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 Posted - June 16 2014 : 7:26:15 PM
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Sorry to rant and complain, I know noone's going to read this anyways, but I guess I'll say it anyways for anyone who wants to listen. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I may be finished with HO trains. I can no longer take in one single train car more. I'm broke, my room is full, I'm starting to keep boxes in the basement (which unlike most peoples', is NOT available for trains), my parents are constantly furious to find trains in all parts of the house... I'm out of space, I'm out of money, and I can't even afford to get the parts I need (about 250 pairs of kadees, a half-dozen packs of coupler pockets, 8 packs of kadee brakewheels, about 25-30 packs of P2K wheelsets, and $120 worth of misc. details) to finish what I have. I spend all my money on more projects, more broken-down cars and locos, and then I can't afford all the hardware to fix them. In fact, I don't even have the space or time to fix up just the things I already own. It's not like I have somewhere to put them... I gave up trying to build a real layout long ago because I used up the space I had with boxes. I have more than 1000 cars at this point, but I gave up trying to count long ago because I can never find them all, and I'm not sure if a stack of mutilated shreds that used to be a boxcar still counts as one if I know how to fix it. My parents dread taking me to shows and swap meets because they know I'll go broke and bring home a whole box of freight cars that I can't store and can't take care of (I'm like one of those cat hoarders...). I've started buying broken trains and parts in BULK. All the LHS's but one have closed down (and I bought everything good at that last one), so I finally have nowhere to keep buying more, and I guess I realized how bad things have gotten. Two saturdays ago, I closed down a shop that had been there for 25 years... by bringing home half of the entire remaining HO inventory - a full case of 14 full flats. Having gotten one more box of them for my birthday yesterday, I've decided to swear off buying freight cars ever again, or for at least a year, to give myself some time to try and deal with what I have. Having some pretty bad depression never helped matters anyways, and probably caused some of this. Anyway sorry I'm ranting folks, and I know noone probably read all this, but I'd just like to say - you have now witnessed the first freight-car addict (in the truest sense of the word) go bad. This all probably sounds totally nuts, or stupid, but it's actually true and I'm just a really pathetic person.
Anyways, I'll be getting rid of some stuff, a bit of it through here, so stay tuned folks.
-CRC
--CRC
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Posted - June 16 2014 : 8:08:46 PM
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Hey, I read it ALL 
Ranting can be good - blows off the steam! (railroad term of course)
I'll give you my 2 cents, which you can blow off as well or take all or part to heart.
Listen, I'm sure everyone on this forum has been somewhere you just described at one point or another. It happens! Just the other day I told someone how many projects I keep starting without finishing what I've started. And no, most times the parents/wives/significant other/etc will not understand the obsession.
But...it sounds like you have got a start on part of the solution already: selling some of it off.
I have tried it myself, and it works...and let me tell you, there was a time I would not have dreamed of selling ANYTHING. How could I, it's all good...it all has potential....and so forth.
Just this past year, I took a good look at my collection and did two things: decide on a ceiling of numbers of locos/cars...and also, get rid of the stuff (sell/trade) that wasn't part of my main railroad interests.
AND...and maybe the most important, decide on a monthly train budget, agreed to withthe people who have to live with you.
In my case, it was my wife. In yours, your parents.
And you know, maybe you just need a break, to step back and take a breath and decide where you DO want to go with it...or, without it. But I would like to see you stick with it, I value your contributions and wisdom. And I think it's very cool that you have such an interest in model railroading. But it's OK to step back a bit - I did for 30+ years (not recommending that BTW.
http://tycodepot.com/
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Posted - June 16 2014 : 8:54:02 PM
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I try to stay away from too many projects and only buy what I like. I do tend to get a project or 2 or get clunkers for parts. I do rarely sell off stuff I ain't got much use for or 2 of. I got about 80 engines and maybe a 100 frieght cars. There is more pieces I want for the collection. Like I said, I Just buy what I like to collect.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - June 16 2014 : 9:19:40 PM
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Uh-huh. You've got a problem. Like Jerry said, focus on what you want to do with your trains.
