Are you a Hoarder?? I go to shows, flea markets, Goodwill, rummage sales and the like. When ever I find more than one of any item I may like and/or am looking for, I always buy one or two and leave the rest for someone else.
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Are you a Hoarder??
Yes!
Used to be. Taxes the brain too much.....
First off, I don’t ‘collect’ scale trains. I only buy what I can use on the layout, as I have a narrow gauge layout and I won’t run anything that’s out of place as there’s clearly no interchange for something like that.
I do, however, collect some RR stuff but even then, my focus is very tight. I mostly focus on the RR I model or adjacent RRs, as well as a few pieces of hardware. For example, I picked up a nice switch lantern at a show for very little cash. I also have a couple of lanterns (one which is a dead-on replica for the one carried by Ernie Borgnine in the movie, “Emperor of the North”. I intend on wiring them up for electric/battery lights once I figure out a way to display them.
But I don’t go nuts with this stuff because since my teens, I’ve been collecting US WW2 stuff.
At one point, yeah, I was a horder. I bought everything I saw even if I had 10 of them. My room was shoulder high with a path to the bed, stacked several feet deep with web gear, parachutes, helmets and the like. Once I left for the Army, though, I decided that one cool item was better than 10 so-so ones. I have held fast to that rule ever since and have been much happier for it. I rarely every buy much stuff for the collection anymore, now having met my goals for most of it. People with much larger collections have routinely told me that though my gathering of items might be smaller, it’s generally more impressive as each thing I have usually raises an eyebrow from another collector. I have one of the most comprehensive collections of WW2 war correspondent memorabilia in private hands, but it doesn’t take up a lot of room as much of it is flat (as in patches or paper-based stuff). My weapons collection does take up some room, though. But it all fits along one wall of the garage (next to my 1944 Jeep) and in a single room…
It just takes discipline. If you want 20 of everything, be my guest. I just don’t want to hear the griping later on about how much stuff you have and what a burden it is.
Used to be years ago. Then I had a "collection" that made no sense. Like the gentleman above, I only buy what I will run.
Now, I model Marias Pass (Montana), with RARE exception, if it wasn't in Marias Pass in real life, you won't see it on the Glacier Line.
That is good in that it makes the railroad "reasonably plausible" and tremendously helps the budget! Wife loves the Chessie System's cat! None on the Glacier Line. :-)
I only hoard weapons of mass destruction and trains.
O gauge trains!
Complete hoarder. It's unbelievable. I gotta change. Mostly trains but also bulldozers, graders, dump trucks ( the real things) etc. and anything else not nailed down. Then I pry it off if I can see use for it "someday". Coffee cans, boxes, broken shovel handles, blah, blah, blah...........
With Model Railroads there is no such thing a hoarding!
It is called a "Model Train Salvage yard". 
My mom is a hoarder but won't admit it. When my dad and I clean the house out in christmas. We put out our 2nd trash can for pick up to get a rid of lots of her stuff. She ends up bringing more home.
My mom claims my Dad is a hoarder. However, my dad had anything and almost everything for Parts and other stuff in the garage and so many machines for metal and woodworking. However he has 1 1/2 inch scale trains: rock island ten wheeler, a freelanced Pacific looks Santa Fe, Santa Fe F-3, 6 gons, 2 Flatcars, 2 Cabooses In the works is 4 reefers and passenger cars and my 2 1/2 inch scale Galloping Goose.
I'm hoarder in Toy Trains, if I see a good deal you know I'll buy it. Im getting a rid of 6 engines and at least 30 cars at the upcoming swap meet at Balboa Park on Saturday
I admit to having a stash (two plastic storage boxes) of 027-profile track in several diameters of curves and lengths of straights. It is a hedge against the boys having kids of their own and wanting to build layouts for them. I figure that storing it will be easier than buying it in quantity when the time comes. If the time doesn't come, someone else will want it.
If I see something I like, I buy it. I also buy something that I know I can flip. I buy any and all high end Lionel or MTH engines that are inoperative. I fix them, sell them, and stand behind them. For many years I purchased all the K-Line 18 and 21 inch aluminum cars I could find. The high end sets I would always buy two. I do not buy Lionmaster or Railking. I do not consider myself a hoarder but a wise buyer.
