WITWIGO?

JOE -

Don't feel guilty - we all have some degree of the same disease.

Keep fighting but if a good deal comes along - buy it before someone else buys it.

Jim S.

Jim, you are a good friend!

I've got to go.... fast.

(Could you define good????)

go and count how many pairs os shoes your wife has, with mine it's purses.

Dick

I say this, buy what you want.  You only go around once.  It's only money.  If you don't spend your money on trains you'll only spend it on something stupid.  That's what always happens to me.  I'll pass up a train I want and then buy something else.  For example, I passed on an engine on ebay then bought an expensive  model kit on ebay that I know I'll never put together.  So, I would have been better off getting the engine that I would have enjoyed more.

And forget your wife's shoes unless your into that sort of thing.

Rick

That does not work here. I met a girl who doesn't buy something unless I force her. One of a kind? When she does buy shoes they are cheaper than my sneakers!

I'm the type to enjoy life as you go and not a big money saver.

 When Ridge Road station was putting out emails of blowout sales, she put the brakes on me. It was a bad time after I was out of work. I didn't know they were closing. I had to miss out on a lot. When things got better, I went too far. 

 She thinks the price of trains are ridiculous. It balances me out. If I really want it, she understands. When I finally build a layout, she will enjoy it too. She likes them, but doesn't want to encourage me too much.

You can have too many engines? I was unaware this was possible? Thought it was like being too rich or too thin, impossible. I sure hope you don't throw rolling stock into the mix here.

It is a mathematical impossibility to have too many engines Joe....trust me I've crunched the numbers. 

Alas, I'm a poor example for this situation, but more on that later.

My advice is to tightly narrow your focus to one primary and one secondary road. That will be the only thing that saves you. My main focus is CNW, followed by ATSF. The limited releases of new CNW locomotives from MTH and the fact that most of the ATSF stuff has bee re-issues of what I already have has slowed engine purchases way down. Now that I've said that I'm going to get killed in the next MTH catalog.

Next is make sure you have space for storage of the new stuff.

I also have too many engines -- over 100 across 20+ years of collecting/operating. This is the down/up side (depending on your point of view) of not having a home layout and running in a club-only environment.

I'm evaluating which engines are going to be sold off/given to the kids in the club to thin the herd. I'm also looking at selling off a bunch of rolling stock I don't use.

"narrow your focus" 

Well, I do only get the colors I like (all of them)???

"you have space"

I built an addition for more running and now a new 2nd garage for even more storage.

 "over 100"!!!

See! I knew I didn't have enough. (I shouldn't count different scales together???)

 Sheesh Matt. Don't use the words "selling off" around me anymore. I don't like it!!

It always leaves a void and I buy many more trying to fill it.

 I'll have to work on you if you are to remain our leader. Our roster's never get smaller. Nothing goes to the scrap yard in our world.

 Well I just counted what I could see. Only 47 ish....

I had finally got a couple of SPs, GPs and sold them before they ever hit the track.

I never got the MP heritage we liked.

No Katy, or the rest of the UP's either. (of course CNW)

Many Eastern roads still void here.

Some models too (like SD60s)!!

Only a lonely CP dummy that needs company. A single Alaska too. A CN and....

No E's or F's whatsoever!! (one large scale set)

Many first generation diesels need to come!!!

 You know, I actually may not have enough!!!!!!!!!!!!! The nerve of some saying I have too many!!!

Joe: Sounds like you should read the post on the Hi Rail forum about hoarding. I do not believe you can have too many locomotives if you need them. Sound like your "want" is greater than your "need" and it has got you in trouble. "

You stated: "I'm the type to enjoy life as you go and not a big money saver.

When Ridge Road station was putting out emails of blowout sales, she put the brakes on me. It was a bad time after I was out of work. I didn't know they were closing. I had to miss out on a lot. When things got better, I went too far."

Sounds like your girlfriend has more common sense.

You sound like you shop like a woman. "it's on sale so I bought it" even though you don't need it. We all have been there. Now I decide is it something I need or something that I want. Will I use it or will I put it away some where.

