have been placed up for sale.

[rails4dmv]

Downsizing isn't the problem, it's maintaining the thinned down collection which is the problem.

I tried it and it blew right back up again. During the 2008 recession, people seemed to be giving away their train collections for pennies on the dollars and I grabbed all I could afford at the time.

Now, with so much new product coming on the market, my problem is now how to get rid of some of those "recession" collected items. So far eBay has helped to make room for new stuff.

With discretionary income not the way it was post-2008, I do have to remind myself not to be too sentimental when parting ways with items I really want to keep vs. just plain junk.

My suggestion, if space is the problem pick an era and stick with it. If cash is the problem, pick the pieces that are more valuable to you and sell off the rest. There is always going to be something brighter and better coming out and you have to weigh whether it's really a good deal or if it's something you can take a pass on.

[bnsftcdiv]

I have an inventory that is better than many hobby shops so it is time to thin as well. Collecting with a wide focus will do that.

I've picked a date to go with my setting and then have and will adjust to that date. In my case, that means the current Sd-40-2 discussion is moot because I have more than I need for the yard and local service BNSF has them in. I'll keep a few for leasers and the CP, but my Kato stash will get thinned. The Athearn stash will go down as welll It will also allow me to trim my intermodal and auto racks back as well, and other rolling stock cars to jive with a Railway Equipment Register from my date. I'll keep a few interesting pieces of 90"s BN and associated leasers, but a fair amount of motive power and rolling stock is going out the door, mostly to friends at a good price…. But at the same time, the new modern era cars and locomotives come in as well, so reducing is not so much as changing the look.

The other thing is the sheer amount of odds that we thought we would need, but has been updated/replaced by better models, shells and parts. Limited run says get it while you can, but did I really need that? I don't see myself building Intermountain car kits when I'm good in the RTR department so to all the kit guys, here they come and I'll bet I have to give them away. Blue Box cars from Athearn and Bev Bel may interest a few, but a lot of this stuff I suspect will get blown out or dumpstered. Time to build the layout more than a bunch of so so cars and structures and the space they occupy is more valuable with track.

Dave Burman
modeling the modern Twin Cities
Trempealeau, WI

[WP 257]

I'm actually glad atsfan asked the question.

Nobody on these forums has likely been as aggessive about "downsizing" as myself.

For various reasons: kids needing funds for sports lessons, family needing money for vacation, kids doctor expenses, kids braces (my one income doesn't really pay me enough to be able to do all that after the mortgage, bills, etc. is paid) and my own personal religious convictions about not "storing up too much...where moth and rust doth corrupt", all plus the fact my wife doesn't really care for trains, has fed into my decisions. In some ways, I look at stuff that is mint and not being used as money that is not being used wisely, because unlike many other hobbies, I can recover an higher percentage out of mint condition trains than in those other hobbies. For example, coin dealers want to pay you half of what a valuable coin is worth--if not even less. That's a lose for the collector.

I have even contemplated tearing out the layout so the kids have more room to play--thankfully the wife basically said "no, you and your Dad have too much time into it--you should just keep it--the kids will be gone in a few years and they have enough basement space to play in".

In any case, I basically ask myself the following questions:

1. Am I actually using the item or do I plan to use it at least on some kind of regular basis?
2. Does the item fit into the current era/direction my railroad is going?
3. I keep one engine on the dresser in the bedroom, just for display purposes. It is usually my favorite engine, for whatever reason, and I rotate them so that everything does get run.

Right now the one display shelf queen happens to be a Walthers P1K Santa Fe RS-2 in blue and yellow, just because it really looks good, the paint and lettering are especially sharp and clean, and I guess I just can't bring myself to sell the one last remaining Santa Fe engine.

4. When purchasing new items, I ask myself "Is this something I really need? Does it fit my era and operation? Will I end up wanting to sell this one in a short time?"

I'm very happy with my downsized rolling stock fleet. I don't feel stressed that I have to have this or that and how can I afford it.