I think the major problem you have is: "I gave up trying to build a real layout long ago because I used up the space I had with boxes.". With no real goal or purpose, you are just going to collect stuff and repair as you have time and money.
Like Jerry mentioned also. Sell some of your stuff. It does sound terrible but, you could get rid of the duplicates, first. With a little money coming in, put it in a jar that is your layout fund. And don't raid it for more freight car purchases. Self-discipline is the key.
Or you could move out and get your own place. That will really put a chill on your railroad purchases when you have to decide between buying trains and buying food.
Unspoken expectations are premeditated failures.
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Posted - June 16 2014 : 9:58:03 PM
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| Though not quite as prolific, I found myself in your place about 5 years ago. Decided I would never be able to build the dream layout but still liked my hobby --been at it over 45+ years-- so I ebayed all but a usable bit of it...and gave all the proceeds to my beloved to use as she saw fit. Made for an awesome marriage and hobby. When we built our house 2 years ago, she picked a floor plan that gave me a small train room.
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Posted - June 16 2014 : 10:04:24 PM
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CRC: Step back and take a breath or two, first. Then, sit down and inventory everything you have collected- classify things by type: steam engine, diesel, box cars, gondola, etc-and with roadnames. If you can, put it on a spreadsheet.
Now, spend some time deciding what you want to create- how about a small "back and forth" switching layout, in say- 3' x 8'. Something that you can build which is light, portable and can later on be attached to a larger layout. Draw up a plan- enjoy yourself and spend time. Do you have any built or kit structures that fit such a layout? Set them aside and mark the rest for sale.
Look at your engine list- perhaps keep the plan in transition era (1945- 1965) so you can keep some steam and some diesels as a mix. Look at your rolling stock inventory- set a numeric goal- say 50-75 cars. Choose a representative mix of roadnames. If you have a lot of a particular car, keep 2 and sell the others. Re-itemize your inventory as you whittle it down.
Do you have DCC yet? If not, some of what you sell-off will help pay for a reasonable starter set, such as the Digitrax Zephyr Xrta, at about $ 170.00 from discount online sources.
At this point, you may find that attending a swap meet or selling online might help you sell off overstock easier- or through this forum, as you already suggested.
Keep what you truly treasure or feel is unique back from any sale- you will appreciate such a decision later on.
With a definitive layout plan and a selective inventory of motive power and rolling stock, as well as relevant structures, now you can enjoy the hobby.
Don't be a hoarder- all you will do is stare at the boxes and imagine- be proactive and build yourself a railroad. Ask for help when you need it, then learn new skills and enjoy!
PS: If you are in college and living at home, doing what I suggest will shine a new light on you and your abilities- organization, programmatic planning, decision-making- with your parents. Don't give up on what you know you enjoy- be smarter and have fun in a manageable way.
Siouxlake Ron
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 12:20:20 AM
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I have gone through periods in which I felt the same way. There was a point in my late teens and early twenties when I boxed everything up and focused my attention on chasing girls and drag racing. This came at the expense of completing my education which is what I am doing now in midlife. Eventually I settled down and started a family and my understanding wife has allowed me to keep my hobby alive because it keeps me out of bars and drag cars. A few years back, I tore down my basement model RR empire and remodeled the basement. I found that when I returned to building a layout I was much more content with something smaller. This approach has allowed me to hone my collection to the point where everything works and is reliable as opposed to broken down and in pieces. It sounds like you have very supportive and understanding parents. hopefully they wont mind storing your hoard for a few more short years. I find that there is no better therapy than model railroading and it keeps me centered and grounded. I dearly miss it when I am away from the hobby for too long. Hang in there PRR
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 06:31:43 AM
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Ron's suggestion of an inventory list is one I use. Really lets you see what you have in real numbers. I even have a "dead line" category for the pieces that aren't in running shape but wouldn't be considered parts either.
