I am firmly in the camp that the value of the trains is for fun. I think whether someone is a collector or an operator, the real value is in what joy they bring. Yes, there are items in this world, the rare, the items in mint shape, that are collectible and will appreciate in value, and if someone is doing it for that reason then the monetary value will matter, since that is why they are doing it.
I don't track the value of what I have, because I see it as a sunk cost into having fun. Doing that, if the time comes to sell whatever I have, whatever I get back is gravy, if I get a nice meal out of it for my wife and myself or maybe even help pay for something nice for her or my son, I'll be happy. I could see myself even giving it away to someone that I know will have fun with it and enjoy it.
