How many of you who lack a layout compensate by "overcollecting"?

Carefull there!
I think that more than a few collectors got their start accumulating stuff for a layout that never gets built.
Most of the collectors I know started out as operators.

I agree in so far as I bought trains excessively instead of playing with them. Buying postwar trains and accessories for a layout that only existed on paper was how I spent the 1990's. When I finally started building a layout I found out that running a simple train was a great joy. Maintaining lots of trains and installing lots of accessories was not so much fun as it was 30 years ago. Now with a partial layout I have no motive to resume construction and I just run the same train every few days. Perhaps I became too accustomed to collecting and lost my appetite for playing.

Guilty as charged. Of course, it gives me the option of running HUGE trains at the club if I want to haul all of the stuff down there (reserved for open houses.) Whenever I get a home layout built, I'll probably have to build out in the back yard.

I have a rule that I get rid of stuff if I buy something.  I just picked up a ZW and as soon as I change out the rollersI will sell off three of my transformers.  Same thing with a few trains I have bought over the last few years. I keep getting rid of the lesser part of my collection when I upgrade.  

The upside is that the planned layout is usually a lot bigger than the one you really build so you have a bigger selection of things to put on the layout. I was suprised by how much I had to use when I built my layout that I was able to pick and choose and put in scenes I hadn't originally planned on and fill in areas that in a "planned" layout might have remained vacant for a while.

 

Jerry

A permanent layout is not necessary to run your trains, snap together a layout on the floor and run them.

Did someone call my number?

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I honestly have enough HO in mint boxes to open a small hobby shop.  Have boxes of just bought unopened RMT cars as well but am RUNNING trains on my 2 loops of fastrack at the old carpet central.  One day I will again buy a house with a basement and then we will see what happens.  Until then, I love my setup.

No layout, no trains for me.  Small garage layout, too many trains.

 

Pete

I often hear of people gathering trains and accessories for a layout they hope to have someday. I always wonder if they have at least an oval set up to enjoy them a bit for now or if they have nothing set up at all in wait of the big layout. 

I currently run on a couple of loops through three rooms in my office.  Not sufficient, but I do also run on our club layout.  I have track and accessories, and I'm planning how the basement layout will be done.  It's coming, just not as fast as I'd like.

I have a ton of stuff. I'm waiting for "Plan A" to happen (Winning the lottery) so I can build my dream layout. Most likely everything will leave my place in my estate sale after my passing.

Nope, I have a large layout and I still over collect!

I run almost everything on my carpet central and I'm learning what I will need and not need when I build my small layout. Then there wlli be a fire sale.

When I did not have a layout I over collected.

Now that I have a layout I over collect.

When the layout is gone, I will continue over collecting.

i even call collect.

 

Scrapiron Scher

Ditto!

You can over collect? Hmmmm... I didn't know that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you sure? 

Anyone interested in starting a 12 step program for this?  "Hi.  I'm Bob.  I buy too many toy trains."  "Hello Bob!"   I may start one.

 

Rick aka Bob

Did you say I could only over collect if I do not have a layout??????  I do have a layout... does that mean I can pile up what ever I want??

 

 

Excellent!!!!! it is on man!!!!

 

Can you please define over collect? Im not sure I know what you are talking about

I do/did that BIG time in n scale. Not so much in O. I can run most of what I own, on the Christmas layout

I love your avatar pic!  Was it taken in Rhode Island?

There is one at Hasbro HQ and one in a park in Providence I think.  One summer there was a whole lot, bunch, bushel, burlap sack or what ever the unit of measure for potatoheads are of them spread around the state.

When you get to critical mass, the trains seem to be multiplying on their own.

 

For me, it's genetic I think. My dad loved to stroll over flea markets, I was the only one in the family who just couldn't wait when Saturday came.

As a little kid you're always a bit anxious losing your parents, but he encouraged me to scrounge on my own. He was that old fashioned type of gentleman, jacket and hat and so on. My mother insisted on that. What did he do when we left town? He put on a French beret, which mother certainly would have condemned. He was a tall guy, so I always could find him easily back between the crowd. Grabbing his sleeve and asking him some money, explaining him what treasure I have found, comics, exotic things like a real GI helmet, or a model kit I've never seen before, that was just pure excitement.

