Do you feel you "have enough" trains?

@Coca Cola guy posted:

I feel as though I am unlike a lot of people here as I have a very limited budget and that alone influences most of my purchasing decisions.  However, even with that factor, I feel like I have plenty.  There are a lot of items that I think I would like to have, but I cannot justify spending the money.  I have made my peace with this by cherishing what I do have.  I inherited roughly 50% of my collection from my grandfather, so that will always have a special place in my heart.  The pieces that I have purchased were carefully chosen so that I would get higher quality for the $$.

This is a very reasoned attitude.     Side note: don't ever let this become a contest of who has the most

More shelves on the way, and I'm working on clearing out some stuff to make room for my freight yard that will also have shelves above it.

Still keeping my eyes open for MTH engines.  🤓

Maybe rolling stock and caboose.

To borrow from George Carlin... "enough trains" is an oxymoron, like jumbo shrimp.

No, but I don't have room for any more

Yes, I have enough trains and am quite happy with my collection.

I came back to the hobby about 25 years ago, collecting post-war Lionel.  Then switched focus to traditional modern trains. Then switched to semi-scale. Then a final switch to scale trains.  I have bought and sold a lot of trains over the time.  My switch to scale trains was also the time I ‘right’ sized my collection, going from a lot of less expensive trains to fewer more expensive trains.

I currently have 9 sets of trains, with a couple of ‘extra’ engines (plus 2 prewar Lionel sets).  These are my trains that I really value.  I tore down my permanent layout about 4 years ago and we have moved twice since then.  Nothing like having to pack up your trains twice to help figure out the ones you really want to keep.

The nice thing about having a smaller collection, is that I can enjoy them whenever I want.  They fit nicely into two deep 6 1/2’ high x 4’ wide display cabinets with glass doors that do a great job of keeping out the dust.  I do not have any trains stored away in boxes.

I am content with my trains, and don’t foresee ordering (or buying) any more trains.  I will likely order some more Fastrack when our new house is built and maybe upgrade some of my older train sets.

I will admit, however, that yesterday I ordered my first Scalextric digital 1:32 slot car set.  I’m planning of setting up a 4’x12’ slot car layout in the game room in our new house.  Much like digital systems have revolutionize model train operation, they have also revolutionize slot car racing.

Hoping to retire next year so that I can enjoy my hobbies even more!

Jim

I am content with all the nice trains I have.

@Mallard4468 posted:

To borrow from George Carlin... "enough trains" is an oxymoron, like jumbo shrimp.

Yes........and very tasty.

George did have issues though.

Oh, yes, just not the right ones....no way to trade the superfluous for the "never been made".

To be honest, I have too many, but what can I say?

Hmmm,  sometimes but,....   BUT I am delightfully spending my children's inheritance,...    on trains, vacations, dining out, and soon,...   a new CyberTruck.   

Yes, I started collecting in August 2020. As I type I finally have all my Lionel UP FEF-3 844 , Challenger 3985, Big Boy 4014, UP Aux Tenders, VL Reefers, ATSF 3751 and all ATSF/UP Passenger cars, MTH RK Amtrak Surfliner sets and Legacy 990. I would like another Lionel Legacy SF/BN SD40. My train list has been empty for about a month.

I attempt to keep as much stress out of my life as possible. Life is tough enough as it is. One of the ways I do this is to not burden myself pondering questions like this.

It’s just sooo much easier to give in and buy whatever trains you like. They provide you with a lifetime of happiness. Why limit the things that make you happy?  Just let go and enjoy. Don’t worry, run trains!  

A year ago we downsized from the house we raised our kids in to a house just for us. In the process I took 10 full van loads of stuff to goodwill, filled an entire “Got Junk?” truck and recycled so much more.

So now I am in minimalist mode. Sold off some trains I just wasn’t using. If I buy train stuff (I hate you Berwyn Trains!), then I have to sell something first.

Problem I have encountered is I have 12 roads to choose from along with matching all the rolling stock to run with them for the time period. Staging the roads and taking them down has become quite tiresome. Many cars never get track time since I can’t decide which ones to run, thus loosing interest. I spend more time doing that than running the trains. Guess I do have too much? Problem is I like and plan to keep my lean collection as is. Everything is historically important to me.

