Last night I got a phone call from a friend to go for a drive with him.
We ended up at the home of a recently departed model RRer. Thankfully,
the recently departed model RRer had told his spouse while he was in the
hospital to contact our mutual friend who in turn contacted me to assist.
His widow had asked if we could help sort some of the mess out, sell off
what we can and help by removing the partially completed layout. Our
initial visit was to see what we were up against. All I can say is as I
looked at his layout and workbench on the third floor of his house, is
that it very much reminded me of my situation that I just spent two days cleaning up. The irony was not lost on me.
She was not aware of what is there or the value involved as ‘he only spent
$20 a week’ on model RR stuff. She had numerous people who knew the
layout existed if they could have a look and maybe purchase some of his
stuff. Last night when we were there we found a brass tender and a brass
Climax and set them aside and informed her of what they are and why she
should not sell them cheaply if she did dispose of them before we got back to start.
She only knew of the Climax (but not what it was or what it looked like)
becase one of his friends residing in another province had told her about it. There
are other things there that are certainly valuable in their own right,
albeit not like the brass stuff, but still worth more than $10 or $15
dollars some snipe may have offered for them. Other things that have $10
or 15 dollar price tags from 1985 doesn’t necessarily mean they are worth
that or more now. You know it and I know it. Those not involved in the hobby don’t.
To my model railroading friends, when we walk out of the house each day,
it may be the day that we don’t return. Don’t leave the mess for you
Those are goo words, Ric. Part of my duties when I was in the Canadian Armed Forces was to provide orientation for those leaving. We provided one-on-one counselling and advice or referral, and we provided twice annually a two-day retirement preparation seminar. One of our presentations was sure to be provided by a local law practice on wills and estate planning. One of the pillars of estate planning is having a trusted agent, called an executor, to dispose of your estate in accordance with both your expressed wishes (as stated in your will) and the Law.
First, do have a will. The day before you go would be great.
Do select and get agreement from an executor, and an alternative in case you and your executor are good friends and both die in a car crash on the way to a model train show.
Do treat loved ones with respect and consideration by advising them of the will and its location, and also of your choice of executors.
As you say, Ric, a little forethought and planning can make what happens after you go a lot more pleasant for those left behind.
Planning is the correct route, but information as to your layout should be given to someone(preferably in writing) as to the dispostion of the train “stuff” I know of 2 occasions where the wife took all those “damn toys” and they went to the dump in boxes. No one usually knows the value of these trains, and in many many cases they are simply dumped as old toys—this happens way more times than you can believe----- At least contact someone about your train set so it doesn’t become land fill. According to a lot of posts on this forum, members actually never tell their wives the value or amount they spend on trains, so no wonder they end up in the trash.
And that is the reason why I brought this up. A smaller collection may very well end in the the garbage. We have all heard the stories.
I saw the dispair on the widow’s face (maybe dispair isn’t the right word but more of a deer in the headligts look) as she looked around the room wondering where to start.
In planning ahead, get a certified copy of your will and an inventory of your equipment to your Personal Representative (aka Executor) and keep the inventory up to date. If your will is in your safe deposit box, it might be impounded by the authorities until it’s way too late. If it’s in your executor’s (or legal advisor’s) safe deposit box, it will be available instantly in time of need.
For those who have been giving their spouses the mushroom treatment, now isn’t too soon to 'fess up. Sit down with her, a glass of appropriate beverage and a copy of the inventory and let her in on the fact that there might be a gold mine in that roomful of clutter. And make sure she realizes that the value can only be appraised accurately by someone active in the hobby.
Don’t have an inventory? Well, don’t just sit there! You have a very important job ahead.