Running Bear's January 2023 Coffee Shop

[Alcomotive]

Well, good morning! Goal 1 of 4 for 2023 now complete. Wiring to lights was corrected last night at the club and my first DC to DCC conversion is complete. Thanks to Fergus of our Dartmouth model railroad club and member of the NMRA for making this happen, what a great teacher! CN 4100 shown here running through her paces on the club track.

View attachment 159656

View attachment 159657

Congrats for your milestone! That gotta feel good! Nice that you set the goals then complete them!

 

[kbkchooch]

What happens when you’re the last man standing?
Enquiring minds want to know!

You Win!

 

[Alcomotive]

Good morning from Wisconsin. A ”Wintery” mix is falling as its 32f degrees. 49 is predicted for later.

Inventory, my insurance company used to request a yearly update on my train inventory. Just as they did for art and jewelry. Structures, electronics, freight cars and locomotives. The actual layout structure was never covered. I now just keep my own inventory updated on a thumb drive and because I churn (buy/sell) my freight cars constantly I update it frequently. That is the only time I use that thumb drive. I don’t believe there is any info left on the IPadPro when I remove the drive.

I have the retail pricing that I would list for the insurance company. I also put the prices of what I actually paid for myself on it but did not show that line to insurance. I still do all this but no longer separately insure the trains.

As to security, yes …

when I go, the LHS owner (he is aware) will be contacted by the family, the wife and daughter know the password for the thumb drive

Not sure what will happen today, just going with the flow

To ALL

This is an interesting topic and can be a hot button for some. I have pondered on this for many years about my collection and it's valuation and other things that entail all the conundrum to this hobby.

I have many times re-assessed my situation as it is just me. No wife, no kids, no significant other etc. I do have my parents and an older sister. 3 nephews and 3 godsons. None of them are interested or have a clue about the hobby and it's valuation.

As of recent as some of you know I lost my youngest sister to tragic accident at the age of 51. One goes through their mortality and ends up self evaluating things in their life. I have had many thoughts and ideas on what I should do or not do. None of them make a lot of sense or is the best situation for anyone really. No one wants the daunting task of rifling through the deceased persons estate but then there are some who do enjoy that which comes along with greed and other ill intentions to profit from etc. Then again some are not that way.

For years I have had a program that I use for tracking all of my model railroad collection including the books and memorabilia. I have pictures of every thing and placed a purchase price of what I paid for it and then a valuation on them what it should sell for. If I sold anything then it shows it sold for whatever price. I am finding the older I get though it has become more of a task and tedious. I do store all of this on a thumb drive and on a back-up as well.

At some point I will have a "finish" layout to my liking and will run it for a few years. I know it sounds crass or harsh or even unbelievable but I will come to a point where I will sell off everything and dismantle whatever I have. At the very least I will sell 75% off. So at what point do I do this? I dunno but it is in my mind to do this. I know I enjoy the hobby but my other passion of fishing is my #1 hobby. When I get to a point where I need to move south from NY to Alabama I think I will drastically reduce my train collection etc and Ebay, FB Market place will be a place I will sell off.

Even my hobby of fishing is quite vast and I have quite the inventory there too. I have very large and 40 year collection of Rapala lures and ABU Garcia reels. I do have other lure name brands like Bagley's, Heddon, etc. All that started at a tender age of 10 years old thanks to my grandfather and uncle. This will end up going to my #3 Godson though as he is a true fisherman at heart and currently competes on a Highschool team. No worries there. I may sell some items to bank some money later though lol.

All in all I do enjoy our hobby. I know we all try to inventory or things and place value on it but in the end does it really affect you or does it matter? If it does..... then consider reducing your mass collection and take the money use it as you will or not. I guess the point is, it is your dime your time, and your obsession's to the hobby. Do you just say who cares and then let the chips fall where they do when your gone? Like does it matter? Since most of you have significant others, you may want to lessen the burden. By preparing for that before hand is a good thing I would think. I think I am just rambling with thoughts. I just know in the MRR hobby I will at some point do an exit or at least a huge reduction on my collection. When that is? I don't know and then again it may be to late and my number may get called. So again does it matter? No one knows really.


Bottom line: I tend to do what makes me happy and sometimes I do what I can to make others happy. Materialistic things... we all get strapped to or trapped into ownership of things. I choose to make the best of my time and not just what I have. Spending time doing the things I enjoy and spending it with someone I care about or love. Time is more valuable than any one thing we have or own BUT it is only of value to you when you spend it in a way that exudes your happiness and love for the life you lead. We are all just passing through like train in the night.