I'm not; I only buy what can fit on the layout and run.... Now my brother-in-law (who got me into the hobby) is a Hoarder with a capital H. Worst of all he sneaks things into my garage on my storage shelves!
EricBuzz posted:Worst of all he sneaks things into my garage on my storage shelves!
Well, you're obviously not using them, so why not? 
I am a collector at depth........
EricBuzz posted:I'm not; I only buy what can fit on the layout and run.... Now my brother-in-law (who got me into the hobby) is a Hoarder with a capital H. Worst of all he sneaks things into my garage on my storage shelves!
A pal of mine who can’t buy enough guns got an ultimatum from his wife not long ago; no more guns. He’s gone insane in that he goes without lunch and won’t pay for anything, so he can literally save every single penny for any firearm he can buy. It’s not a political or survivalist thing, he’s just got it in his head that he MUST be firearms as often as he can.
Anyway, he declared recently that he’s going to start ‘storing’ firearms at my place because I have garage space and his wife won’t know. I looked him dead in the eye and said, “Any firearm you bring into my house is mine to keep forever and always. It’s not my job to be your enabler.”
You should have seen the look on his face when I said that.
I’ll never understand that kind of mindset. It’s not funny in the least and I have no idea why so many people in any given hobby thinks that it is.
Popi posted:Are you a Hoarder??
Definitely not.
The only thing I collect is memories.
p51 posted:EricBuzz posted:I'm not; I only buy what can fit on the layout and run.... Now my brother-in-law (who got me into the hobby) is a Hoarder with a capital H. Worst of all he sneaks things into my garage on my storage shelves!
A pal of mine who can’t buy enough guns got an ultimatum from his wife not long ago; no more guns. He’s gone insane in that he goes without lunch and won’t pay for anything, so he can literally save every single penny for any firearm he can buy. It’s not a political or survivalist thing, he’s just got it in his head that he MUST be firearms as often as he can.
Anyway, he declared recently that he’s going to start ‘storing’ firearms at my place because I have garage space and his wife won’t know. I looked him dead in the eye and said, “Any firearm you bring into my house is mine to keep forever and always. It’s not my job to be your enabler.”
You should have seen the look on his face when I said that.
I’ll never understand that kind of mindset. It’s not funny in the least and I have no idea why so many people in any given hobby thinks that it is.
It's a medical condition. Not joking . Just like certain people have the gene to be an addict of whatever sort. A predisposition and they can't help it without therapy / medication. It runs in our family to be both an addict and hoarder. Can't help it. My mother was a hoarder and a great person. My father was an alcoholic and a great person. I was screwed from the start. I'm a bit of both and I admit it. I love drinking and getting hammered while I stack boxes of trains and miscellaneous junk I picked up after a weekend of going to rummage sales and the local dump.
I was more of an impulse buyer. I've cleaned out just about everything except the Postwar engines, operating cars and accessories and some MPC era engines. There's still plenty enough to play with.
Many people buy dope, cigarettes, and booze. At the end of the day they may not have good health but do have empty pockets. If anyone gives you crap about buying trains, be nice, smile, then tell them where to go. Buy what you like and enjoy life. It is a short trip so enjoy yourself.
Nature abhors a vacuum. I am doing my best to fill it.
Pete
Marty Fitzhenry posted:Many people buy dope, cigarettes, and booze. At the end of the day they may not have good health but do have empty pockets. If anyone gives you crap about buying trains, be nice, smile, then tell them where to go. Buy what you like and enjoy life. It is a short trip so enjoy yourself.
Add one more thing Marty, look at the great friends we make!
Lou N
Funny this topic just came up - I saw this cartoon over the weekend and it made me think about my trains and "collecting"
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Knitters and other yarnworkers refer to it as SABLE, or Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy. Of course one problem is that the volume of yarn it takes to make a sweater or blanket takes up a ton of space, so it's possible to have two garbage cans full (I do) and go through it relatively fast.