You can do that for projects too, and list what each one needs for completion.
All this in itself doesn't make your collection smaller, but it does give you a tool to manage and prioritize.
http://tycodepot.com/
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 07:37:40 AM
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quote:Sorry to rant and complain, I know noone's going to read this anyways, but I guess I'll say it anyways for anyone who wants to listen. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I may be finished with HO trains. I can no longer take in one single train car more. I'm broke, my room is full, I'm starting to keep boxes in the basement (which unlike most peoples', is NOT available for trains), my parents are constantly furious to find trains in all parts of the house... I'm out of space, I'm out of money, and I can't even afford to get the parts I need (about 250 pairs of kadees, a half-dozen packs of coupler pockets, 8 packs of kadee brakewheels, about 25-30 packs of P2K wheelsets, and $120 worth of misc. details) to finish what I have. I spend all my money on more projects, more broken-down cars and locos, and then I can't afford all the hardware to fix them. In fact, I don't even have the space or time to fix up just the things I already own. It's not like I have somewhere to put them... I gave up trying to build a real layout long ago because I used up the space I had with boxes. I have more than 1000 cars at this point, but I gave up trying to count long ago because I can never find them all, and I'm not sure if a stack of mutilated shreds that used to be a boxcar still counts as one if I know how to fix it. My parents dread taking me to shows and swap meets because they know I'll go broke and bring home a whole box of freight cars that I can't store and can't take care of (I'm like one of those cat hoarders...). I've started buying broken trains and parts in BULK. All the LHS's but one have closed down (and I bought everything good at that last one), so I finally have nowhere to keep buying more, and I guess I realized how bad things have gotten. Two saturdays ago, I closed down a shop that had been there for 25 years... by bringing home half of the entire remaining HO inventory - a full case of 14 full flats. Having gotten one more box of them for my birthday yesterday, I've decided to swear off buying freight cars ever again, or for at least a year, to give myself some time to try and deal with what I have. Having some pretty bad depression never helped matters anyways, and probably caused some of this. Anyway sorry I'm ranting folks, and I know noone probably read all this, but I'd just like to say - you have now witnessed the first freight-car addict (in the truest sense of the word) go bad. This all probably sounds totally nuts, or stupid, but it's actually true and I'm just a really pathetic person.
Anyways, I'll be getting rid of some stuff, a bit of it through here, so stay tuned folks.
-CRC
Originally posted by PRR 4800Â -Â June 16 2014Â :Â 7:26:15 PM
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P:
You're hardly the first model railroader to have too many freight cars. :) This happens to other collectors too. I also collect Transformers and robots. A lot of the robot fans go nuts and try to collect everything. Then they dump it all in a hurry and brag about how zen they are. But really, both of these are extremes. My preferred way is to collect slowly, and to sell things online when it becomes apparent that other people want them more than I do. I peddled a lot of my Transformer Classics when the prices went up to 4x retail. $_$
You clearly have a lot more than you can use. It happens. What I think you should do is become an online dealer. You've got stock and in this still-down-for-regular-people economy there is a demand for trains at the right price. If you're 18, open an Ebay or Amazon seller account. If you're not, well, you may have to convince your parents to open one, while you do all the selling work. Consider it an experiment in entrepreneurship. I would be happy to give advice on sales, as would several other people here. But the main thing is to be fast and to give the customers exactly what you would want.
Do this right and who knows? You could be the next Sol Kramer. His company (Life-Like) started out with green sawdust grass. Gad, I miss that green sawdust grass...
To make the hobby fun again, find a way to enjoy the stuff you have. Most Transformer collectors put their stuff on a shelf and dust it. But I use mine to make a photocomic. It's fun. Your collection, as it sits, is burdensome. Make it fun. Pick a theme and choose enough of your best-working equipment to build a small layout. Judging by your username, I'd go PRR. I'd do a roundy-round table type. If you don't have room, make something you can slide under the bed or whatever. Make it something you can show off to other people. That never hurts. You can use the money you make from selling stuff to pay for this, too.