There's a line in a song that is out: "Have what you want, but want what you have".

As of today I have the one Santa Fe RS-2, three other units for myself (an LV RS-2, an Atlas Reading GP40-2, and a Genesis Reading GP-7), and 21 really nice freight cars, with two other engines on layaway. My one son has 3 engines and 6 lightweight passenger cars.

I'm actively looking for more well detailed hopper cars, but we're happy with what we have, and it's "enough".

[Great-Northern-Willmar Div]

Jan 26, 2015 9:01:32 GMT -8 WP 257 said:

Nobody on these forums has likely been as aggessive about "downsizing" as myself.

Ummmm I've got you beat hands down on the downsizing....son


When I moved into this house in October 27, 2006, I had over $100,000 in brass. About three hundred plus Intermountain, Red Caboose and others freight car kits. 9 full cases of Atlas code 83 flex. 40 cases of cork roadbed. A hundred or so Walthers Shinohara switches and about a hundred Atlas code 83 switches and whole bunch of other stuff. Enough books from Morning Sun and Four Ways West to make a library.

When I move in the next couple of months, I will have ZERO. And I'm very proud of this too!

I sold off my collection to basically be able to keep the lights and heat on, due to the lack of job opportunities in this area. I sold it for maybe 50% or less of purchase price and was happy just have the money. It is what it is. I'm actually kind of glad to be leaving trains behind, for they can be like drugs. Once your hooked its hard to give up the habit. 

[TBird1958]

I am downsizing my collection as well, what I'm trying to do is slowly get rid of most of my stock Athearn and MDC cars, for example I have 4 BB pouser X-58's that I custom painted some years back, they're all going out the door and will be replaced with one new Tangent car.
Recent years have seen the introduction of a lot of new cars from manufacturers other than Athearn so that's also a reason to change up my freight car roster, it used to be that you had two choices for grain hoppers an ACF 5250 or a PS 4740, at one point I had about 100 of these cars, today I have two 5250's and 3 4740's all of which I've spent a lot of time on. I've replaced them with fewer, better models that also represent a more faithful cross section of the prototype cars.
Current pricing for freight cars always give one cause to reason out purchases, in times past cars were far less and I could excuse some things that didn't always fit my plan, not so much now. Having a clear goal for my layout and time period is very helpful in regards to purchases, I was sorely tempted by the U25c but passed on it - I would have ended up selling it later at a loss, no point in that.

[SOMECALLMETIM]

I've narrowed my modeling focus to a specific month and year and prototype location and what would be accurate at that time. Before that I had over 350 freight cars and roughly 25 engines. I've limited myself to about 160 freight cars and 15 engines. Even that is probably too much. I've been asking myself the very question of thinning the collection and how much is too much. I have a dream layout in mind (haven't settled down yet as I move roughly every 3 years), but the time, money, and drive may not be there to build it. I'm honestly looking at what I can build and enjoy and keep my wife sane. However each new model release makes it tougher to decide on what to keep and what to sell or if I even need/want the item. I'm happy the recent releases have not been my prototype or haven't been something that would have been on my line. However if Tangent decides to produce their GSC 60' flat car and their GATC Dry-flo for the Mopac, I'll be buying a few of each. However my big purchases are done except for a glaring hole where a quality ACF 4600 covered hopper will fit. If a new model isn't produced, then I'll do some actual modeling and upgrade the Accurail kits I have. When I return home, I'm considering selling the TOFC cars, miscellaneous covered hoppers I purchased, and few odds and ends. I have a liking of the Rock Island as a secondary line, but if I limit that roster in the same fashion and focus on my primary line I can cut out anther 20 cars. After all the cuts I can get it down to roughly 120 cars and about 12 locomotives. It would be a tough decision to make. Athearn Genesis GP38-2s and GP15-1s have filled my roster in a prototypical manner and I'm thankful for that. However with the limited run mentality of today's manufacturer's I don't want to cut too deeply or decide not to get a model and then while conducting research realize that it would have been accurate for my line, but not be able to find or purchase it anymore.

