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Post by runamuckchuck on Feb 28, 2024 20:42:00 GMT
I will throw another question into the subject. What happens to the millions of trains in our collections when we are gone? Young people have little interest, we know that, but as they reach middle age and the senior years will they look back at dads layout/collection and use that as something to keep them occupied? Even if our collections are sold someone will buy them. The prices may fall into the mud and It may become a new cheap hobby for many. Well, no real reason to speculate -- there's a regular parade of "new members" on all the forums who only want to know how to dispose of their (or a friend's) dearly departed's trains, as well as a somewhat similar number of those who have newly discovered remnants of their or their family's childhood train set in the attic, and want to do something with it. IMHO the main difference between the groups are childhood experiences with model trains, theirs or others, or at least a childhood envy of those who could afford such luxuries. Again IMHO, the number of us who had *no* such formative experiences and rather instead just decided to take it up as an adult hobby are minimal. YMMV . . . For better or worse I am one of those who had no real formative childhood experience with model trains, or a least experiences which would cause me to pursue or continue the hobby as an adult. Unfortunately to actually play with and enjoy toys was a risky business in my household should one accidentally damage or otherwise mar the more expensive items that I might receive. Consequently my double A Santa Fe aluminum car passenger set was mint up until the day I sold it as a young adult. It was more of an exorcism than a need for money. Despite all that I have flirted with model trains off and on as a maturing and now older adult. I am still careful with my stuff, and particular about what I buy used. But at least I can attest to deriving some enjoyment now.
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Feb 28, 2024 22:19:01 GMT
For better or worse I am one of those who had no real formative childhood experience with model trains, or a least experiences which would cause me to pursue or continue the hobby as an adult. Unfortunately to actually play with and enjoy toys was a risky business in my household should one accidentally damage or otherwise mar the more expensive items that I might receive. Consequently my double A Santa Fe aluminum car passenger set was mint up until the day I sold it as a young adult. It was more of an exorcism than a need for money. Despite all that I have flirted with model trains off and on as a maturing and now older adult. I am still careful with my stuff, and particular about what I buy used. But at least I can attest to deriving some enjoyment now. Well, I think you *might* qualify in the "jealous of others" category, at least a bit jealous of those kids allowed to *be* kids with their toys! Not that I'm usually a fan of wanton destruction, mind you (though there *was* that episode involving an old plastic model battleship and an M-80 in the ditch behind our house a few years back . . .  ), but sometimes having to be *too* careful can be rather off-putting. Glad you stuck with the hobby, 'Chuck!
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Post by ron045 on Feb 28, 2024 22:46:26 GMT
What happens to the millions of trains in our collections when we are gone? My son is going to get some good deals. The best digital signature I ever saw, "The biggest fear I have when I die is that my wife will sell my trains for what I told her I paid for them".
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Post by Traindiesel! on Feb 28, 2024 23:30:10 GMT
It seems from the reports on this ATMA show that the hobby is definitely shrinking and dying!  Ha Ha... That was the same thing I heard while standing online outside about 50 deep at 0915. "This hobby is supposed to be dead, what are all of these people doing here?"
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Post by Traindiesel! on Feb 28, 2024 23:33:30 GMT
I will throw another question into the subject. What happens to the millions of trains in our collections when we are gone? Young people have little interest, we know that, but as they reach middle age and the senior years will they look back at dad’s layout/collection and use that as something to keep them occupied? Even if our collections are sold someone will buy them. The prices may fall into the mud and It may become a new cheap hobby for many.
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), but sometimes having to be *too* careful can be rather off-putting. Glad you stuck with the hobby, 'Chuck!
