Burn-Out Guilt?

Manny,

I wouldn't be so hard on yourself.

There are boatloads of 022's just sitting around, unused and gathering dust.  (They aren't rare by any possible definition of the term, in spite of what the folks on eBay may occasionally say.)

At least yours was being used (trying to be used?) for it's intended purpose.

Mike

Agree heartily with Mike

Don't beat yourself up plenty in the world will beat on you for free

you can use the switch for parts

you can place it in a prominent place to remind you to use care

you might be able to throw cost out the window and repair it

you could use for a static display

Burning? No. Breaking? Absolutely.
I found a beautiful Marx automatic gateman, still in the box. Set it up near the outside line on my layout, and it worked great. Did some work further into the layout, and when I stood up I lazily dragged my hand too low. Broke the gate right off. About broke my heart.
I did find replacement parts, but haven’t fixed it yet.

I have a box of 022 switches with an issue arising out of my experimenting with replacing the traditional controllers with three way toggle switches. At the time, years ago, it seemed like a good idea. What I did was likely burned out motors, because the idea is to use momentary activation, while I used rather lengthy powering. So, I have switches in various stages of disassembly. Some may work, some not. I went over to Fastrack, so I look at the 0-22 equipment and wonder what to do with them. I now know to take only one item and experiment with it, to see what the results are, instead of going whole hog at once with all the equipment. Mark

I know what you mean.  We had a mishap a few years ago that makes me feel like a bit of a failure.  We have an early version 2026 steamer (with separate handrails, eccentric crank, nickel rimmed drive wheels) that was in very good runner condition.  While teaching my oldest the intricacies of controlling speed with a transformer, the old girl jumped the tracks and broke off one of the marker lights.  While the 2026 isn't rare, I had a similar thought of it taking 70 years to get to my hands before we broke it in a matter of months.  At least it was getting played with

I have tons of 022 switches that I got at auction for next to nothing because no one would bid on them.  I wouldn't feel at all bad about burning one out every now and then.  First, it happens.  Second, there is nearly an endless supply of replacements.  There are certain postwar pieces I would be upset over damaging, but 022 switches are not one of them.

Well, like a lot of old things that are still very common, they remain common for a while  . . . until one day they're not.

Colt Firearms made almost three-quarters of a million Colt Navy .36 caliber revolvers between 1851 and 1873.   Each of them came in a really nice felt lined cedar box, with separate compartments for the can of caps, the lead balls, and the ball mold.

All of these were as common as dirt up into the late 1930s.   Back then, as a toy, grandpa would give his old Navy to his grandson, who could then just put the percussion caps on the cylinder nipples and use it as a "cap gun."   The boxes were probably given to granddaughters as a faux jewelry box.

Today, Colt 51 Navies in "Fine" condition can go for around $2,500 to $3,000.  (That means it still has all original parts but only 30% of its original finish.  Not exactly a great looking piece.)

The original felt lined boxes, if you can ever find one, can go for $2,000 to $4,000 in nice shape.

So, that's why I feel really bad about burning out the classic, time honored, reliable, train items, even if for today they are still common.     I feel pretty certain that in 50 to 75 years, the 1950s 022 Switches will be gone, or primarily seen in layouts in train museums.

Mannyrock

I collect a lot of different things and I have learned that the collector value of it has little meaning to me.  My criteria anymore is, does the item bring me pleasure still?  Is the item still useful as a tool?  If not, it should go regardless of value or potential value.  This is true across my collecting of glass insulators, musical instruments & recording gear, firearms, and trains.  I used to own a Roland Jupiter 8 synthesizer that I paid $500 for in 1992.  It is worth over $15,000 today.  I can't have regrets.  At the time It was not being used, was huge, and weighed over 75 pounds. 

I have "ruined" the value of many a valuable train by modifying it to suit my tastes.  Tin snips are the fastest way to get a lobster claw off a K-Li.  I probably ruined the value of my Gibson fretless bass because I built my own clear finished cherry body for it that it much more attractive to me then the red maple body it had.

To that end, I have at least twenty 022 switches.  They constantly come up at my TCA division auctions and no one bids on them so I get them for $1-$5 each.  Most are good for parts only.   If you need some send me an email.  I can send some to you postage cost only.  I know this will sound crazy, but I simply threw some in the trash as they didn't have enough parts worth saving.

Thanks for your kind offer Jonathan,

I think right now I am just looking for an O22 motor, in VG+ operating condition.  Send me an e-mail if you have one you would like to sell. 

In the meantime, I will try not to burn up any engines.

Thx,

Mannyrock

One has to keep in perspective, these first and foremost were designed to be toys, plain and simple.   The fact that they have lasted this long is a testament to JLC's engineers excellent design work and craftsmanship of the assembly line workers.  While its sad that you burned up one switch motor, many more have ended up in landfills or scrap piles in the past 70's years.   Think of all the wonderful tinplate that went in scrap drive dumpsters during WWII, that will upset some prewar collectors.  Yet the act at that time was supporting the war effort.  Enjoy what you have while your on this side of the dirt.  These trains will be around in large enough quantities for the next several generations if they chose to enjoy them.    AD