Something to think about when you deal with someone you think has too many postwar or prewar O gauge: the parts are hard to get. They're not like other "collectibles" (hint: if it's called that, it isn't) that can be replaced easily. That box of old junk engines may be the only way to keep the rest running, at least until home metal printers become a reality.
M J Breen posted:Funny this topic just came up - I saw this cartoon over the weekend and it made me think about my trains and "collecting"
Lucky kid!! And I mean it
Minimalist here. But, my wife can be bit of a hoarder.
Sometimes our worlds clash. 
Becky, Tom & Gabe Morgan posted:Knitters and other yarnworkers refer to it as SABLE, or Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy. Of course one problem is that the volume of yarn it takes to make a sweater or blanket takes up a ton of space, so it's possible to have two garbage cans full (I do) and go through it relatively fast.
I know that person!!!! My wife has about 10-15 55 gal storage tubs with just yarn!!!! and another 10 with cloth!! That's why I don't catch grief for trains!!
Everyone on this forum with more than two train sets is a hoarder, whether they run everything they buy, display on a shelf or hide it in a closet / attic / corner of the basement / under the layout.
What, me worry?
M J Breen posted:Funny this topic just came up - I saw this cartoon over the weekend and it made me think about my trains and "collecting"
What an excellent cartoon.I just went through this situation.
I inherited my Dad's prewar collection when he died about 16 years ago, and I'm now doing something I said I'd never do: adding to it--selectively. Fortunately, I have a very loving and understanding wife who knows how important the trains are to me, but she also knows I'm not going to start hoarding trains I'll never run. The one exception to that at this time is switches. I have a pretty good stash of K-Line SuperSnap / RMT / O-Line Reprodctions O72 switches. They're out of production (at least for now), so when I see a good deal on them, I buy them for spares.
AMCDave posted:Becky, Tom & Gabe Morgan posted:Knitters and other yarnworkers refer to it as SABLE, or Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy. Of course one problem is that the volume of yarn it takes to make a sweater or blanket takes up a ton of space, so it's possible to have two garbage cans full (I do) and go through it relatively fast.
I know that person!!!! My wife has about 10-15 55 gal storage tubs with just yarn!!!! and another 10 with cloth!! That's why I don't catch grief for trains!!
Identical deal here except she is a quilter and has tubs of fabric. Also no grief for the same reason.
Pete
I'm not; I only buy what can fit on the layout and run.... Now my brother-in-law (who got me into the hobby) is a Hoarder with a capital H. Worst of all he sneaks things into my garage on my storage shelves!
They must be gifts. Nice fellow.
Naw.. that is only stamp, coin, old car, and doll collectors... Model train people don't do that! (and Dumbo buzzed my house)
I have two personal experiences:
1/ Friends of my wife. They had a huge "hoard" of Lionel trains in the basement. Aside from a small 4X8 "layout" set up, nothing was even opened. "Taking them out of the box diminishes their value," I was told. The walls were lined chock-a-block solid with unopened Lionel trains in their boxes. Otherwise, the house was immaculate. So, "no problem" in my book even though I personally am not a collector, or a hoarder and can't really understand the mentality.
2/ Personal acqaintance: House is barely livable. No trains involved but the house is full to overflowing with what I would call "junk." Husband refuses to part with ANYTHING. Actually stops on the way home from work and picks up pieces of trash people have set out for collection. Telephone was not working but husband feared to let repair people into the house. Feared they would report what they saw and the place would be condemned. Same thing with a leaking hot water heater in the laundry room. So, he knew! Twice he agreed to clean up. Dumpsters were actually ordered and on-site twice. Each time he removed items the wife and son had placed in the dumpster and brought them back in the house. Twice those dumpsters went back empty. This is a mental health issue, IMO. If anyone has seen the TV show, "Hoarding: Buried Alive," I can testify for a certainty that these people DO exist. This marriage failed. I visited the husband in his new accommodations. They were already well on the way to being "trashed."
Oh, and the garage? Very much looks like the cartoon in this thread.
My uncle has a huge back yard full of "stuff" he gets junking every day. Two large sheds are also chuck full of "junk". He lives alone, aunt passed fifteen years ago. He's approaching 90, but is in fairly good health. Drives every day, picking up stuff. he also does the wood pallet thing. Loads them on his trailer himself then brings them to a guy who buys them.
