A related subject worth discussing.
I didn't collect for the sake of future monetary value. I collected (still do) assorted hardware left behind by the scrappers. Such items are fun to show in a living room bookcase. A Eureka & Palisades spike. A two foot gauge tie. A wood stave from an Alaska Highway culvert (1942). At least, I plan to tag these items before dementia sneaks in. I'll start giving items away, after obtaining clearance from our offspring. Who wants a 5 foot brake rod, clevis both ends?