After 75+ years of playing with/collecting Lionel Trains and building two 1,000 ft2 layouts, it was time to let them all go. It took over six hours for them to be packed and loaded this past Sunday. Our basement foyer went from this (photos show only what was on display):
To This:
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Which auction house did you use? Did you just send them a list of your items? Must have been a bit bittersweet to say goodbye to a lifetime's collection. Godspeed.
@wbg pete posted:After 75+ years of playing with/collecting Lionel Trains and building two 1,000 ft2 layouts, it was time to let them all go. It took over six hours for them to be packed and loaded this past Sunday. Our basement foyer went from this (photos show only what was on display):
To This:
So . . . where did it all go? And what, if any, are your plans going forward?
Pete, I’m sure that wasn’t easy to see your wonderful post-war collection all boxed up. We know we can’t take them with us but I‘m sure you got years of happiness from them. Trainz will find new homes for them so that other collectors can care for those items even longer.
Wow, this is one of the saddest posts I’ve seen in quite a while. Almost makes me want to cry. LOL I can’t imagine how difficult a decision this must’ve been. I know this happens all the time. I’m sure you have very valid reasons for the decision. I think for me it’s just seeing the whole process. Your pictures. The beautiful, full display shelves going to empty. People actually walking out the door with your trains. And the thought that that’ll be me someday….assuming of course that I ever do build a new layout. 
Tough to see those empty shelves. I'm sure they will all find good homes and give the next owner many more years of enjoyment.
Bob
Very nice collection. I'm sure it was a difficult decision to let it go. I hope you saved a few items to display and/or run on a small table.
Don
Wow, what a beautiful collection and so nicely presented! I'm not sad, though---it seems like you made a great and timely decision. The move appeared to go very smoothly and was apparently well organized. We are all acquainted with horror stories as to how huge collections have burdened next of kin. And like others have mentioned, I'm sure your pieces will bring great enjoyment to many other new owners down the line.
All the best.
Wow, I think it was the layout that I drooled over! 
Pete,
I remember when my wife and I visited and saw your collection and layout. That move was definitely gut wretching! I hope you have something in mind to fill the empty spaces in your house and in your life.
Chris
P&O
I'm 80, have a similarly sized collection. Been thinking about this issue. Could you share what triggered your decision, your thoughts process?
Pete, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d be very interested to see an overall picture of your old layout. Seems like it definitely made an impression on people.
Just think....how many of us that has already been - and how many of us will do something similar in the future! (Or have heirs do it for us.) Time stops for no man - no matter how sad we feel. Better plan now!
- @wbg pete posted:
After 75+ years of playing with/collecting Lionel Trains and building two 1,000 ft2 layouts, it was time to let them all go. It took over six hours for them to be packed and loaded this past Sunday. Our basement foyer went from this (photos show only what was on display):
To This:
I would like to say that while yes, the empty shelf’s the packing is very sad. In the end, it shows more about the quality of the man and the fact that you did the right thing, a lot of people hold on until the end and then the wife or spouse is left holding the bag. You are truly a man among men in this hobby.
@mike.caruso posted:Wow, this is one of the saddest posts I’ve seen in quite a while. Almost makes me want to cry. LOL I can’t imagine how difficult a decision this must’ve been. I know this happens all the time. I’m sure you have very valid reasons for the decision. I think for me it’s just seeing the whole process. Your pictures. The beautiful, full display shelves going to empty. People actually walking out the door with your trains. And the thought that that’ll be me someday….assuming of course that I ever do build a new layout.
I totally agree. This is one of the saddest threads I have read in a long time. Those empty shelves are just horrible to look at knowing they were once filled with trains. I understand that no one gets out of here alive but in my opinion everyone's situation is different. What's good for one person may not be good for other people. My wife thinks I have a huge train collection but my collection is smaller than a lot of people that I know. I would like to enjoy my trains up until the end but if I did find out I contracted some sort of bad disease and I knew the end was near I would probably sell everything myself like the OP. I sincerely hope that is not the situation this gentleman is in.
At 78, I recently was diagnosed with cancer. I put an ad on Facebook Marketplace sold all my trains and my layout in one day. The room is empty and is being repainted today. I did not want to burden my family trying to dispose of the collection after I'm gone. A big weight off my mind and theirs as well.
I didn't need to read this today. I thank God for each and every day of life I get. May God & Jesus be with everyone.
All,
Thanks for your kind comments. I hope the trains all wind up in good homes and provide hours of enjoyment to their new owners. I still have my on3/30 layout. I will probably start to dispose of it within the next year,
A couple folks asked for some photos of my last O gauge layout. Here are a few:
OMG, Pete, I've never seen a double-decker O-gauge layout - usually only HO modelers utilize that method. Your layout is spectacular, and please tell me it was photographed and published before you took it down? If not, please share more photos. I must have >100 layouts of all scales captured on DVD, including some of the best ever built, and I am not exaggerating when I say yours is one of the best. I love the curved features - something I am doing as well.
@wbg pete Wow, you really had a phenomenal layout!! I wish I could have seen it in person. The trains, the settings/scenes were all very realistic.
One of the best home layouts of all time!
I’m happy you had such a wonderful time with your trains and created so many great memories. Now the next owners of such fine equipment will continue enjoying them.
Wow. That must have been so much fun to have had in your basement. What a beautiful layout. 
Wow, stunning Pete! Thanks for sharing those photos--just amazing!
I remember looking forward to pics of your waterfront/harbor scene as you worked on it. Was that the finishing touch to the layout?
Pete,
I can't stretch my imagination enough to realize the fortitude it required to make your decision.
Your layout is simply spectacular! Thank you for sharing.
Pete, a tough decision but congratulations on your accomplishments of a beautiful layout. It's all about the design, building and enjoyment and then moving on. And your layout will live on in the pages of OGR for all time.
How do you plan to dispose of your layout, or is it already gone?
All,
The layout pictured earlier in this thread was taken apart in 2014. Large sections of the layout and some of the newer trains that ran on it were sold. The remaining newer Lionel trains were packed and stored.
I built a narrow gauge layout in its place which still exists.
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