All of that said, when he passes, the job of cleaning up will be a nightmare. What has value, what is pure trash ? How do we handle it ? I'm pushing 70.
I used to bring home alot of stuff from the various construction jobs I worked on. But I was building a house and always working on some improvement project. The past few years I have been steadily eliminating stuff like that. I found that all I did was move it from one place to another. I can think of better things to do with my time, like play with my trains.
It would have been nice if money was never an obstacle. Then it would just have been a matter of picking up the phone and ordering whatever material I needed. Maybe in y next life I'll be born into wealth.....LOL
Discipline it's all about discipline .. not saying I have it ..but it is a goal
One collecting life should be divided in thirds
first third: the hunt, the chase, acquisition
second third : enjoy you collection , have fun with you collection
final third : dispersal of the collection to friends and loved ones
It helps if one has a realistic life time expectancy when slicing it in thirds .... 200 -300 years as a life span is not within the realm of realistic .
Buy what you like , like what you buy . ....leave a path to the bathroom and most exits
Cheers Carey
MattR posted:It's a medical condition. Not joking . Just like certain people have the gene to be an addict of whatever sort. A predisposition and they can't help it without therapy / medication. It runs in our family to be both an addict and hoarder. Can't help it.
Matt,
I have zero problem believing you on that.
My point here is that with almost any hobby, you get a lot of folks who don’t see that there’s an issue with hoarding. They REVEL in it, and use justifications such as, “At least I’m not buying booze or drugs,” or, “He who dies with the most toys wins,” or equally silly overused buzz phrases like that.
Plenty have posted exactly this here, and frankly I find it disturbing. I am not prone to addiction but was buying all the other hobby stuff I could get my hands on because I thought I could store it for a couple of decades and make a mint on it. Turns out, I would have done exactly that (US WW2 stuff ballooned in value in the late 90s) but in the end I was much happier with just having a simple collection of better quality-rarity stuff than a mass of what my wife calls, “Old smelly army junk. (including my own gear from active duty that I kept)”.
I worry about people who think it’s not only okay to hoard like this, but revel in it as if it’s something to aspire to. Frankly, it’s a scary set of behaviors.
There was a time when I "had to have" things in the new catalogs... but the shear volume of stuff coming out has cured me. Now I rarely buy except to replace or upgrade... and I'm happier for it.
Jon 
All of that said, when he passes, the job of cleaning up will be a nightmare. What has value, what is pure trash ? How do we handle it ? I'm pushing 70.
If you were in my area, I'd say start with Estate Liquidation companies. If the hoard is too much for them, then call one of those companies that specialize in clean outs.
final third : dispersal of the collection to friends and loved ones
I have given the idea of liquidating so my heirs don't have to deal with my stuff some serious consideration.
I think its a good idea to have an inventory with notes, and label everything. Also to clean out worthless junk. But I am not ever going to disperse of my collection.
If my heirs want to keep some stuff, that's great.
If they want to maximum the return, they can do some work.
If they want to feed the stuff into a shredder, that's OK too. (I know they won't)
The trains will have served their purpose.
Seriously, they could always consign the stuff to an auction house.
The stuff left by family members who have passed on can be a problem getting rid of or not. That is to say that small appliances for example, become outdated. In my case my aunt had every kitchen gadget known to man. They are not cheap models either. She bought the best of the best. But even the best becomes useless at some point. Particularly with the younger generations. How many young women and men for that matter, entertain with dinners now days. Their lives are filled with technology and just making ends meet. They both work and don't have the time or energy we were afforded by a simpler life.
We've managed to give away alot of stuff so far. But there is still mountains left. So as Carey Williams pointed out so well, when you're done enjoying it, get rid of it.
hey mjbreen.............that cartoon says it all about a couple a neighbor buddies that I have! I pine for a garage..........
I just have a single carport....but to HAVE A GARAGE! and these fellas have theirs crammed nearly the same as that cartoon. of course the cars are for the driveway. today on the snowy/sleet day..........the 60's muscle car out there.........no tarp.............nuttin! brings tears to these eyes