[riogrande]

I've been selling off trains since about 2002 little by little and it's been a process. Early on I started selling some rolling stock because I got some good books and reference material and found out what were fantasy models and what were closer matches. After that began to replaced older cruder models with better, more accurate models. Some early victims were Atlas and Concor GP40-2's with the slot in the fuel tank for example. I've sold off all my 6 KATO SD45's now and more recently some Stewart F9 units and a few Athearn RTR and Proto 2000 engines.

Another decision I made was get rid of anything I bought that represents trains newer 1991 so all my TTX speed letter stuff was sold off as well as a few wide cab diesels. I've also sold off most of my older, cruder 40 and 45 foot trailers - most have been replaced with Athearn Fruehauf (A-line) trailers and some Front Range/McKean/Accurail Brae's. I had a bunch of Atlas Pines trailers which all were sold because they really are 1992/93 produced - again, to new. My time frame is still quite wide so there is definitely room to sell more off if I get more strict.

Jan 26, 2015 9:42:09 GMT -8 TBird1958 said:

Current pricing for freight cars always give one cause to reason out purchases, in times past cars were far less and I could excuse some things that didn't always fit my plan, not so much now. Having a clear goal for my layout and time period is very helpful in regards to purchases, I was sorely tempted by the U25c but passed on it - I would have ended up selling it later at a loss, no point in that.

Yes, like you I've also picked through my collection to raise some cash to pay for a few of the newer, better items. I covered 80%+ cost of my Genesis GP40-2's from selling a number of things last year and stashed the earnings waiting for their release.

I think the process of thinning is more or less similar for others - deciding where your goals are and what you bought in years past that no longer fit your plans, and selling them to help fund those which do.

As for prices, I know roughly what most items are worth and while I'm willing to accept a minor loss, I know some items being NIB can still fetch decent discount prices in view of the rising costs of future release items. I'm willing to be patient and allow weeks or months to go by - most everything I put up for sale sells eventually at the asking prices, as long as I'm patient.

[WP 257]

Jan 26, 2015 9:35:19 GMT -8 Great-Northern-Willmar Div said:

Jan 26, 2015 9:01:32 GMT -8 WP 257 said:

Nobody on these forums has likely been as aggessive about "downsizing" as myself.

Ummmm I've got you beat hands down on the downsizing....son


When I moved into this house in October 27, 2006, I had over $100,000 in brass. About three hundred plus Intermountain, Red Caboose and others freight car kits. 9 full cases of Atlas code 83 flex. 40 cases of cork roadbed. A hundred or so Walthers Shinohara switches and about a hundred Atlas code 83 switches and whole bunch of other stuff. Enough books from Morning Sun and Four Ways West to make a library.

When I move in the next couple of months, I will have ZERO. And I'm very proud of this too!

I sold off my collection to basically be able to keep the lights and heat on, due to the lack of job opportunities in this area. I sold it for maybe 50% or less of purchase price and was happy just have the money. It is what it is. I'm actually kind of glad to be leaving trains behind, for they can be like drugs. Once your hooked its hard to give up the habit. 

Aaahh, ok, I stand corrected.

I'm actually a bit sad though, at least for your situation.

The question I'm left with is how can you give up totally something that has been such a huge part of your life? Seems a bit extreme--I mean at the least couldn't you do a coffee table thing or a small module that slides out of the way somehow?

It seems to me you are on these forums more than most folks.

I just don't see you going cold turkey, or that perhaps you might be unhappy...maybe not today while the cash from sales is coming in, which you clearly need for expenses, but at some point...after the cash and the trains are all gone.

I wish you well, either way, whatever you choose to do.

[rails4dmv]

Jim, your absolutely right. It is like a drug.

I knew of a elderly gentleman that had no choice but to downsize because he was threatened with eviction. He owned so much railroad memorabilia in his home that dated back to the 50's, that the amount of dust and dirt collected started to affect his health. He would buy brand new locomotives with the intent to run them on a layout, 20 years later they were still in the box, never ran.

