rpc7271
1st Class Member
Foreman
Posts:113
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 | | 03/27/2008 2:48 PM |
| | Gona donate all my HO & G scale stuff to the Colorado Railroad Museum and the local train clubs. | | | |
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Richard Smith
1st Class Member
Port Orford, Oregon
Foreman
Posts:317
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| | 03/27/2008 3:45 PM |
| Like Tom I consider the money spent as just gone, spent for my enjoyment. After all if you go on a hunting or fishing trip or a world cruise the money is all gone and you are left with the memories and experiences. A bonus of the RR investment is that at least there's something material left to pass on if desired.
I'm thinking seriously though of building a pyramid and "taking everything with me".   | |
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Mike Reilley
1st Class Member
Escondido, Ca
Foreman
Posts:428
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| | 03/27/2008 4:25 PM |
| After having just completed the effort it takes to be an executor for TWO estates...I'd advise all of you to do a few things. That's a tough job...even IF you are not emotionally upset.
First...as has been discussed above, if you have a "collection" of normal, over the counter, everyday LS trains, tell everyone in your family that they are NOT worth much. Lower their expectations as to the value...because it's true. Used LS trains aren't even worth half their MSRP from what I can see. New stuff on ebay sells for half of MSRP. And...eBay is NOT easy to learn to use if you've not used it before...and you have a LOT of train stuff. It's a lot of work...and many folks think they need to sell everything...because they think it's worth a lot.
Secondly, tell them how it's OK with you to dispose of your "collection". It's YOUR hobby, not theirs...and they really have no idea how much effort it takes to get rid of stuff from an estate. I went through liiteral hell getting ride of stuff from these two estates because my wife considered "pure junk"...treasure. Had her Dad or brother just made some small remark about it's old, it's used up, it's not valuable. just throw that crap out, it's just stuff..life would have been a lot easier. Without out...it's all potential 'treasure'. Let them know how you would dispose of it if you had to leave the hobby.
Third, if you do have particular stuff of value...write that down and explain why it's of value....take a photo of it (they won't know what the hell you're talking about if you say the D&RGW K27 by Accucraft)...and who they should try to sell it to...or give it to. Help them while you can.
Fourth, if you were a member of a club...tell your spouse to use the club to help you get rid of stuff (as has been suggested above). There are parts of your GRR that are very difficult to sell...and take a lot of work to sell (if you can)...like buidings...or trestles...or bridges...stuff that's been outside a while. Heck...even used track, while valuable, is tough to take up...tough to box...and heavy. It's a LOT easier if you're in a club...and the club can help coordinate the deconstruction of the layout...and the disposition of the goods.
Think it through....and tell your family....what you'd do if you had to dispose of your GRR gear.
Oh...and I haven't done this either...yet. | |
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tom h
1st Class Member
Mokena, IL
Brakeman
Posts:87
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| | 03/27/2008 5:29 PM |
| Being a garbageman growing up(still am) i have seen a lot of stuff just thrown out when the parents have gone, it is there stuff, not there childrens, a lot of good ideas here about what to do. I have never gone through it, but have watched stuff just thrown away because kids just dont care if its not theres or were never interested in it. Find a friend who shares the same passion, or club members who are decent people, or somebody you trust, and if you do not want your family to just throw it away, let that person or persons to sell it for you or just give it away to people who appreciate it. I have seen a lot of really great stuff just thrown out, always was sad about that, figured someone else could enjoy them.
Always want to recycle
tom h | |
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Trains
Omaha, Nebr.
Foreman
Posts:217
Send Message
| | 03/27/2008 5:30 PM |
| Need I say more?
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I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die.
I'm in a hurry and don't know why! | |
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xo18thfa
1st Class Member
Las Vegas, Nevada
Brakeman
Posts:80
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| | 03/27/2008 6:14 PM |
| This is a very good topic. I intend to dispose of these kinds of things while I am still alive. My wife, son and other family members can have what keepsakes they want. The remainder I will give to my friends. I don't intend to sell anything. I want my stuff going to good people who know what it is, where it came from and will give it good home. I believe a gift of a cherished possession is a great "thank you" for true friendship.