Also remember when you store models, buildings, and such - "out of sight - out of mind". You are tying up money than when something comes along that you really need you will be able to get it.

Just some thoughts, Stephen

"You sound like you shop like a woman. "

Youch!!!

 Of course it's true. There's no need for name calling here!

I actually told myself that one time. I was buying an engine because it was half price. I said to myself, "just because it's on sale, doesn't mean I have the money"!

 I don't have any tunnel motors! I don't have any SD35s. GP7s, GP9s, Mohawks, Hudsons, AC9s........................etc., etc., etc.

won't somebody buy these??? (and help a guy out?)

https://ogrforum.com/t...-csx-ps-2-0-like-new

https://ogrforum.com/t...r-trade-mth-csx-u30c

 My main road is now CSX.

Hmmm. I don't have any O scale NS engines! (2 NKPs?)

Woman?

or Whoa Man?

Please don't worry...

Every time I think I have "too much" stuff, I just look at others' collections and, Voila!  The feeling goes away!

Take "Mr. Train" himself... TommyZ, or the unsurpassed Mr. Muffin:

Both of these guys have trains upon trains, and shelves full of motive power... Including pallets of unopened trains, and both are great guys and good friends!

I'll never catch them!

Thanks,

- Mario

I model the NH railroad.  I had to stop buying NH EP-5 electrics when I realized I was getting more of them than the prototype.

Joe

 I should not have chose CSX. I believe they have a couple thousand GE's alone!

http://trn.trains.com/railroad...inal&utm_content=

 Maybe I was using these guys as an excuse. Then, Tom and Pops bailed on me.

There's no such thing as too many engines!

Joe,

I hope you received all the humorous and "atta boy" replies you were looking for.  

Now, for a serious reply.  Look at your RR.  How big is it and what trains are you going to run?  A few hopper trains, three or four merchandise freights, a couple of passenger  trains, a few way freights, etc.  After you know what trains you are going to run, you need to power them.  Those engines with a few spares is all you need and you will have fun running them rather than pondering such unanswerable questions.  

Ed

Hi Joe! Thanks for sharing!!

TTA(Toy Trains Anonomous)!

Oh and by the way!!

I have over 30 and don't know what

to do with those!!!

The approach I've adopted to control my instinct to collect the alphabet of PRR Power  was to develop a roster based on a specific era, and region.  In my case it's PRR in 1952 centered around Altoona PA.  That filters out about half the imported brass PRR steam locomotives available in O scale.  As a result I've sold off a large number of locomotives including classes N1, S1, S2, Q1, HH1, and several pre-war detailed M1's and K4's.   My next filter was to develop a concept of operations for the railroad and determine what classes and number of locomotives (4 I1sa's) I'd need to execute it.  Though I've made a few exceptions  (like a K5) I've been able to trim the roster to one that won't overflow the railroad  onto shelves.  Not for everyone - but it works for me. 

Ed Rappe

Here are some "guidelines" that might help.

1. If you don't have enough storage space for your trains, you don't have too many trains; you have too few shelves. Add more!
2. If your layout can't support your trains, you don't have too many trains. You have insufficient layout! Expand it!
3. If your layout is too large for your house, your layout isn't too big. Your house is too small. Expand it!
4. If your neighbor has taken a positive interest in your outdoor railroad, bring him/her into the hobby and negotiate an easement for a new branch line/interchange and/or trackage rights.

There. That should push you right over the edge.

Storage shelves.  The rule is nothing in a box.  All have to be visible either on the shelf or on the layout.  

Wait.......I got to stop laughing......

That's why you're president!

Exactly what I was thinking! 'cept, I hate my neighbors..... (one side calls police on me if I get near the property line, other side doesn't cut the grass all summer, etc.)

 I do appreciate all the ideas. I like the idea of an era and a road or two (area?).

I had tried to go with strictly modern and once I bought a steamer, I had a dozen.

 I tried the "only what fits on the layout" and found myself stashing boxes underneath waiting for expansion.

 When I had so many that I have to go down and look before I buy, I told myself to stop.

 Did I tell any of you how many G scale I've got or I'm getting???