He was a hoarder none the less, and I hope no one on the boards is that bad, but I can see where it can get out of control quickly.

[calzephyr]

Jan 26, 2015 10:49:02 GMT -8 rails4dmv said:

Jim, your absolutely right. It is like a drug.

I knew of a elderly gentleman that had no choice but to downsize because he was threatened with eviction. He owned so much railroad memorabilia in his home that dated back to the 50's, that the amount of dust and dirt collected started to affect his health. He would buy brand new locomotives with the intent to run them on a layout, 20 years later they were still in the box, never ran.

He was a hoarder none the less, and I hope no one on the boards is that bad, but I can see where it can get out of control quickly.

Interesting. What is the defining line between hoarder and collector? I have purchased new locomotives in the 1986 era and not used them, but I consider that collecting the models I wanted at that time. Yes, I have sold off some over the years to reduce the amount of duplication in some cases and retained others.

In the recent years, I found some of the foam packing had to be replaced as it does deteriorate in some boxes.

Larry

[MONSTERRAILROAD]

That is 100% a personal choice.

[Great-Northern-Willmar Div]

Jan 26, 2015 10:12:25 GMT -8 WP 257 said:

Jan 26, 2015 9:35:19 GMT -8 Great-Northern-Willmar Div said:

Ummmm I've got you beat hands down on the downsizing....son


When I moved into this house in October 27, 2006, I had over $100,000 in brass. About three hundred plus Intermountain, Red Caboose and others freight car kits. 9 full cases of Atlas code 83 flex. 40 cases of cork roadbed. A hundred or so Walthers Shinohara switches and about a hundred Atlas code 83 switches and whole bunch of other stuff. Enough books from Morning Sun and Four Ways West to make a library.

When I move in the next couple of months, I will have ZERO. And I'm very proud of this too!

I sold off my collection to basically be able to keep the lights and heat on, due to the lack of job opportunities in this area. I sold it for maybe 50% or less of purchase price and was happy just have the money. It is what it is. I'm actually kind of glad to be leaving trains behind, for they can be like drugs. Once your hooked its hard to give up the habit. 

Aaahh, ok, I stand corrected.

I'm actually a bit sad though, at least for your situation.

The question I'm left with is how can you give up totally something that has been such a huge part of your life? Seems a bit extreme--I mean at the least couldn't you do a coffee table thing or a small module that slides out of the way somehow?

It seems to me you are on these forums more than most folks.

I just don't see you going cold turkey, or that perhaps you might be unhappy...maybe not today while the cash from sales is coming in, which you clearly need for expenses, but at some point...after the cash and the trains are all gone.

I wish you well, either way, whatever you choose to do.

While I've been cleaning house, I came across this:



And stuff like this:



A 1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport with a 409 and four speed manual kit in 1/25th scale by AMT/Ertl.

You don't know HOW BAD I WANT TO BUILD THIS CAR MODEL. It just reignited the fire of my love of 1960's full-size Chevy's aka Caprice, Impala, Impala SS, Bel Air and Biscayne. I don't care if they are four door sedans, two door sedans, four door hardtops, six passenger station wagons, my favorite - nine passenger station wagons, two door hard tops or Super Sports. If its a full-size Chevy I'm on it like ducks on a June bug!!!! I bleed Bow Tie Blue!!!!!

I'm moving to Phoenix Arizona, which has weather and climate which is very kind to classic cars.

If you were to tell me to pick between a 1965 Impala Super Sport with a small block 327, Powerglide automatic and factory air conditioning or a pile of the latest and greatest model trains. I'd be saying "what trains?" My head would be under the hood of that Impala faster than you could blink! I'm salivating right now thinking about turning things around and being able to have a 60's full-size Chevy in the driveway in sunny Arizona. A car that I could drive 365 days a year. Right now I don't care if its a Biscayne four door sedan, just along as it has a V8, Powerglide transmission and factory air.