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 08:53:52 AM
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Metalsmith's comment is very incisive- right now, you are young. Two decades from now, you will be more inclined to think back on earlier days and reflect. I started with HO model railroading when i was 10. I am 60 this year (well, a young-ish 60!) and still enjoy the hobby at every turn. There were years I couldn't participate for various reasons- military service, going after the girls, finishing my first college years- but later on, with work and a young baby (and graduate school), I avidly returned to model railroading as a means of relaxing, of having something to always look forward to- and, in a relationship context, a way of avoiding the "guy's club" marriage (out with the boys at the bar, leaving the house for the company of friends, etc.) that segregates your wife from your social free time- something that can become a divisive factor.
I hang around the house and play with trains on the weekend. I was always there for my daughter and my wife, and have been rewarded with a good solid family relationship. My wife first thought my hobby was a bit "fringe", but as she saw me improve my modeling skills, came to appreciate that I am no different than someone who plays an instrument, or who paints, or who crafts in various media- a bit of an artist, if you will.
You will someday be thankful that you stayed in the hobby- it centers you and also remember, that you cannot completely ignore the hobby interests of your youth- it is better to shape things up now, as has been suggested, and enjoy model railroading at a more appropriate level you can better sustain, than to remember with regret later on, what you used to do and enjoyed so much!.
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 10:15:41 AM
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LOL! PRR! I'm right there with you now...! But I'm probably 30 years older! With both daughter's in ice hockey and soccer and a live in mother-in-law, I have neither the time or the space... but yet I keep buying! ...and storing! and buying/storing. I sell too and that helps... but only to clear out space for the new stuff. Hopes of building a layout are long and far away for me right now.
If you can bring yourself to do it, sell off the projects you can do without and they will fund the ones you want to do,
Sean
"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!" - Mario Andretti!
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 10:30:37 AM
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| Figure you're era you want to model. Then sell what doesn't fit and/or keep what you like. Plenty of buyers out there. Especially here.
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 10:39:53 AM
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The lack of a layout might be why you're so driven to acquire. When you have nothing to give activity and direction to a hobby, acquiring the next piece can seem like a form of pursuing it.
Rather than buy yet another car, fix the broken ones that you have. Make it about doing. As others have already said, sell the excess. It'll provide money, and more importantly, space. Clear enough space and you could fit a layout and keep it about doing.
Starting the layout is a tricky crossroads in this transition. It's easy to get bogged down in analysis paralysis. Is this track plan the best possible one for me. No one plan ever will be, but there are a great many that'll be good enough. Pick one. Go forward. If you allow yourself to stall, acquisition will again seem the easy way forward.
You called yourself an addict, and the acquisitive habit will die hard, but it will only die (or at least settle down) if you address it at the source by changing your emphasis.
Carpe Manana!
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babuff
Little Six
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 11:48:32 AM
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CRC
One of the best ways to help control your collection is to limit the space for your hobby. Speaking from long experience, when you have only a room or part of a room for your hobby, you naturally become selective as to what you put in there. Not all of us have the luxury of a full basement, attic or garage for the layout/workshop to match our desires. Years of living in apartments has taught me how to maximize my space and still enjoy my hobby. When I first got married I was limited to an old kitchen table and some shelves in the living room. I had an old time saver switching layout on a 1 x 6 shelf which allowed me to run my trains, while the table was my workbench. I am sure many of us on the forum have had the same experience.
Come to an agreement with your parents as to what YOUR AREA is and STICK TO IT.
Next, if you are comfortable with it, work out a realistic budget with your parents ( you would have to do this with a wife, trust me) You should set aside just so much for your hobby and use ONLY that money to go shopping. If you have to let them handle the money for you.