Peace

 

[bnsf971]

 

[Texas Hobo]

Inventory - I keep mine on a thumb drive. I use Excel for the data part, and a second folder for photos. Using a hyperlink I can get a picture in the Excel file. I log engines, cars, track, buildings and most of the scenery items like lights and vehicles. I don't insure them separately, like jewelry or art work.

I have been working on a new interlock tower, and just about complete. As far as running trains, mostly rail fanning.

STAY SAFE
;ATER

 

[chadbag]

I do have a spreadsheet to track locomotives, EMU/DMU, etc but more to track DCC address and decoder type etc. so I know how to access it on track. I do need to get around to photographing and inventorying everything.

 

[Smudge617]

To ALL

This is an interesting topic and can be a hot button for some. I have pondered on this for many years about my collection and it's valuation and other things that entail all the conundrum to this hobby.

I have many times re-assessed my situation as it is just me. No wife, no kids, no significant other etc. I do have my parents and an older sister. 3 nephews and 3 godsons. None of them are interested or have a clue about the hobby and it's valuation.

As of recent as some of you know I lost my youngest sister to tragic accident at the age of 51. One goes through their mortality and ends up self evaluating things in their life. I have had many thoughts and ideas on what I should do or not do. None of them make a lot of sense or is the best situation for anyone really. No one wants the daunting task of rifling through the deceased persons estate but then there are some who do enjoy that which comes along with greed and other ill intentions to profit from etc. Then again some are not that way.

For years I have had a program that I use for tracking all of my model railroad collection including the books and memorabilia. I have pictures of every thing and placed a purchase price of what I paid for it and then a valuation on them what it should sell for. If I sold anything then it shows it sold for whatever price. I am finding the older I get though it has become more of a task and tedious. I do store all of this on a thumb drive and on a back-up as well.

At some point I will have a "finish" layout to my liking and will run it for a few years. I know it sounds crass or harsh or even unbelievable but I will come to a point where I will sell off everything and dismantle whatever I have. At the very least I will sell 75% off. So at what point do I do this? I dunno but it is in my mind to do this. I know I enjoy the hobby but my other passion of fishing is my #1 hobby. When I get to a point where I need to move south from NY to Alabama I think I will drastically reduce my train collection etc and Ebay, FB Market place will be a place I will sell off.

Even my hobby of fishing is quite vast and I have quite the inventory there too. I have very large and 40 year collection of Rapala lures and ABU Garcia reels. I do have other lure name brands like Bagley's, Heddon, etc. All that started at a tender age of 10 years old thanks to my grandfather and uncle. This will end up going to my #3 Godson though as he is a true fisherman at heart and currently competes on a Highschool team. No worries there. I may sell some items to bank some money later though lol.

All in all I do enjoy our hobby. I know we all try to inventory or things and place value on it but in the end does it really affect you or does it matter? If it does..... then consider reducing your mass collection and take the money use it as you will or not. I guess the point is, it is your dime your time, and your obsession's to the hobby. Do you just say who cares and then let the chips fall where they do when your gone? Like does it matter? Since most of you have significant others, you may want to lessen the burden. By preparing for that before hand is a good thing I would think. I think I am just rambling with thoughts. I just know in the MRR hobby I will at some point do an exit or at least a huge reduction on my collection. When that is? I don't know and then again it may be to late and my number may get called. So again does it matter? No one knows really.


Bottom line: I tend to do what makes me happy and sometimes I do what I can to make others happy. Materialistic things... we all get strapped to or trapped into ownership of things. I choose to make the best of my time and not just what I have. Spending time doing the things I enjoy and spending it with someone I care about or love. Time is more valuable than any one thing we have or own BUT it is only of value to you when you spend it in a way that exudes your happiness and love for the life you lead. We are all just passing through like train in the night.

Peace

A interesting perspective, as you say, when is the right time, for some, I'm sure it will be never, but certainly food for thought as we get older and our health slowly ebbs away.

My daughter also has no interest and I know she will simply call a dealer and sell the lot for a pittance, that's why I'm separating, mainly the Locomotives, into boxes, some were quite inexpensive and those she can sell to a dealer, the others, mainly the HO DCC sound Loco's are on a spreadsheet with what I paid for them, so hopefully she can get a decent sum for them on eBay FB etc.

 

[Jaz avalley]

Well, howdy there internet MRR people, and those watching sportsball.