Relax guys, I'm Just having fun with it!

You want a laugh, I have considered (and am still considering) building a layout outdoors. The wife has this flower/plant garden next to the pool. In one of my outdoor designs (prior to her planting the flowers) the area was my staging/setup area since you can't keep O Gauge trains outdoors. My classic line to her is "Your flowerbed is one cold snap away from becoming my staging yard." Oh the dirty looks I get over that.

The outdoor project is on hold as we're looking at relocating to Texas, but the house shopping has included enhanced scrutiny of the overall layout of the back yard.

When I designed my layout I had room to shoehorn in 2 more hidden storage tracks. I figured I'd never use them and did not include them in the final. Right now I really wish I'd have put them in.

It does not sound like 2 extra tracks will help you, though, Joe.

I have a sign in my railroad room that says "He who has the most toys when he dies wins."  Yeh right.

I have a friend who has a serious focus problem.  He started out collecting in HO, then switched to O Scale.  Originally he only went for B&O and WM. When he moved from Maryland to Indiana his interests expanded.  It has reached the point now where he is suffering from a terminal neurological condition and has to get rid of a full basement of models (I understand there are floor to ceiling shelves), as well as, two storage units filled to capacity.  When he finally made an inventory, he discovered that he had made quite a few duplicate purchases because he forgot about the first purchase.  He indicated to me that he expects no more than 25-30% of his original purchase prices.

He has never been able to build even a loop of track on which he could run his models because the basement was full of boxes.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here is: Yu gotta set limits.

Wes 

Well, I may not Win by having the most toys when I die, but I do hope to place or make a showing!

 I look up to you. So I would never mean to make any rude comments. I have learned that you build as big as you can comfortably.

 I built an engine yard and a car yard. They were both filled before emptying the boxes I had bought. So some stuff stayed under the table.

 As soon as I built my old shed, it filled up. I just doubled it's size now and guess what? It's filled up. We expand into whatever space we have to use.

 I built a large addition to the house. I thought at first it was too big. It took a few years to pay it down and fill it with furniture. Now it's just right.

 The limits I set on myself are always temporary or a means to slow down with. These manufacturers keep making stuff that I need. It's truly amazing how much you I can spend on trains if you when I want. I admire the guys with rural scenery and just a few trains. Something in me wants big long trains with diesels shoving and smoke billowing! steamers too!

 I don't ever think I'll win the contest. I just want to place.

Hey Matt, I beat you??? I'm ahead of you outside!  

I'm not laughing...trust me. You should see the bill.

I think I need a sign with this on it in the train room.

Joe, you're a good guy. Keep up your enthusiasm.

A few years ago I was in a lull and seriously looking into adding some diesels. I thought I was caught up with steam. Unexpectedly, some rare scratch built steam engine models became available to add to the layout and the diesel search has ended for a while at least. 

And this is why I have 2 storage tubs of rolling stock that will go to the Strasburg meet next month - might be 3 or 4 by then,

OTOH, I do have that storage unit that has my son's stuff in it that could........

Well, it is a hobby, so within reason, you do what gives you the most pleasure.

If it is any consolation, I reached an end point about five years ago, realizing that with one or two exceptions I had at least one of everything in O Scale that I wanted.

Last year I picked off a set of 66"USH drivers for a possible AC-4.  This year my only purchase is an Athearn "Feather" box car.  I have reached nirvana, in some sense.

I am spending more time at the airport these days, and way more time on forums than I spend actually modeling.  I think I have maximized the return on my hobby.

In short - don't worry too much about it.  It will probably work out in the way that makes you happiest.

It must be this time of year. There's stuff coming from every direction. I ordered too much. I bought even more. I stopped. So I bought more. I said that's it! and then I bought more! I can't even get to my layout.

 Now there's even more stuff that is hard to find at great prices. WITWIGO!!!

I think I hate October. Next year, I'd better take a train trip without electronics.

Good thing when the DCS wifi comes out you can go past 99

Clem

That's good because I'm way over that now! Maybe they can use the road numbers? That will take me awhile to fill.

Thanks Clem!