Take care. | |
Bob Sorenson
SA #13
"Goals are dreams with deadlines"
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dawinter
1st Class Member
Peachland BC Canada
Foreman
Posts:180
Send Message
| | 03/27/2008 9:04 PM |
| Posted By Richard Smith on 03/27/2008 3:45 PM
Like Tom I consider the money spent as just gone, spent for my enjoyment. After all if you go on a hunting or fishing trip or a world cruise the money is all gone and you are left with the memories and experiences. A bonus of the RR investment is that at least there's something material left to pass on if desired.
I'm thinking seriously though of building a pyramid and "taking everything with me". ![<img src=]() " align="absMiddle" border="0" src="/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/wink.gif" /> ![<img src=]() " align="absMiddle" border="0" src="/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/biggrin.gif" />
Richard is right. My neighbour spends four times what I do annually on his golf game. Says his clubs are only worth $200.00. NEW! So it's really money well spent but spent none-the-less.
Dave
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rdamurphy
Brakeman
Posts:18
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| | 03/28/2008 5:37 AM |
| There's a teenage model railroad group in Colorado, that depends on donations. They might not be able to use any of the donated equipment, but they can sell it and purchase what they need. At any rate, if it brings more young'n's into the hobby it's good!
Just a thought...
Robert | | | |
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Madstang
1st Class Member
Bellevue, NE
Foreman
Posts:165
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| | 03/28/2008 6:25 AM |
| Will keep that in mind when my time draws near...but that won't be for quite sometime!
Bubba | |
Bubba'sPlatte River RRBellevue, NE | |
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digger
1st Class Member
Loveland, CO
Brakeman
Posts:50
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| | 03/28/2008 6:45 AM |
| This topic couldn't be more timely.... As many of you know, our railroad has "dual citizenship". I have always preferred US narrow gauge prototypes. My wife preferred the colorful and "cute" European prototypes. Usually, it was my stuff in operation, but once each year, we hosted a "European Open Day" and her equipment was in the spotlight. Sadly, she suddenly passed away last month while we were cruising on the coast of Mexico.
That puts me in the unique and not particularly enviable position of disposing of a part of her collection. I'll be saving several of the items which were especially favorites of hers. I'll smile when I look at them, thinking about how she proudly would point the consist out to guests and say, "That's MY train!" But there are other things which will go "on the block" to help pay some foreign medical bills and other related expenses. I can sympathize, very closely, with a grieving spouse making the decision to liquidate a loved one's trains. The advantage here is that I've had some experience helping others do this, and I have a great deal more familiarity with what I've been selling than most heirs have. The issue is that trains are just "stuff". We all acumulate a lot of "stuff" and when we pass, somebody else will get it. As others in this thread have stated, the fact is that we acquired these things for our enjoyment. Few of us are accumulating for investment. My wife enjoyed her "stuff", but that's not what I'll remember her for. Selling off this equipment simply becomes a means to help close a fiscal part of this chapter.
As for "MY stuff", a few special items are listed in my codicil for heirs who may appreciate them. The rest can be disposed of as those who claim it see fit. I do keep an updated inventory of rolling stock, with what I consider realistic values for resale, all well below what I may have squandered on it. Hopefully, it will eventually end up in the hands of someone who will get some enjoyment out of it. That's all I could ever ask.
Ed
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Ed Frey, Chief Engineer
The Columbine and Larkspur Ry.
Route of the "Hummingbird"
Member: Northern Colorado Garden Railroaders | |
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Trains
Omaha, Nebr.
Foreman
Posts:217
Send Message
| | 03/28/2008 7:00 AM |
| Ed,
Sorry to hear about your wife, she will be in our prayers. When my son pasted a way two years ago. I kept all
of his trains. They just sit on the shelf downstairs. | |
I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die.
I'm in a hurry and don't know why! | |
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Torby
1st Class Member
North Chicago 'burbs.
Engineer
Posts:1261
Send Message
| | 03/28/2008 7:31 AM |
| Sorry to hear, Ed.
Perhpas keep hosting the European Open Day and call it "Memorial European Open Day."