When we got back, and reached town he took of his beret, put it in his pocket.

People shouldn't get a false impression and mum just shouldn't know either.

We both knew, hush hush and top secret.

These were the first steps into collecting things, for the sheer pleasure to look at them, even if I don't have time to play too often with them now. It's all about the thrills out of chasing an item, calculating and deliberating the budget, talking with the lady of course, hoping you won't be beaten by another overbidding guy, waiting till the postman finally arrives and holding that boxcar in your hands. Overcollecting? You never can't have enough boxcars, and without a fine GP in front they are missing something. One GP? Without a switcher that little friend is a bit lonely, and at least one electric should be there too.

 

Kieffer

 

 

Before I had my layout, I bought a lot.  Once I started my layout, train purchases dropped.  With limited funds, that money got diverted into track, switches, lumber etc...  The layout has been under construction for the past 4 years.  Do I miss collecting?  I do.  There are many new items out there I would love to have.  Its hard to justify buying more trains when the layout to run them is not done.  The layout construction has been enjoyable.  Now that I have layout to the point where trains are running, I found yet another way to spend my limited train funds.  Upgrades!  Older TMCC engines I now want to add cruise control.  Operating cars I want to upgrade to command control.  Having the layout has opened the door to another part of the hobby I couldn't do before.  And I have not even got to scenery yet!  Its never ending enjoyment and have I enjoyed every step of the way so far.  So while I still miss the pure collecting part of the hobby, I've only just begun the many other parts of this hobby.

Absolutely and I have two loops setup and belong to a club. but, I constantly evaluate items as stuff is acquired and sell at York and online if I know it won't be part of the future layout.

Yeah, but I bet that 12 step program results in 12 new trains! 

 

I'm definitely in the camp of I'll collect even though I have no layout, permanent or even temporary.  I have a track plan for my basement when it shifts from kids game room to Dad's train room (probably 5 years away).

My advice, for what it's worth, is not to wait too long. You never know what life has in store for you around the corner.

 

My best friend since high school was also in to trains. He and I would go to train shows, train shops, etc. He was always buying something for his future "dream layout". He had a 12' X 12' layout in his basement, but he had enough stuff collected to fill a layout many times that size.

 

In 2003 he finally talked his wife into letting him put up a new building for the trains.

 

There was room for a 25' X 30' layout. Before we could get past the planning stage for the layout, he became ill and the layout was put on hold.

 

On Friday night, February 20th, 2004, he called me and told me that he was feeling much better and wanted to get started on the new layout. He said he wanted to get the wood ordered for the table. I told him that was great news and we would go over the plans again to see exactly what he needed to order.

 

On Tuesday morning February 24th, 2004, he suffered a heart attack and passed away at age 58.

 

Like I said, don't wait too long. It may never get built.

 

Twelve step programs work ! !

 

I can tell you that is the truth.

 

I have twelve steps down to the basement where I store my collection.

i go every day.

 

Scrapiron the Over Collector

I have found that a lack of the lakc of a layout does not prevent me from overcollecting.

The next overcollectors support meeting is being held tomorrow in Springfield.

@Ace:

 

Yep, they sure do! Who knows exactly what they get up to down in the basement at night!!  Wine cellar--FULL of trains (well, can't drink alcohol, so I found a great use for the wine cellar . . . .  Sidings full (understatement); shelf layout above regular layout . . . boxes stored in (unheated) garages--it's either me or the train boxes out in the garages, and while I love my trains . . .

Sounds like a severe program, don't think I want to sign up!

It works quite well John. Hey, didn't you buy most of the rolling stock I listed on the forum? I remember a number of big boxes headed your way! LOL!

2. Came to believe that a forum of our understanding would restore us to sanity!

That's why your program would never work for me.

12 step programs are for quitters, and we ain't no quitters!

 

Jerry

 Trainfever, for buildings I mean gathering more than you could ever hope to cram onto your future layout. For rolling stock, more than you could possibly run and so many cars you forget what you already have and at times have unintentionally bought a few of those same cars again because you were unaware you already had them. For a locomotive, buying one not necessarily because you planned on buying it because you thought you needed it but but instead getting it because you think it's a cool looking or rare engine and fear if you don't buy it when you see it that you might never see it available again.