It's Troy again.

I believe that I've got the 3D printer bed adhesion issue rectified. I'll know in four hours or so.

Since everyone is all about sportsballing, here's my upcoming team. Its for the Crusades bowl!

View attachment 159484

The figure front, far right was 3d printed. The others are figures from Gripping Beast minis, in hard plastic

Not sure if these will be part of the Mutatawwi'a or The Moors. I'm leaning toward Moors. But the Muts get camels instead of horses.

Those are conversations you don't hear on the Gridiron!

Editing my intro to the Canadian Eerie Falls series today. Question for the Canadians on the forum:
Timmies
or
Timmys?
Or does it matter?

Love me a camel

 

[Jaz avalley]

A interesting perspective, as you say, when is the right time, for some, I'm sure it will be never, but certainly food for thought as we get older and our health slowly ebbs away.

My daughter also has no interest and I know she will simply call a dealer and sell the lot for a pittance, that's why I'm separating, mainly the Locomotives, into boxes, some were quite inexpensive and those she can sell to a dealer, the others, mainly the HO DCC sound Loco's are on a spreadsheet with what I paid for them, so hopefully she can get a decent sum for them on eBay FB etc.

I have notes for ours too, selling them en made to a dealer means he prices to make a profit not her, plus you can make on the postage if your careful, I kept boxes and put them in really useful boxes to keep them in good condition I have loads of boxes I have never opened…coughs, we have a lot listed with purchase cost,but a lot not, I suspect they’ll sell asap. Even the scaletrix might get sold, although I suspect that there will be some serious racing,and bashing,winces as sone of those models are pretty collectible,
but we won’t be here to see it so.…..l

 

[Jaz avalley]

Easily done, and I think we've all done that, me more than once

Me not at all, I am not allowed to touch the electronics, the ex signals has very definite ideas, and if you go near it and it goes wrong there is not a cold stare….nope it’s run for you life time lol.
Not that I am incapable of reading,learning or otherwise, but even wiring a 13 amp plug comes with an inspection and rarely is deemed of good quality, plus hey someone else doing the dirty work, how easy is that lol

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Started out with a morning walk at 48F. Did some chores then basically I sat on my backside except for ordering a Pennsy NX23 Cabin car resin kit from Westerfield Models. There was a thread about them on another forum that rekindled my interest in them. Dad did 2 Covid tests today and both came back positive. Crap. He still has no symptoms. A nurse told him he can get positive tests for 30 days after the illness.

Jeff- I made Eagle in 1974 in the Transatlantic Council (Germany).

Smudge- Great looking steamer.

TruckDad- Nice scene.

Gary- Congrats on a successful install.

Troy- Congrats on the start of #10. I didn't realize you have so many books to your name.

Christian- That is an eclectic collection of diesels.

Willie- Nice layout shots.

Sherrel- I saw King Newsome on the news. Long live the king.

PRR NX23



I hope everyone has a good night.

 

[TLOC]

Back to the model railroad collection.

I already commented about an inventory, and having used insurance. I no longer have a separate Rider on the policy. I was at the LHS this morning and I asked or reminded the owner that if something happens to me the family will contact him.

He works this way. He and a couple co-horts come to the collection, review it and takes pictures. He will strongly suggest then the family go through and keep what they want. He said since Covid, no family of the 20+ collections has kept ANYTHING. He then offers a payment. No one has turned him down but has had a few arguing family members. He feels he is fair, 20-30% AT MOST of what he thinks is market value. So what he can sell for $100 he might pay $30. He does disassemble the layout but is thinking of stopping that.

What I have done to help the family with any issues with my model railroading is I have greatly already reduced the fleet. Locomotives at one time over 100 now total just 7, yep 7. Before the layout came down in December the last operating session of 90 minutes used 4 locomotives. The freight cars though are in a constant state of flux. I like to buy and sell. Some that I sell were only purchased to weather and sell never to see my layout. Others are churned just to bring something new to the layout. Structures in kit form are down to under 10 from hundreds at retirement in 2014.

WHY?

Well, I love my family. I never agreed with some that say “Hey what do I care what they do with it“. I hope they are sad I am gone but to burden them with getting rid of toys, that’s not me. I have in the last year or so started keeping the boxes everything is purchased in. I use my personal purchases and always tossed the boxes. I can tell you though that in all the years I have sold online, except for brass locomotives, no one has asked about or refused to buy because I didn’t keep the box.