A major garden railroader in Chicago donated loads of stuff to the Chicago Botanic. Years later, we still run many of his cars and a few of his whole trains. This sounds like a nice thing to do with your trains, and they'll be appretiated. | |
 
Chicago Marathon You don't have to train or run, I'm taking care of that for you. | |
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Jerry Barnes
1st Class Member
Lexington, NE
Conductor
Posts:570
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| | 03/28/2008 9:10 AM |
| | The trains and cars that I made from scratch, I hope my kids will want, the rest is just stuff. If this retirement last much longer, there may be too many things I've made though! Jerry | |
Life is too short to take seriously. | |
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East Broad Top
Moderator
Centennial, CO
Foreman
Posts:472
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toddalin
Foreman
Posts:274
Send Message
| | 03/28/2008 11:14 AM |
| Linda and I have no heirs.
If I went, Linda would probably just call BridgeMasters and ask Jeff to take it all off her hands for one price. If we both go the entire estate goes to the two tortoises (or whomever takes care of them).
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Pete Thornton
1st Class Member
Annapolis, MD
Foreman
Posts:376
Send Message
| | 04/01/2008 8:02 AM |
| One further thought. I'm on the email list for a local auction house that specializes in trains. They are in the middle of TCA territory (the Lionel-oriented Train Collectors Assoc.) They regularly auction collections for an estate, and some are 'large scale'. Here's a typical auction announcement:
MAURER’S TRAIN AUCTIONS, 10 A.M. SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008, RIDGE FIRE COMPANY, 480 RIDGE ROAD, (ALONG RT. 23, BETWEEN RT. 100 & PHOENIXVILLE, PA), SPRING CITY, PA 19475, EXHIBITION: FRIDAY 7-9 P.M. AND SATURDAY 8-10 A.M.
In The Pavilion, The Post War Lionel Train Collection Of Robert W. Johnson. This Will Be The First Of Three Train Auctions We Will Sell For Mr. Johnson. (Modern Era, Along With Some G Gage, April 12). While The Johnson’s Raised A Family Of Five Children In Their Sprawling Rancher, He Nurtured An Extensive Train Collection To Be Enjoyed By Family And Friends. A Loyal Train Auction Attendee Since The Early Days In Lionville, (We Found His File For Ted Maurer’s Train Auction Lists Dating Back To 1972), He Continues To Share His Passion For The Hobby By Organizing An Operating Layout For The Enjoyment Of The Residents Of The Maris Grove Community.
In The Blue Room, The Marx Collection From The Estate Of George Yohe. Not Only Mighty Marx Trains, But Schylling And Some Prewar Lionel, As Well. Train Advertising, Catalogs & Miscellaneous Information. Track, Transformers, Switches And Parts. Also! A Big, Battery Operated Backyard Train. (Trolleys And Toys From The Yohe Estate On April 26.)
Visit Our Website At www.maurerail.com For The Lists. You May Place A Few Phone Bids On Cataloged Items By Calling 610-495-5504 After 7:00 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) On Friday And Speaking To Our Representative. Remember Phone Bidding Closes At 9:00 P.M. EST On Friday, April 4, 2008. No Phone Bids Will Be Processed After That Time. DO NOT CALL THE MORNING OF THE AUCTION. YOUR BID WILL NOT BE TAKEN. Also, Remember That All Shipping & Packing Is Done Through A Third Party And You Will Deal Directly With Them For Any Items That You Need To Have Packed And Shipped.
Terms: 12% Buyer's Premium Will Be Applied. 2% Discount For Cash Or Pre-Approved Check. We Accept Visa & MasterCard. | |
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OzarkRR
1st Class Member
Brakeman
Posts:11
Send Message
| | 04/01/2008 9:34 AM |
| | I agree trains are just money spent as with any other hobby. But I have a detailed inventory of each item I have purchased and all the original boxes. So when they become my kids property they can sell them off. My inventory tells them list price, what I paid for them, and what to expect to get in a resale. How much they get from my trains will depend on how much time they want to spend unloading them. There is still time before this becomes a serious topic (I Hope) and time for more grandchildren. Who knows I may get a grandson that wants to collection in which case it will be his. | |
Warren Brown
Mountian Home, Arkansas | |
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blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, south central Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1673
Send Message
| | 04/01/2008 5:17 PM |
| My model is so thorougly integrated into my property
that it will probably have to stay where it is
However, it has become something of a local attraction.
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