Apparently, All about Toy Trains has learned that I have no sales resistance. They keep sending me emails with items on sale, and I can't resist. When you consider the fact that I haven't even decided on a location for a layout, maybe I should stop buying. 
Their latest email shows crane cars on sale.
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Your condition occurs frequently in model railroaders. But it becomes more severe once you have a layout.
MELGAR
Melgar, I guess my experience is just the reverse of yours. I've found a layout forces you to face reality with respect to actual space and train size. Without a layout (this is my situation) the recall part of the brain has a tendency to shrink the size of the various trains you may have purchased. The end result is you think you really don't have all that many trains and what you do have will easily fit inside whatever area you may have allotted to the future layout. Thus your mind tricks you into thinking you will have gobs of square feet left over for later layout additions...so why not go out and get some more trains.
@Robert S. Butler posted:Melgar, I guess my experience is just the reverse of yours. I've found a layout forces you to face reality with respect to actual space and train size. Without a layout (this is my situation) the recall part of the brain has a tendency to shrink the size of the various trains you may have purchased. The end result is you think you really don't have all that many trains and what you do have will easily fit inside whatever area you may have allotted to the future layout. Thus your mind tricks you into thinking you will have gobs of square feet left over for later layout additions...so why not go out and get some more trains.
Funny! That's what I'm afraid of. I have three locomotives and enough cars for each. I'm sure I'll need track, though, and I'm sticking with the Fastrack that came with the Strasburg set.
If, at any time, you think you have enough trains, your layout is too small.
MELGAR
@MELGAR posted:If, at any time, you think you have enough trains, your layout is too small.
MELGAR
Absolutely true, and if, after having an operating layout for a couple of years, you begin to think that your layout is too small, what you are actually facing is a house that is too small. At this point, you should go see your banker.
I have enjoyed the exchange about this subject, and YES I too have been a customer of All About Toy Trains, and Yes, one of these days I will build a layout for the trains that are begging for a good run. Jerryc41, I can only hope my wife doesn't read my emails about The OGR Forum.
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