May the wrenching begin!

[cf7]

Jan 26, 2015 12:44:39 GMT -8 Great-Northern-Willmar Div said:

Biscayne four door sedan, just along as it has a V8, Powerglide transmission and factory air.

You can keep the Powerglide...I'll take a Turbo 350 3-speed automatic any day!

[markfj]

Jan 26, 2015 11:21:53 GMT -8 calzephyr said:

Jan 26, 2015 10:49:02 GMT -8 rails4dmv said:

Jim, your absolutely right. It is like a drug.

I knew of a elderly gentleman that had no choice but to downsize because he was threatened with eviction. He owned so much railroad memorabilia in his home that dated back to the 50's, that the amount of dust and dirt collected started to affect his health. He would buy brand new locomotives with the intent to run them on a layout, 20 years later they were still in the box, never ran.

He was a hoarder none the less, and I hope no one on the boards is that bad, but I can see where it can get out of control quickly.

Interesting. What is the defining line between hoarder and collector? I have purchased new locomotives in the 1986 era and not used them, but I consider that collecting the models I wanted at that time. Yes, I have sold off some over the years to reduce the amount of duplication in some cases and retained others.

In the recent years, I found some of the foam packing had to be replaced as it does deteriorate in some boxes.

Larry

I think hoarding is more a disease and collecting a passion. If you’ve ever watched the television show “Hoarders”, they are quick to point out the hoarding is much like OCD or other psychological disorders. So, if your collection of trains is thrown about in a mess, you’re probably a hoarder.
I remember seeing a photo (maybe on this site) of an elderly gentleman standing in his living room with literally hundreds of boxes of trains. Now that’s a bit much I would say. Oh, and let’s not forget the big auction that happened just a couple months ago of that doctor’s collection. Of course both collections were somewhat neatly organized, so not really a “hoard”.
Thanks, Mark

[Great-Northern-Willmar Div]

Jan 26, 2015 12:58:47 GMT -8 cf7 said:

Jan 26, 2015 12:44:39 GMT -8 Great-Northern-Willmar Div said:

Biscayne four door sedan, just along as it has a V8, Powerglide transmission and factory air.

You can keep the Powerglide...I'll take a Turbo 350 3-speed automatic any day!

My now sold 1968 Impala SS had a 327 with a Turbo 400. Loved that car. Most dependable car I've ever owned. Air conditioning blew ice cubes, ride was excellent. I had a six passenger Caprice station wagon with a 396 and a TH400. Chirped the tires the first time I stepped on the gas to get into traffic!.

I miss "Whitie" my 68 Impala SS.

Factory options:

327-275hp
TH400
Air Conditioning - not Comfortron
Power door locks
Power windows
Power seat
Vigilite
Front disc brakes
Cruise control
AM/FM radio
Tilt wheel
Special shoulder belt
Gages/Tach/Speedwarning

Everything worked except the AM side of the radio!

Car was ermine white with a black vinyl top. Former GM company car.

[Spikre]

would not wish a Powerglide on my worst enemy.
the THM350 was a great trans,had one sort of.
my uncle bought the 67 "Bonanza Special" Impala that Hoss
was selling on TeeeeVeeee.
the 2 door was Fire Engine Red,and only my uncle being a
mailman saved him some tickets when pulled over.
my uncle died after having the car about 15-18 months.
my aunt gave the car to my Dad,her brother,but mom took the
car over before it got home.
the car had:
327-275 HP,the former 300 HP engine.
2.75 rear gears,all came that way.
the Turbo Hydromatic 350 3 speed trans
an Alternater.
maybe Bucket Styled seats,but not a bench seat.
maybe Power Front Discs ?
also had 2 main problems,the drivers side engine mount liked
to break,Chevy put a cable on that side to stop that.
the cams all had at least one bad lobe due to improper heat
treatment,Chevy wouldn't fix that,we weren't the Original
owners,the car was out of its 2 year warrenty,etc.
did use the car to go to locations across the Tappen Zee Bridge
to catch Unpainted ex-NYC units at Harmon-Croton.
went away one weekend about late 71 or early 72 to find the car
missing when returning,to find out mom had sold it for $400.00.
she didn't want me to have the car,,,Thanks Mom !!
could never figure out how Chevy could make engine mounts for the
365/375 HP 327s,or 425 HP 409/396/427s that didn't snap,but couldn't
make them for a 275/300 HP engine ?
guess they use mounts from the 190 HP 283s ?
the car also gave me a dislike for 4-V carbs on a street car,could
watch the gas guage plumment when that Rochester opened up.
Spikre