If your parents drive you to shows or hobby shops, limit these trips to say once a month or shows only within certain distance. At all cost avoid IMPULSE BUYING. If you go to a show walk around first to see what is available then come back and buy what you NEED, remembering what your space and money limitations are. This is what the majority of us on the forum do.
Lastly, I agree with the others here, make an inventory of what you have, decide what you want to keep that will fit in your allotted space and SELL, SELL, SELL the rest. You must be ruthless here. Get a table at a local show, Ebay them or on the forum( there is always some one looking for parts) and trading is NOT an option here. You will feel a lot better and start having more fun once you are down to a more manageable size.
All of us on the forum have had the same problem at some point in time. It doesn't make you a bad person, just one of us. that's all.
Leo
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 12:26:55 PM
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Conner,
I am 63 years old and I feel your pain. I have ended up with three collections. My first step is to inventory the stuff, and decide what will be used on my future layout, The inventory part is nearly done.
Photos of what is in each box are used, and can be viewed here:
http://www.tycoforums.com/tyco/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14335
I plan on selling the bulk of these collections. when we have relocated to our new home.
It is hard to live within our means, but one should evaluate his time, money and resources and act based on these limits. A master plan and definition of goals will help limit your actions and provide a more enjoyable hobby.
I believe from experience, it is hard at any age to be a model railroader, and not have a layout. If you can build any layout, the hording part of the hobby is softened with the artistic, engineering, and creative aspects of the endeavor. Do not wait on the dream layout, even if it is just a shelf on the wall.
I also think that life needs balance, find other things and people to enjoy. Model trains are fun, but it can become an oppression, as can many things in life.
Good luck in the future, John ******************
Everything in life is temporary. So if things are going good, enjoy it because it won't last forever. And if things are going bad, don't worry. It can't last forever. <> Unknown
Edited by - JRG1951 on June 17 2014 2:08:20 PM
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 7:02:22 PM
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This is why you are conveying your message to this forum. All those who have responded have learned tools in which to deal with the model train hobby. And, it's a hobby, not a habit.
A hobby is healthy, healing, happy, and "how do I...?" when you have questions or rants. This is the place to express baggage a la carte to make known your needs, wants, and desires.
You're doing okay to put these cars/cards on the table/turntable and see what can be classified into what is the destination/decision you're going to ship-shape next.
You've got cars... this forum has interest. We're not vultures, we're hobbyists. And... we certainly VALIDATE your efforts. There may be people here who joke around... but sometimes those jokes are in envy or admiration of what is shared.
What else do you need? There are people here who have answers and who have answered already.
John
I don't have a one track mind. It depends on the turn-out.
"I love your catenary!"
Is that a power-trip or just another pick-up line?
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 10:46:00 PM
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Thank you all... I didn't expect such a response... overall, I'm reading the advice to be this:
1. Inventory what I have.
2. Pick a focus, and get rid of the things that don't fit. Definitely don't keep just accumulating everything.
3. Set a limit, by number of cars, or by space.
4. Actually build a layout.
5. Fix up what I do have, and be sensible about it if I do choose to get anything more.
I'm going to start by cleaning out my whole room and at least counting out how many of everything I have. Thank you all for your kind words and support! Stay tuned for the count... I've always wondered how many I have, as silly as that sounds...
--CRC
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Posted - June 17 2014 : 11:17:07 PM
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I would just like to say that I had my trains, etc in boxes for 13 years before having room... 
Edited by - walt on June 18 2014 02:06:31 AM
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Posted - June 18 2014 : 12:03:43 AM
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I've been through a very similar experience as you are right now. My room used to be absolute garbage filled with all sorts of junk. (Mostly old school projects.) and I had to throw out all that stuff because I didn't have any room for anything! Let along model trains. I cleaned out my room about a week ago and it's so much nicer now and I have so much more room for new trains and projects. Don't feel bad. We all go through thing at some point. Especially if you're into model railroading.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - June 18 2014 : 01:24:28 AM
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I felt the same way not too long ago as well. I have about 200 engines, about 300 cars.rhats just my train hobby. I also have about 300 model kits, way more than I can ever build. I will sell off a good amount of them but plan to keep quite a few of them. The way I see it, I don't go out as often, rarely drunk and don't smoke. All my debt is pretty much gone. Now us the time to do it IMO.
