Bob B. and others ...
What? Sell a train when most products may be worth less than the price you paid for it? If taking a financial loss isn't an issue, consider the psycho-emotional loss of treasured items -- which may be too much to bear.
Years ago, after a spate of medical issues (TIA, stroke, and a cardiac incident) I decided to sell my large O-gauge collection of Rock Island trains made by several manufacturers, along with many accessories, structures, and 1:43 vehicles. My thought was to spare my widow the daunting task of disposing of the trains -- 8 pages of inventory. Stout Auctions handled the sale, and I received what I thought was an "about right" payment. Then I recovered and began to regret that decision. I'm now 84, but I realize my trains will have to be disposed of somehow -- sooner or later.
My remaining RI trains are mementos, and I have allocated them to family members in my Will after I board the Post Mortem Express bound for Grand Celestial Station. That works for me and her. Until then, I'll keep the "shelf queens" now now on display in the Train Room:
* MTH Aerotrain with RI décor plus 10 coaches
* MTH Alco DL109 with RI passenger cars
* Lionel "Northern" steam loco with freight cars
* Third Rail Rock Island TA diesel set with PEORIA ROCKET passenger cars
* Lionel Rock Island E6A diesel with RI passenger cars
* Lionel "General" RI steam loco and RI&P passenger cars.
These train sets are reminders of my lifelong interest in the Rock Island, the railroad that served my home town (Peoria, IL) when I was a boy in the late 1940s and early 50s. I was then an occasional passenger aboard the Peoria Rocket. During decades of involvement in the hobby, I collected trains of the RI. Now I can't bring myself to sell these remaining trains because they are precious memories.
Mike Mottler LCCA 12394