[jlwii2000]

When I first got into this hobby, I went fast and furious. Waaaay to fast and furious. I was buying anything and everything modern possible in my second and third year. Then I realized, I had too much stuff. When I went to find something I couldn't find it. I was finding stuff I didn't even know I had purchased. So I had a talk with myself. I said self, you will never enjoy all these trains. They will sit in boxes for years and you will never enjoy them.

So I got a list together of what I really wanted to model. I decided I wanted to model present day UP in the Midwest, things seen in the area where I lived. I wanted some road names that passed through the area as well. Lastly, I wanted all steam locomotives that currently run around the country and the passenger units they pull.

So back in 2012, I sold off $15,000 worth of stock that didn't fall in that category. Then I realized I still had way to much stuff but some sort of a way to use most of the stuff I had.
I still break those rules with a few passenger sets, passenger cars and locomotives but just a few. My point with all this blabbering is to suggest thinking about what you really like, put narrow parameters on it and stick to your guns. Even though I don't lead by example exactly in this case, that's my suggestion.

[WP 257]

Well, it's nice once in awhile to be able to use the money from train sales for other purposes. As my personal budget has become tighter, I've started to use the train sales proceeds to pay for routine things we otherwise couldn't do like a nice meal out at a restaurant for the whole family.

[riogrande]

Jan 26, 2015 14:54:22 GMT -8 jlwii2000 said:

When I first got into this hobby, I went fast and furious. Waaaay to fast and furious. I was buying anything and everything modern possible in my second and third year. Then I realized, I had too much stuff. When I went to find something I couldn't find it. I was finding stuff I didn't even know I had purchased. So I had a talk with myself. I said self, you will never enjoy all these trains. They will sit in boxes for years and you will never enjoy them.

So I got a list together of what I really wanted to model. .... My point with all this blabbering is to suggest thinking about what you really like, put narrow parameters on it and stick to your guns. Even though I don't lead by example exactly in this case, that's my suggestion.

James, I think that is how many of us started out in the hobby in the beginning - just like you did - randomly buying whatever caught our fancy and after time went by, we realized we had stuff we would never run also. It's just a matter of degree and how much time, how much we had to spend. Some have heck of a lot more than others to spend, but even those with less money often end up with more than they can use. I've always had a more modest budget that many, but I've still got a lot of trains - roughly 150 engines and hundreds of rolling stock. I've steadily sold off a significant amount over the past 10 years too.

[atsfan]

$15,000?
And now you have all the NS Heritage Units.
I held off on those even though I have seen some out west.
I just held off.

I am now getting down to the level of thinning that has me asking questions. For example, I have an ATSF SD45-2 Bicentennial. A beautiful unit. But I never saw one in real life and model the post SP failed merger era. So it makes no sense to keep it. But I like it. I have not pulled the trigger on that one. I have a MTH George Bush 70ACE unit with sound I bought on a clearance sale. It is a beautiful paint scheme. Really nice. But I never saw it run in the real world. So that is on the list of possible.

One thing I guess is what can I sell it for? If I can't get good cash (not crazy cash, just fair) I don't want to give them away. But how many engines can one use/need?

Like most people I sorta need the cash now. I can live without selling stuff, but am working on paying off other bills and saving $$ for building supplies like roofing. I guess I figure it makes no sense to have 100 engines stored in a closet with no layout to run them on due to needed construction......