I have enough locomotives (B&O and Pennsy TMCC GP9s) and rolling stock for my 5x6 layout. My next purchase will be a new Cab-1L control set. (Berwyns, I will call you soon!  : )

Sorting through my collection as I shuffled boxes about during layout construction, I discovered that I own 9 NYC Hudsons, which seems silly, including a Super that I didn't remember buying.  Do I really need 3 Dreyfuss Hudsons?  This is what happens when you gather trains over 30 years and procrastinate the culling decisions until you construct the layout that being a road warrior prevents you from starting.  Not to mention buying the best example of something 25 years ago and then the much better example 10 years ago.  So, with layout construction well underway, the culling process has begun.  Acquisitions will be limited to freight cars, the few "transition era" EMD diesels I don't have, and "quality upgrade" swaps of rolling stock.  Disposal when I'm gone will be difficult enough for my heirs, so anything not "in theme" must go.

Although my collection pales by comparison to many of you, I have much more than I should considering my paltry social security income.

However, if a deal unearths its head on a piece of PC equipment (Since I conducted on the PC) I'd foolishly buy it.

I have enough. I want more.

@KarlDL posted:

Sorting through my collection as I shuffled boxes about during layout construction, I discovered that I own 9 NYC Hudsons, which seems silly, including a Super that I didn't remember buying.  Do I really need 3 Dreyfuss Hudsons?  This is what happens when you gather trains over 30 years and procrastinate the culling decisions until you construct the layout that being a road warrior prevents you from starting.  Not to mention buying the best example of something 25 years ago and then the much better example 10 years ago.  So, with layout construction well underway, the culling process has begun.  Acquisitions will be limited to freight cars, the few "transition era" EMD diesels I don't have, and "quality upgrade" swaps of rolling stock.  Disposal when I'm gone will be difficult enough for my heirs, so anything not "in theme" must go.

Nine NYC Hudsons?!?!?!

Please do not take this the wrong way however.

ARE YOU NUTS!   

One word... NO

I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum in that I have too few trains.

This is a great post. Glad I’m not the only one who has had these thoughts..... the thrill of the hunt for the next item is the collectors bug I guess. I’m Happy for those who are content with the what they have, and I fully understand all those who “need” more. I’m just finding that storage becomes an issue as well as having to move trains when I work on the layout. But what can I say, I love all of my trains (and I’m glad I’m not alone in this)!  In my dream layout scenario if we some day build a garage loft, there will be lots of under the layout storage for boxes and trains!

HA!

Not enough trains

Not enough space

Not enough time

not enough money....

I need one more train, I have a short list of engines and rolling stock that I would like to have.  My layout needs an additional area that will give me more track.  Someone asked when I would have it finished I explained it  just seems to keep growing.  Never enough trains just need one more.

I probably had "enough" trains back around 1960. Fortunately my family didn't think so and I kept getting more Lionel for Christmas and birthdays. At this point I pretty much have enough Milwaukee Road stuff to keep me happy, at least in O gauge. I still like N scale so I buy some of those "smaller" trains occasionally.  

I thought I had enough trains. That was right before I purchased the last 2 engines. I don't need EVERY engine that the CNJ had from the mid 40's to the mid 50's (as well as a few supporting PRR and RRRR units), just a representative bunch. But when the opportunity arose to pick up an H-16-44 (which with a few minor mods will make a great H-15-44) which I can paint blue with tangerine stripes at a good price, well... The USRA 0-6-0 was just gravy, as it was already wearing CNJ paint, begging to come home with me.

I kinda put the brakes on about purchasing anymore trains. Some sets and engines I have 2, 3 and even 4 of them.  My problem, if I like it, I like it to where I'll buy more then one.

I have too many, but their are still specific loco's and cars I will buy if they are ever produced.

@Magicland posted:

I thought I had enough trains. That was right before I purchased the last 2 engines. I don't need EVERY engine that the CNJ had from the mid 40's to the mid 50's (as well as a few supporting PRR and RRRR units), just a representative bunch. But when the opportunity arose to pick up an H-16-44 (which with a few minor mods will make a great H-15-44) which I can paint blue with tangerine stripes at a good price, well... The USRA 0-6-0 was just gravy, as it was already wearing CNJ paint, begging to come home with me.

The H-15-44 sounds ambitious! How are you planning on doing the toothpaste stripes ( masking and airbrushing ? decals? tape stripes? other? )

@JET posted:

The H-15-44 sounds ambitious! How are you planning on doing the toothpaste stripes ( masking and airbrushing ? decals? tape stripes? other? )

It's actually very simple. Cosmetically, the only difference was cladding over the fuel and air tanks, which was later removed, at which point the H-15-44s were almost visually identical to the H-16-44s (majority of the side railings may need removed too). Thought I'd found a pic of 1502 still in tangerine and blue, but I've found the exact same pic showing green and yellow, so I think the color is just off, especially since it was supposedly from 1964, and I doubt it'd be wearing the original paint still. That tangerine faded quickly.

