My collecting has outpaced my space!

I was pretty bad. Had as much as 250 pieces of rolling stock and over 40 engines. Thru sales I've whittled it down to about 70 pieces and 15 engines. Still have a few more to sell. Unfortunately all of that reclaimed storage space has been filled with my new passion: Standard Gauge tinplate!

I should probably try to whittle it down to 40 engines and 250 pieces of rolling stock!

Hi Bob2, In this picture, I couldn't help but see your lathe. Is it a Sherwood 16" with a strap belt drive. Many moons ago when I worked for IH in the tool shop, our supervisor had one just like it in his garage. He showed it to several of us in the hope that one of us would buy it. He was moving and didn't want to take it or the tool box full of attachments. I offered him $200.00 in 1970's money and lost out to "3 finger Joe" by $20.00 Really a bad day. Oh yeah, I'm ramblin' again. Bill Lester 

I have more engines than rolling stock, which of course makes no sense.  But neither then does a 64-year old guy playing with toy trains!

I am at 100 engines in the collection.  Since they are all heading sets I have a lot of cars. An 1100 SF train room gives me room to display it all.  I would go nuts if I had to leave these gems in boxes.

Instead of feeling sad, look forward to the next phase of your leisure, discretionary income portion of your life. Once you get beyond the compulsory habit of adding further to you toy train collection (which I too have shared with so many irregulars here), what you are likely to discover is a myriad of other interests both in activities, collectibles, investibles, perhaps fashion, even dining. Having gotten off that train myself I recently purchased my first "step up vehicle' in my life ... and that is only the beginning!

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BTW: Just because you have stopped accumulating for now does not mean you are out of the hobby, or even no longer fit  or qualified to be a participant on these forums.

Sounds like train addition. Confession is a good first step.
 
If people saw my house they might think I was some sort of train nut. But I like to think that my habit is under control because I have track space for the majority of my trains (in multiple scales), so all items get operated fairly regular, and only a relatively few items are on display shelves - also available for operation. I don't have any 'good' trains stored in boxes! Maybe just a few junk items stashed away for potential projects ...
 
My own rule of thumb is, trains are made to be operated and enjoyed, or at least displayed. I can honestly say that I have a full and satisfying collection of trains with no plans for any new major acquisitions. I find it reasonable to budget my space and time and money to what I can reasonably manage. You have to draw a line somewhere.

 

What I most value now is not more trains, but the spare time to enjoy what I already have and to catch up on various train and layout projects.

My era of Mass Acquisitions is truly over, and has been for quite some time; I

would do more "trading up" (or even clearing-out) if I lived in a area of more

train show activity - but, like most of us, actually, my venue selection is small or

distant or both. OGR Forum sales have not happened often, and I do not want to

get involved with eBay or the like (of course, I BUY on eBay!).

 

So, the Killer for me now is not the "I'll take all the items on catalogue pages 23 through 37, please" - it's the "I just need this ONE loco to complete my collection of left-

handed GM&O Mikados..."; "Oh, that DT&I boxcar would be nice...just this ONE."

 

So the chipping away at my sanity continues, if slowly, but inexorably. Drip, drip, drip.

redball342, Yes we few, the very few, a rag tag group of common souls. You give me solace that I am NOT ALONE! 

 

If I got my main layout track and wiring done, I could put some of the volume on the board where it belongs. But like most of us I too have normal things I have to do like fix and maintain my house, maintain the car, etc....etc. that get in the way of doing the fun stuff like playing with toy trains.

 

Paul Goodness

Bill - it is a 9" South Bend.  My real lathe is an 11" Sheldon.  There will be no Sherwoods or Unimats around here.

 

I agree - I try to have all my trains visible.  If there were a pill to cure this disease, I would take it.

I really really HATE these threads!  They make me think about why I spend $115 a month storing cardboard Boxes, why a third of my 3-car garage has a massive divorce-looming storage shelving unit and presently I have twenty engines on my or rather "HER" dining room table.

 

Unfortunately, I am addicted to these threads as they remain the only counseling I can get from others equal challenged with too much STUFF!

 

Folks, same boat and feel your pain.  On the other hand, look at it from this perspective.  We've been truly blessed in order to collect and/or accumulate what we like.  I have trains in our home, at the home of my sister, some stored at a friend's home, and a storage unit up town.  Plus, I must admit we all need a layout or nice display area.

 

Hopefully, by Friday of this week, the correcting of my 'good' ordeal will have a nice plan.  I'll let you guys know in couple of days.  (ps, not getting a divorce nor selling the collection)