PS: You want to see hoarding look at the plastic modelers stashes. Multiple lifetimes of projects in many closets......!

[atsfan]

Jan 26, 2015 15:23:31 GMT -8 riogrande said:

Jan 26, 2015 14:54:22 GMT -8 jlwii2000 said:

When I first got into this hobby, I went fast and furious. Waaaay to fast and furious. I was buying anything and everything modern possible in my second and third year. Then I realized, I had too much stuff. When I went to find something I couldn't find it. I was finding stuff I didn't even know I had purchased. So I had a talk with myself. I said self, you will never enjoy all these trains. They will sit in boxes for years and you will never enjoy them.

So I got a list together of what I really wanted to model. .... My point with all this blabbering is to suggest thinking about what you really like, put narrow parameters on it and stick to your guns. Even though I don't lead by example exactly in this case, that's my suggestion.

James, I think that is how many of us started out in the hobby in the beginning - just like you did - randomly buying whatever caught our fancy and after time went by, we realized we had stuff we would never run also. It's just a matter of degree and how much time, how much we had to spend. Some have heck of a lot more than others to spend, but even those with less money often end up with more than they can use. I've always had a more modest budget that many, but I've still got a lot of trains - roughly 150 engines and hundreds of rolling stock. I've steadily sold off a significant amount over the past 10 years too.

I know many people now past the accumulate phase. I wonder if new people are coming in to replace us though?

[riogrande]

Good question - seemly not as many and of course the recession has hit a lot of folks too. However, those who over purchased have created a significant used/secondary market for those who can't afford all new/expensive trains. So there is that little silver lining. HOexchange, HOswap, Ebay and train shows provide a treasure hunting ground for the budget minded or folks who are trying to build a fleet.

[kentuckysouthernrwy]

Not a hoarder here but have a ton of stuff that I've bought for the sure to use someday stash. What I've done is tried real hard to concentrate on building the 28x36 layout with the intent of operating and resisted impulsive purchases of the latest and greatest rolling stock.

I do have a few things that will eventually go out as did my old chase car, the '63 Chevy eater....

Yes a 427...

[fiend540]

I never accumulated a huge collection but I certainly just bought stuff that I liked or thought was a good deal, and have recently sold most of it off. I settled on a time frame (79-85), location (Western/Central NY), and have been trying to assemble a fleet of engines and cars that are prototypical to those two things.

I don't see it mentioned a lot when these discussions come up but I think layout size has a lot to do with shaping your collection. I find gritty industrial parks and areas, along with switching, to be what I enjoy so I'm in the process of building a small (84"x18") layout so I only need a handful of engines and a few dozen freight cars to keep things fresh. Sometimes I see layout plans, and pictures of just massive layouts and I'm amazed at the time and resources put into them. I don't think I will ever have the dedication to build something like that so I am always impressed when you see a big layout that is finished. The issue with these big layouts though is you now have a ton of area to fill with cars, and locomotives, unit trains of coal or whatever. I don't see how you could reasonably do it buying all the high detail stuff without spending a fortune, even using the "good enough" cars you're still talking a lot of money.

[rails4dmv]

A lot of my HO items came from those dog gone HO starter train sets as a kid.

I got my first train set as a kid, an AHM Thunderline Set which came with an oval of track, 7 freight cars, a CNW GP18 locomotive, telephone poles and a lighted crossing gate.

Realizing there was no fun watching a train just go around in circles, I quickly wanted to expand, and a quick trip to the hobby store, netted me more track to do a simple figure 8, another locomotive and 5 more freight cars.

Another trip 2 weeks later came because now I wanted a bridge, and a freight depot.

Next week, needed some switches for passing sidings, oh and by the way, the hobby shop now has a sale on passenger cars that would look nice on the rails BUT they don't run on 18" radius curves....time to dump those curves that came with the train set and upgrade to a minimum 24" radius.