If you are not having fun, you are not doing it right.
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Posted - June 18 2014 : 1:55:56 PM
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CRC/ PRR 4800:
Thanks for listening to us- look at it this way: Now you have a project (organizing your collection, then "culling" it to make yourself more efficient) that will lead you to an operating layout- of whatever size you can best manage. It will prove to yourself first (and secondarily, to your parents) that you have an ability to make informed data-based decisions- that is one big step on the road to adulthood. Stay with us in the hobby and keep growing!
Siouxlake/ Ron
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Posted - June 18 2014 : 2:33:36 PM
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Fantastic to hear your decision, PRR 4800!
I am quite surprised that our resident Mr. Haney hasn't popped in this reply yet, once you mentioned selling stuff.
In 3...2...1...
Good Luck,
-ThOR
Edited by - theoldreliable on June 18 2014 2:34:02 PM
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Posted - June 18 2014 : 4:35:51 PM
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quote:
I am quite surprised that our resident Mr. Haney hasn't popped in this reply yet, once you mentioned selling stuff.
Originally posted by theoldreliable - June 18 2014 : 2:33:36 PM
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Oh that is funny
http://tycodepot.com/
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Posted - June 18 2014 : 5:23:19 PM
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| Best thing to do at this point is cut yourself off. Not forever, but for now. Stop going to train shows, hobby shops, etc. I've been through various kicks of buying, collecting, and tinkering with different things. My problem is that I have too many hobbies, and in turn never have enough time to work on any of them. Figure out what you want to focus on and sell the rest. Hell, sell everything, figure out what you want to do, and start over fresh.
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Posted - June 18 2014 : 6:19:43 PM
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I'm glad I had my old 70s set up in mind when I started buying. I first started buying anything HO and wasn't happy. Then found myself buying the exact items I had in the 70s... Then I started buying all the things related that I couldn't afford back then. I done a pretty good haul and have now stopped buying. I'm thrilled with what I have. I don't need everything ever produced by every company. I'm happy because I have, what I really want.
I will someday buy maybe 4 more train cars and the Tyco Truck Terminal Kit building... For now I will get more Woodland Scenics type landscaping...
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Posted - June 18 2014 : 7:01:58 PM
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I'm somewhat at this point myself, where the "collecting" has taken over my life, rather than using it. My basement is STUFFED with trains. Now, what to do , at 54 years old? Well, my current priorities have been the following :
Stop binge buying - I still buy some lots to get things I don't have, but I'm not buying as MANY now. I've got so much, and there's not much except the oddball pieces I am still looking for. Good thing, as I"m out of room! :) My purchasing has slowed to a trickle, as I am not looking for much right now.
Sort through the collection to downsize - that's my next step. I have tons of Tyco Santa Fe cabooses, and other duplicates, that I'll never use up. So, I need to sort and sell at this point. Wife is on me to do so anyway . Been trying to clean out the stepson's stuff first, get a bit more room to operate, then start the sorting. Which is gonna happen soon.
Get at least SOME sort of small layout, be it point to point or a small loop, going to keep my interest up in operating, rather than collecting. If I can get the room cleared for that, I may be able to concentrate more on using than acquiring. 
Also, sometimes you run across rare pieces, that if you don't get NOW, you may not get cheaply later, or at all. So I wouldn't stop and drop the hobby, but you DO need to pinpoint your interests, and probably downsize the collection, like I need to do. Tons of valuable advice already, not much else I can add to it. I think you just need a reality check, and a bit more focus, and go from there. Good luck, to both you AND me!
Jerry , overflowing with HO in Virginia....
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - June 18 2014 : 8:46:19 PM
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I think the one single thing that has helped me control things the most is having a layout. It gives focus to your hobby, a time frame and a purpose.
