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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):

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Original Post

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@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.  

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.

  1. @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):

IMG_0869IMG_0870IMG_0871IMG_0873IMG_0544

IMG_0874

IMG_0551IMG_0552

To This:

IMG_1410IMG_1411IMG_1412



IMG_1416

IMG_1413 [1)IMG_1414

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.

Last edited by ThatGuy
@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.

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.

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