Do you ever consider how many more years of good modelling you have left?
This is a very interesting point. I have found myself more involved with the ME fraternity over the last few months and my club does have its fair share of members who have reached "three score and ten". Many are now finding that they are not capable of building/running locos like they were a few years ago. Some are being very phlegmatic about it and selling off engines that they cannot use (or move) any more. The thought being that a project is easier to sell when the builder is still alive and able to talk with a potential purchaser than post-mortem when it will be passed on as a load of bits with no information.
This is countered by the 'it will never happen' brigade who still have projects that they will never finish. One lady of my acquaintance, whose husband died last year, left instructions that his collection should be split between his two grandsons. Sadly the 'collection' is of very limited value either financially or aesthetically. The poor woman and her family are stuck between the desire to follow Grandads wishes or just sell the lot for a small amount and split the money (neither of the grandsons or anyone else in the family has any interest in modelling at all). The majority of the collection is 1980's 00 Hornby/Lima with a G scale set (Bachmann and not a good one) and two part built 3 1/2 inch locos (badly made and not very far advanced)
My own Father was a great horder and when he died I had to clear out large amounts of 00 stock and unbuilt kits. Some dated to the 1960's, There were so many unbuilt wagons kits from one producer (still going) that I sold the lot back to them as I had no desire to flood the market and deprive someone of their lively hood. All this stuff had be collected for my Fathers retirement. A conservative estimate on the amount of unbuilt stock led me to realise that it would have taken him about 30 years to build all that he had waiting.
It is defiantly worth appointing a trusted individual/individuals to look at your collection should the worst happen. This should mean that it can be disposed of in a fitting manner that either allows it to go to those who would appreciate it or be sold for the best price and the money passed on to family members. I have various friends lined up to see to my tools, vehicles and models when the day comes
You "know not the hour" and having recently taken a funeral of a 35 year old individual who went to his doctor with a nasty cough, was hospitalised three days later after seeing a consultant and was dead within a week, it does bring it home to you.
Failing that, if you believe in reincarnation, just leave it all to yourself.
