Leaving The Hobby

[BobZ]

Due to medical and physical problems I'm forced to leave this wonderful hobby. I need to sell all HO components that I've acquired over the years. Most (95%+) is Bachmann, with a small amount of Walthers rolling stock. Most items, other than track, are like new, still in their original boxes. Looking for suggestions on how best to do this.

[Len]

Craig's List, eBay are the immediate thoughts, both take a cut though, and do not pay for shipping. Some forums allow members to offer items for sale. And some on-line retailers buy used equipment, or sell it for you on a consignment basis. Trainz comes to mind for that, and there are a few others. Check their terms carefully before you decide though.

Len

[AVRProject]

I've thought long and hard about this since I'm also getting old.
I also look at the tools I've picked up for cheap over the years off ignorant kids selling on Ebay.
Getting an axle quartering jig for $10 along with $300 in other specialized tools means only one thing:  Another Model Railroader died.  That would be the only way I'd part with these rare and expensive items.
Those old-time tankers I spent weeks assembling, painting, and custom decaling.. only pried from my cold dead hands.
There comes a time when money is meaningless.  If you don't have a younger friend or family member to pass these to, call your nearest Model Railroader club.  You can search the Internet for groups that will purchase your whole setup at once, but they are there to make a huge profit and are likely to wait until you are dead to put out a low-ball offer.
I am going through my collection and I'm 1/4 finished assigning a monetary value to each item.  Some are still unassembled kits I haven't gotten to.  Tichy Train Group and Accurail items are more valuable than blue-box Athearn.  Leave that list for your named executor so they don't get cheated.  Look on Ebay if you don't know what things are worth - you'll be amazed.
Every time I think I've had it, something brings new life.  Recently, I had open-heart surgery.  I only expected to last a couple months, but now I have years.  It would have been a mistake to unload my Model Trains when I thought I was a goner.  Nobody visits me, so I converted my Living Room into a gym.
I've got endless tasks ahead of me as there is no end to Model Trains.  The layout is never done, and there's always cars and buildings to put together.
Sad to see someone giving up, but it's your life and your choice.  I just saw an article about using spackling compound for brick lines.  I need to try that.

[Len]

Another option for making a batch deal would be TranZ. Infor on their purchasing policies can be found here:

https://sellmytrains.com/how-it-works

Len

[JerryNup]

Cannot be

[JerryNup]

Golly-gee.

[JerryNup]

The excellent answer