Florida Life
CEO Hobbies - Arnold Travitsky
President and CEO of SkyTech Asso. shares how he spends his free time.
 Arnold Travitsky [Photo: Gregg Matthews] |
Arnold Travitsky, 64
President, CEO / SkyTech Associates
Altamonte Springs
Arnold “Arnie” Travitsky has collected toy trains for 52 years.
He estimates he has 1,000 pieces — mostly Lionel trains — and has a room in his home that’s dedicated to the trains, some of which date back to the 1920s. He has an operating layout where he can run the trains, as he says, “whenever I feel like it, 24/7.”
Most Cherished Train: Lionel 773 1950 Hudson Set with three Madison passenger cars and 1957 Lionel Canadian Pacific passenger set
How He Got Hooked: “At age 8 in 1954. My parents took me during the holidays to Macy’s in New York City. In the toy department, Lionel had a large model train layout, and the store sold Lionel trains. They would hand out a new catalog to each child and adult. Going through the catalog, I’d make a wish list. Always said to myself, ‘One day, I will have each train.’ ”
Train Prices: Range from $5 to $6,000, depending on the age and rarity.
Involvement: He’s been a member of the Train Collectors Association for 26 years and was president from 2004-08.
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