I hold out hope that a few pieces will stay with the family, but since I don’t hold much sentimental value, why should they.

As James, wrote. This can be controversial or not. No matter what your feelings are, IMO just make their burdens a bit lighter

 

[Boris]

Dad did 2 Covid tests today and both came back positive. Crap. He still has no symptoms. A nurse told him he can get positive tests for 30 days after the illness.

Curt: Sorry to hear that, but....the way these tests work is crazy. Your dad, shows no symptoms, other than being exposed to another positive testing individual...then tests positive twice without showing any outward signs of infection. I have been sick twice, really believing I had Covid, just to test negative multiple times while actively ill, and once additionally, three weeks after...go figure...

Just got eight self tests in the mail, courtesy Brandon, and the USPS....at least these are made in USA, and packaged better.

The NX23 looks like a great project. Maybe you could blog the construction process?

 

[Smudge617]

Love me a camel

Love me a camel, cry me a desert.
I'm sure that's a Micheal Buble song.

 

[troyphoto]

Back from taking mom to the doc. Today was just a checkup. Go back in a few weeks for the next set of injections.

After taking wife out for Pizza King, came home and put together the horsies and riders I've been printing.

Please note the "Tactical Bark" nuggets. I hate when a horse model is rearing. That only give two spindly connection points to the base. A sure way to break the horse off at the shanks.

I'll be adding spears and javelins in soon. Need to hit the LHS and see how thin of brass rod they carry. The 3D printed versions break off all the time. And the pre-made plastic ones are too chunky to look good.

these are Moorish warriors from the Reconquista to Crusades era. I probably won't get them painted before this weekend, but I will get some paint on them.

 

[chessie_system3]

Evening fellers. I hope everyone is doing well. Received my new locomotive today. Tested it out and it runs really well! I huge surprise given I haven't lubricated it yet and it's a blue box. Usually my experience with new in box old Athens sound more like coffee grinders than anything else. This one runs however didn't get the memo. It isn't without it's flaws though. It's reporting marks are wrong. The number on it makes it a B&O unit not C&O. Maybe a future decal project. I do have a B&O cab that would fit. I'm just not a fan of cannibalizing good shells. Made a journey to my soon be new shop today to pickup the shop truck and fix it's woes before I take over. My promotion to lead tech was made official today as well. I really wish this would have happened some time sooner. Would have made visits to see my late father a heck of a lot easier. It is what it is I suppose. This came along when it was meant to. Anyways. That's all I have for now. I'll stop by again when I get a chance.

 

[kbkchooch]

Love me a camel

I've smoked a few!

 

[CambriaArea51]

Tom and James- I myself have been reducing my inventory. Covid halted it do to not going to shows to sell stuff. Not having kids I have nobody to pass down the hobby so a reduction will be less burden down the road.

 

[santafewillie]

Earlier this afternoon, I read the news that legendary guitarist Jeff Beck passed away yesterday from bacterial meningitis at age 78. If you ever saw him play live, it was always incredible. After playing with the Yardbirds for almost two years, he hit the recording industry hard with his first two Jeff Beck Group albums with his vocalist Rod Stewart. RIP Jeff.

 

[Boris]

Good evening. 28° and cloudy. Rain expected after 0300. Suppose the temperature will rise to the forecast low of 36°, otherwise we ar in for an unforecast freezing rain episode.

Caps at Flyers, down to the last minute, Flyers 4, Caps 3...Empty net goal/hat trick for Travis Konecny, Flyers win 5-3. Torts is proving that he is a great coach, getting the most out of a average team. I was able to find a Philly radio station that carried the game over the air. Apparently, I cannot access radio broadcasts of blackout games on ESPN or NHL.com. Game was 2-1 after 2 periods, when I found the broadcast. Flyers built up a 4-1 lead, then almost blew the lead, but hung on to clinch it with the ENG.

Spent more time in the train room, today, working on weathering a BB 50' gondola, and later, running a switching scenario. Nice to get back into the groove.

This week is flying by...Need to go to ShopRite to get what we forgot or couldn't get at BJ's, so that's tomorrow's exercise. We need to get an early start before the rain gets heavier.

It isn't without it's flaws though. It's reporting marks are wrong.

Justin: Athearn was not known for adherence to accuracy concerning road numbers. I have changed numbers to update renumbered units, just remember to change the number boards also. (Same would apply if you swapped cabs). Good luck with your new position.

PC power at Race Street Engine Terminal...Martin S. Kaufman photo, date unknown.