And look at that shiny new locomotive that just came in.

And thus it began....

40 years later I still have that AHM GP18 locomotive, along with some other memories from the 70's which no longer runs, and in various unusable condition, along with a 4 crates of brass track

Childhood memories, yes.

A load of junk that's taking up valuable space that could be sold for scrap....priceless.

[jlwii2000]

Jan 26, 2015 15:25:26 GMT -8 atsfan said:

$15,000?
And now you have all the NS Heritage Units.
I held off on those even though I have seen some out west.
I just held off.

I am now getting down to the level of thinning that has me asking questions. For example, I have an ATSF SD45-2 Bicentennial. A beautiful unit. But I never saw one in real life and model the post SP failed merger era. So it makes no sense to keep it. But I like it. I have not pulled the trigger on that one. I have a MTH George Bush 70ACE unit with sound I bought on a clearance sale. It is a beautiful paint scheme. Really nice. But I never saw it run in the real world. So that is on the list of possible.

One thing I guess is what can I sell it for? If I can't get good cash (not crazy cash, just fair) I don't want to give them away. But how many engines can one use/need?

Like most people I sorta need the cash now. I can live without selling stuff, but am working on paying off other bills and saving $$ for building supplies like roofing. I guess I figure it makes no sense to have 100 engines stored in a closet with no layout to run them on due to needed construction......

PS: You want to see hoarding look at the plastic modelers stashes. Multiple lifetimes of projects in many closets......!

  15 grand was sold off in 2012.  I got all the NS heritage units because some ran through my midwest modeling area and some joined with UP power and even ran with UP heritage units.  I still have waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much but I can say I have ran everything I have at least once.  My next move may be to sell off the steam program and double down on more present day UP locomotives.   I have seen some collections in my short time in the hobby.  Because of my videos I have been invited to some pretty impressive home layouts that have not been seen by many.  The one I remember the most was a man that has easily $600,000 in brass (by his own admission) and another easy $25 grand in layout.  Then countless plastic pieces of rolling stock.  Well over 1000 pieces so I'm guessing $20,000 at least. So I'm conservatively guessing $645,000 in trains overall.  Folks like that make me feel less like a hoarder.

[lvrr325]

I started out wanting to do a modern-era Lehigh Valley, concentrating on the west end. In part it reflected what was available to buy and what I saw out there in the 1990s.

The Conrail breakup pretty well blows out of the water, any reason for that railroad to exist.

Then with the Atlas C420 and the Bowser C628 and so many other good quality models of the most common LV and connecting road's power, plus all the books that have come out, have me looking at a 1973-1976 setting and moving to the Wilkes-Barre-Bethlehem segment, and focus on running the through trains over the road. I'd like to do something that represents both the L&S area and the LV side, although how to make that work in a manageable but relatively accurate way so far escapes me (because often you had two main tracks separated by the river, and it makes the most sense to make the river area the aisle), short of coming up with a 40-50x20 space to build it in.

I'll probably keep some of my old stuff, the engines I custom painted (I had an LV heritage unit before NS ever had a thought of one), enough stuff to switch to a 1995 era if I want. But as I do shows I slowly pull out things I won't need and sell them off.

[cf7]

I have been in this hobby for 42 years. I am proud of the fact that I only have 5 pieces of motive power and roughly 25 pieces of rolling stock. I have always been the type of person that once I get tired of something, I sell it or trade it. I have done this by setting up at shows throughout the years, eBay and trading with friends.

I have also been the type of person that easily tires of one gauge and scale. I have been all over the map with my modeling and have made some decent money doing it. I absolutely love to build models and have done numerous projects for a couple of shops. That helps me feed my need to build and not have to buy anything to do it. That also pleases the wife!

I do have a few items that I purchased in the 70's that are in a small display case. Most are N scale Kadee cars. I guess if you count those, I have around 30 pieces of rolling stock. Not a whole lot to show for so many years doing this, but I have gained a lot experience and have had a lot fun at the same time.