In that context, you can look at what you have and ask "does this support what I'm doing or get in the way?"
There will always be pieces that are an exception to this. I have a current Amtrak Empire Builder, just because I rode it - but have no desire to start collecting well cars for double stacks or modern freight power.
Likewise, I'll probably never have more than 3-4 steam locos - because what I already have pretty much meets the need.
And...although the desire at the moment could be to just sell it all and start over fresh at some later date, I would step away first and give some long, hard thought to that...because if and when you do start over, you could find yourself wasting time and money AGAIN, replacing all the pieces you remember you had!
http://tycodepot.com/
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Posted - June 18 2014 : 9:28:36 PM
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quote:I think the one single thing that has helped me control things the most is having a layout. It gives focus to your hobby, a time frame and a purpose.
In that context, you can look at what you have and ask "does this support what I'm doing or get in the way?"
There will always be pieces that are an exception to this. I have a current Amtrak Empire Builder, just because I rode it - but have no desire to start collecting well cars for double stacks or modern freight power.
Likewise, I'll probably never have more than 3-4 steam locos - because what I already have pretty much meets the need.
And...although the desire at the moment could be to just sell it all and start over fresh at some later date, I would step away first and give some long, hard thought to that...because if and when you do start over, you could find yourself wasting time and money AGAIN, replacing all the pieces you remember you had!
Originally posted by JNXT 7707Â -Â June 18 2014Â :Â 8:46:19 PM
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Exactly, JNXT! I myself have a layout which makes me try to avoid trains that wouldn't be able to run on the radius of my track.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - June 19 2014 : 12:13:12 AM
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| We all go through life obtaining material objects we later regret getting. Fortunately, you caught your collection binge in time so you can now reverse that trend. As you know, slowly look over your collection and sell off the excess to make your place neater. There are hobby stores in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey which buy collections from those who no longer need them. In the meantime, consider setting up temporary layout concepts on your floor with different track plans. It would entertain you and give you ideas when you are ready to build your first true dream layout. It takes time but patience is the key.   I practiced that idea tonight even though I am tired from a busy work day. It took me less than an hour to do a quick example of what you can do to entertain yourself. Remember to always have fun with your hobby and never get upset over it. Good luck.
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Posted - June 19 2014 : 01:05:37 AM
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That rug layout is beautiful and inspirational. This is why I won't read Model Railroader and why I love the TF.
As to PR 4800, you probably would have been broke anyways.
Perhaps you had some fun along the way to the inevitable.
You can always thin your stock on EBay or the Trading Post.
Edited by - Chops124 on June 19 2014 01:14:22 AM
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Posted - June 19 2014 : 09:02:25 AM
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"I am quite surprised that our resident Mr. Haney hasn't popped in this reply yet, once you mentioned selling stuff."
No, he has been busy out at the Douglas's Green Acres property trying to get them to set up a birthday suprise party for Arnold the pig by selling them discount used party supplies!
....Goodbye city life, Green Acres we are there!!!!!!!!!!!
Siouxlake Ron
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Posted - June 19 2014 : 12:01:47 PM
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Nice rug layout, wks. It somewhat reminds me of those old Lionel ads from the 1920's thru 1950's where there's a kid lying on the carpet watching a Lionel locomotive pulling a train through a Christmas village style town. Except of course your layout is H0 scale instead of 0 gauge.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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babuff
Little Six
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Posted - June 19 2014 : 6:31:47 PM
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CRC
Congratulations!! You have taken the most important step in solving your dilemma, that being developing an action plan and setting priorities. Of course the best step was turning to us on the forum for help. As you can see from all the responses you got, it is a comforting feeling that you are normal and not the only one with a problem (ask any of us about the unfinished projects on our workbenches or our to do lists) Here on the forum we are not just friends but more like a family ( true like most families we resemble a can of mixed nuts, but still a family).
Leo
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