lost the appeal of the hobby.

Oh my, just my opinion but your estimates seem way off in my life expireance.. 

Maybe I'm not up with the times but most of the items you have listed I've already tripled and still going.

Mine as well!  I guess I take much better care of my stuff than some do because there's not one item on that list (of the items I have) that has had anywhere near that sort of a short life.  Some of the items--computers and cell phones, for example--get replaced with some frequency because new models with new features are introduced, but the old laptops (for example) that I have around still work just fine.  Includes a Mac Powerbook and an Acer.  They don't see much use, but they still work just fine.

I know a lot of people bemoan the lack of young people in [INSERT NAME OF HOBBY HERE].

Think about it this way: If you didn't lose your kids to the hobby in their teenage years, you wouldn't get any GRANDCHILDREN.

Never lost appeal, just decided to go true O scale.

I have been trying to put my entire MPC, Indy Rail and K-Line items up for sale.

They always seem to get bumped down on the daily priority list.

Stay tuned!

Keeping some PW items for the grand kid, s?

My dad's American Flyer from the early 50's still runs and looks good.

Trains and me took hiatus from my Junior year of High School to my 1st year out of college.  What's that?  About 7 years.

I've just returned after another hiatus that lasted about 18 months.  Life happens.  Sometimes you just have to take care of other things.

Fred

We had trains when I was a kid, now that I'm retired I'm back with a vengeance.   I don't actually have any of the stuff I had as a kid, but with the cool new features, I'm still happy with the return.

I would have a heart to heart talk with my Dad and let him know how much trains and your running sessions have meant to you. Thanking him would mean so much. I would also let him know how you can't wait to replicate that experience with your own children. Let him know how carefully you plan to preserve the trains for that moment. Let him know that just because you can't run trains together in the basement doesn't mean that you can't still enjoy the hobby together at the club.

quote:

 I guess I take much better care of my stuff than some do because there's not one item on that list (of the items I have) that has had anywhere near that sort of a short life

I am guessing that the stuff you have was purchased some time ago.

Sadly, more recently made merchandise is designed for a relatively short lifespan.

Just an example: when I contacted the manufacturer about a problem with my nine year old wall oven, I was told they were only designed to last around ten years.

Regarding selling your trains: its doubtful you can sell them for enough money to make any real difference in your or your parents life.

Hold onto them as long as you can make the space to store them. As others have posted, in the future you will be glad you did.,

On point to the OP. Hold on to them for a while at least. The "feeling" comes and goes. Patience friend!

As a degreed electronic engineer; I must respectfully disagree. Electronic integrated circuits used in the designs of todays DCS/TMCC/Legacy trains DO have a shelf life. For instance, electrolytic capacitors depolarize over time, moisture migration can zap components by working its way up the leads and into complex I.C. components (most of which are of the type used in toys are not hermetically sealed), points of electrical contact can corrode, and if exposed to static electricity, parts can actually burn out. 

Nothing lasts forever.

As for your dad getting access to the trains in the basement. If you can afford one, a stair lift will get him up and down with ease. If my legs ever go out, that's my plan.

I am the President of the Massillon O Gauge Club and I would like to invite you and your Father to visit us along with others who maybe reading this post. About 90 percent of our club is retired, some with mobility problems.  About half of our members now have layouts with several more layouts being built which many members have train runs for other members to join in on. We have lots of club trains and encourage members to bring their own to run. Many of our members also have space problems at home for a layout so belonging to the club gives them a chance to get back into the O gauge hobby. I believe you and your Dad would really enjoy the club as not only is there a nice club layout, but when you are a member here you instantly have about 40 new friends interested in the same things plus many other activities related to the hobby going on.

We are open every Tuesday from 12noon till 4pm and the second forth Tuesday evening or each month from 7pm till around 9 or 10pm. We also are open many Saturdays during the winter. We are located at 301 Lincolnway East in the lower level of the First United Methodist Church in Massillon, Ohio.

You don't have to belong to the church to become a member or plan a visit. Don't be shy about visiting, we are a friendly group and  we usually get from 500 to 600 visitors each year and there is no charge for a visit. Call 330-832-1789 for more information.

Ya know, it really doesn't matter if any of the trains you and your dad enjoy today will be in operating shape 25 years or more from now (I suspect you'll find that most will still run just fine).  What you are preserving are memories of times shared together, and those trains provide tangible evidence of that wonderful bond.  They are worth protecting and holding onto even if at some point in the future they just become highly-treasured shelf queens.  Trust me:  Been there, done that!

Just date girls who like trains and you will kill two birds with one stone.   On a serious note.   Enjoy your Dad as long as you have him.   Mine is gone and I'm 65 and still miss playing trains with him.

its funny, my dad and I used to build the layouts when I was little, every year age 5 to about 10. That was the best tme we had together. then I stopped because, hey friends and sports and skateboarding.  didnt touch mine until I was 30.  I put up a layout in my spare room, had all MPC era trains then.  then projects got me with the house.  did not get back until my daughter was born and she was 3.  did another layout and she had fun.  so now, I am back in full force, chasing trains and building layouts and now with DCS.   I am keeping my dads old Lionel blue streak from when he was a kid. I am going to restore it to original condition.  he beat it up a bit, ran it into a plaster wall... lost the tender. etc.