Model Train Journal

Stout is auctioning off Jack Wheelihan's collection this afternoon:
November 30, 2018: Williamsport, IN – Outstanding G scale collection part 2, Plus the highly detailed 3 rail scale collection of Jack Wheelihan, and more!

The O-gauge stuff starts at Lot #300, while the weathered 3-Rail Scale stuff starts at Lot #421.

So far, the only surprising result to me is that online bidders have bid Lot #508, Golden Gate Depot modern O gauge Southern Pacific Daylight articulated chair car set up to $725!

The live auction is currently on Lot #265, so they probably won't get to the O-gauge stuff until after their lunch break.

Interesting. Derek Thomas (Notch 6) just released an interview with Wheelihan and also, I believe, works for Stout. Wheelihan was born in 1942 and thus is about 76 years of age. I guess the time has come to divest himself of his accumulated beloved hobby equipment. Hope it isn't due to health concerns. Haven't finished listening so perhaps more details come along later in the podcast. Much of the podcast is about his career at EMD and with full scale locomotives.

http://notch6.com/

Apparently the reasons he is selling his collection are the need for the future need of downsizing his daily life/selling his house, the difficulty in continuing scale modeling due to vision and dexterity issues, and perhaps most importantly, that he no longer gets much pleasure from model trains. Nothing lasts forever, as we all know. Hopefully he has other things in life that bring him satisfaction, meaning and even some occasional joy.

Chris Webster wrote:So far, the only surprising result to me is that online bidders have bid Lot #508, Golden Gate Depot modern O gauge Southern Pacific Daylight articulated chair car set up to $725!

I wasn't aware that S.P. used any articulated passenger cars. Interesting.

Neil wrote:...he no longer gets much pleasure from model trains.

I would guess he has a variety of interests, and as he gets more into one thing, other things are pushed to the side. That's the way it is with me. I like cars, tanks, stuff from Irwin Allen TV shows, etc. Some things more than others, at any given time. I can't tell you how many times I've circled back to trains.

Also, frankly, there's a lot of pressure on older folks, to give up things they value. In some cases, that can be very sad.

I'm afraid this is more the realities and ravages of aging rather than too many other interests. As Byron wrote:
"So, we'll go no more a roving
So late into the night,
Though the heart be still as loving,
And the moon be still as bright.

For the sword outwears its sheath,
And the soul wears out the breast,
And the heart must pause to breathe,
And love itself have rest.

Though the night was made for loving,
And the day returns too soon,
Yet we'll go no more a roving
By the light of the moon."

Neil,
Thank you for posting the Byron.
It is very appropriate for me.
And possibly some others.

Neil wrote:I'm afraid this is more the realities and ravages of aging rather than too many other interests. As Byron wrote:
"So, we'll go no more a roving
So late into the night,
Though the heart be still as loving,
And the moon be still as bright.

For the sword outwears its sheath,
And the soul wears out the breast,
And the heart must pause to breathe,
And love itself have rest.

Though the night was made for loving,
And the day returns too soon,
Yet we'll go no more a roving
By the light of the moon."

This board needs a "thumbs up" emojie!

George

Roy wrote:

Neil wrote:...he no longer gets much pleasure from model trains.

I would guess he has a variety of interests, and as he gets more into one thing, other things are pushed to the side. That's the way it is with me. I like cars, tanks, stuff from Irwin Allen TV shows, etc. Some things more than others, at any given time. I can't tell you how many times I've circled back to trains.

Also, frankly, there's a lot of pressure on older folks, to give up things they value. In some cases, that can be very sad.

If I may ask, Roy, have you maintained a layout all along?
I have, since 1995, but am not sure what's next for me/us (my wife enjoys our having a layout.)

MurphOnMillerAve wrote:If I may ask, Roy, have you maintained a layout all along?
I have, since 1995, but am not sure what's next for me/us (my wife enjoys our having a layout.)

No, no layout for me.

Roy wrote:

MurphOnMillerAve wrote:If I may ask, Roy, have you maintained a layout all along?
I have, since 1995, but am not sure what's next for me/us (my wife enjoys our having a layout.)

No, no layout for me.

But considering how creative a mind you appear to have, I have a feeling you could have crafted a fabulous one.
Murph

Roy wrote:No, no layout for me.

MurphOnMillerAve wrote:But considering how creative a mind you appear to have, I have a feeling you could have crafted a fabulous one.
Murph

Thank you. I've made "carpet centrals" in the distant past, and I have enough sectional track to do it again. But I like to make, and remake, locomotives.

Roy wrote:But I like to make, and remake, locomotives.

Show us more of that, please?

Roy wrote:But I like to make, and remake, locomotives.

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:Show us more of that, please?

I'm happy to do so. The most recent engine I got to any degree of completion was a Lionel General, which is posted on this board. Aside from having put sand lines on it, it's no different from when you last saw it.

Now, I'm working on an early MPC 4-4-2 from a set. This is to go with my Milwaukee Special cars. It's too small to be a 1:48 model; it'll just be a one-of-a-kind. When the time is right, I'll post pictures of it on this here forum.

Compared to everyone else, I'm an extremely slow worker. I'm sorry about that, but I've got a serious problem with depression.

Roy wrote:Compared to everyone else, I'm an extremely slow worker. I'm sorry about that, but I've got a serious problem with depression.

It's not a race, as long as you are enjoying it, who cares how long it takes.

As for depression, makes me think of an old Mel Lazarus "Momma" cartoon:

Momma is at her ironing board ironing away singing Tra la la la la. One of her children comes in and asks: How are you Momma? Momma replies: Depressed, terribly depressed! Tra La La La La The child responds: You don't seem depressed!
Momma responds: I've been depressed for so long, I'm getting good at it!