I am turning 80 this month, and as I prepare an updated will, I need some advice on what to do with my Large Scale collection.
I don’t have any family members I want to leave it to. I don’t want it to go to Trainz where someone will get 50 percent of its worth. There is no Large Scale Club here in New Jersey.
So I am looking for advice from this group of friends that I have known the longest.
Lou Luczu
First Happy Birthday Lou!
Second. If no friends or family want your trains I suggest you donate it to a charity that can sell / auction it off and make good use of the money. I know that is only one step above Trainz but at least your joy of railroading will live on helping some one else. Plus who ever winds up with it will most likely pay more in support of a charity and thus really want it. Meaning they will get as much out of it as you have.
$.02 and since you are crossing the eighty yard line I will cover that charge.
Lou; HAPPY BIRTHDAY… I just turned 85, so I understand your situation, and I have no family interested in my railroad STUFF.
Since you and I won’t be around to get rid of it, and there is no “Club” to donate it to…I’m just going to give the stuff to my FRIENDS, which I’m very fortunate to have many of.
You might consider just sending a car or two to chosen Friends, so they can have fond memories of your friendship. Some might even help[ by offering to pay for the shipping…!!
Too many people seem to always look at “How much I’m going to get for the stuff”, when the true value is in how much pleasure you or I can share with others by just giving it away to true FRIENDS.
Fweddy
Many thanks for the suggestions. You have planted s seed. My small Hungarian church here has less than 10 families left. There is Bodnar’s Auction which is a Hungarian name. I should contact him, let him auction, and donate the money to the church.
Huzzah!
Lou, as I recall from that last York show, you sure don’t look that old… Hmmm… I guess you Hungarians have all the luck in that department!
But yeah, happy BD!
In my opinion, for what it’s worth, a selling agency / auction house is worth a good 30%, since they up the exposure (granting a higher sales price), and handle the transaction and shipping.
From that perspective, you bet, Bodnar’s Auction sounds like a great match.
Some others that you may or may not be aware of:
Ambrose-Bauer, located in Pittsburg, is big in sales of model railroad cars and engines, sometimes structures. Often G.
Stout Auctions, In Indiana, is another big one focusing only on trains, and they do consignment services.
Cabin Fever Auctions, down in Tuckahoe MD. I think they do a flat fee of 30%, and handle pickup and everything IIRC. Unfortunately, they’re not nearly as active these days.
For me, FWIW, my checklist for choosing one of these includes:
- Are their fees reasonable (e.g., 30% all in)
- Do they pick up?
- Do they photograph and catalog?
- Do they have decent, nationwide coverage?
- Do they handle fulfillment / shipping?
Just thoughts.
And please buy a bottle of gray dye for your hair, it’ll make your story seem more plausible.
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Lou, you can’t take it with you, but there might be something that brings you and your friends joy.
Consider a road trip to visit your closest LargeScale Centralian Friends, run a car on their railway, take photos and leave the car behind as a memory of your trip.
Your mileage may vary, as you see fit.
My stuff is pretty run of the mill , so with the exception of the cars the grandkids tagged , whatever they get for it I am good with that.
Lou,
For what it’s worth, I second the notion of letting your favorite charity auction it off in your name. Though I am about three decades behind you in laps around the sun, I am fortunate - if terrified - that my kids have already divvied up the Triple O! What they can’t take / don’t want, I will give the Hawaiian Railway Society, which puts the money to good use.
Donating items to friends is also an awesome idea. We are honored to preserve Dave Marconi’s modeling heritage here in far off Hawaii ( @David_Jr ). It is a tribute to his skills and a way to keep his memory rolling even as he rides first class on the Wabash Cannonball! I am sure that there are many LSC-ers who can run and appreciate what you have built.
I have to go…someone is eyeing my car and giving me “side eye.”
Eric
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