The unit I picked up is a blue SF one, so it should just need a quick coat of C&O/B&O blue, then I'll mask and airbrush the tangerine stripes, which on this unit are simple because they don't incorporate the logo on the ends as most others do. Hoping I have some heralds of the correct sizes lying about. I'll also have to see if the cab can be reversed, as CNJ ran them long-nose first, and currently the crew is facing the short nose.

Do I have too many?  Not sure, I am trying to decide whether it is worth it to sell off my scale size 2 rail Weaver Reading Crusader loco and five cars and my SGL brass Reading steam engine.   What do you all think they would bring?

Some months ago I was trying to find balance between my level of inventory and space to park or display everything.  Well, after lots of ads and dozens of sales I  can say  "The glut is gone!".

If all my locos and cars can  find a place to sleep at night, my answer would be yes, I have enough!

The SGL & Crusader set are the tipping point.

Only when my wife says she will divorce me if any more packages arrive at our door.

Space definitely becoming a problem and will only be worse when we downsize, so being VERY selective with my purchases.

I haven’t been featured on an episode of Hoarding: Buried Alive, so I’d have to say no

@Tom Tee posted:

Do I have too many?  Not sure, I am trying to decide whether it is worth it to sell off my scale size 2 rail Weaver Reading Crusader loco and five cars and my SGL brass Reading steam engine.   What do you all think they would bring?

Some months ago I was trying to find balance between my level of inventory and space to park or display everything.  Well, after lots of ads and dozens of sales I  can say  "The glut is gone!".

If all my locos and cars can  find a place to sleep at night, my answer would be yes, I have enough!

The SGL & Crusader set are the tipping point.

Say, it's not so regarding your SGL and Weaver Reading engines!

My 3R SGL and Weaver engines are two of the nine sets that are not going anywhere.

The Weaver Crusader set, in 3R, is one of the very few additions I would add to my collection.

My guess is that the SGL and Weaver engines would be fairly priced at $500-$600.  The SGL model is very well done and my 3R version runs very nicely.  The only down side with the SGL model is that they are one-offs and not very well know outside of Reading collectors.  Both are older brass models and are very faithful to the prototype.  My guess is that the Weaver passenger car set would be fairly priced at $800.  If I were selling these it would be at a fixed price and not auction (like eBay).  I have seen eBay prices all over the board.

Jim

wife says yes, I say no

I have way to many!   But I'm working on it.

No members of my family are interested in my trains. Either O or One Gauge.

In the past 4 to 6 years I have additionally accumulated a very large collection of One Gauge. I really have got into the outside garden layout.

SO my interest has declined in most of my O gauge collection. And it alone is out of hand in size. I have removed my 16X30 O gauge layout in the train room and most of it is going to be sold.

I very recently rented two large spaces at a local BIG flea Market. I'm inside a  secured building. Somewhat expensive but you get many visitors on the weekend. It's only open on the weekends. People from a considerable distance visit the area on weekends.

I have a circle of G and O gauge track set up so I can demonstrate anything that I sell. Even lighted buildings or operation accessories.

Plus of course kids love seeing the trains running around.

I have done better than expected on my first two weekends. I will continue to give it a good effort for several months and see how it goes.

I did not like the idea of a flea market at first but actually having some fun meeting people with all kinds of family train stories. lol

It does get me out of the house a little . I seemed to have turned into a hermit for the last decade or more.

No, I never have done e bay,  On the forum here I have in the past sold very few things.

Bought a **** of a lot.

Shipping is really hurting a good price on even expensive items so it's to much of a cost in most instance to give a train hobbyist a great deal on a item. Sometimes it adds as must as 50 plus percent.

I have thought about York because I have been there several times over the years. We will see.

Wow,  I haven't been this long winded in a long time.

Larry

PS Still having fun.

Larry,

I feel you pain regarding shipping.  I use to be active on eBay 15 years ago, but almost never use it anymore.  When I sold some of my trains pre-covid, I pretty much gave up on shipping stuff.  Ended up using craigslist and the letgo app.  If I were to sell stuff now I would probably try facebook marketplace (even though I'm not much of a facebook user).  Shipping is just too much of a hassle and too expensive.

Jim

Yes, I probably have more than enough, but I keep seeing stuff that I have to have. I have some trains new in box that I don't remember buying!

While my modest train budget doesn't allow for the new Acela Set,  it did allow me to pre-order the new Space Set from Lionel. And the add-on car. And the Dementors Coach for my Hogwarts set!

My other love is Beer brand Boxcars and apparently MTH made a lot of uncataloged beer cars. And so did Atlas. And Lionel has added some Coors, Miller, Hamm's and Budweiser cars.

I just found a new in box Atlas Robin Hood (Hits the Spot) Beer Boxcar at a decent price.