The Amherst (MA) railway Society’s Annual Railroad Hobby Show is coming up soon - January 26 & 27. Who’s going and what are your plans? BTW it has been expanded to a fourth building this year.
I’m going! I have about $80 to spend so far! (That’s a lot of $$$ for train stuff for a teen like me!
I know a few others here are going, such as Guilford Guy.
This will be my first year, as long as nothing happens between now and then.
I’ll be going and so will about most of my club. Look for South Shore Model RR Club, always across from Tucker’s Hobbies and usually the Overland displays.
Lately, one of the hightlights of the weekend is dinner at the Steaming Tender in Palmer.
I will be going and once again I will work at the Danbury Railway Museum booth. J.R.
Is this bigger than Syracuse?
J.R.,
I’ll have to stop by, would be nice to meet you and check out the museum work. Usually go on Sunday, but may do both days this year.
My boy and I are going. I just received our advanced ticket order in the mail. I like to get the tickets in advance so we don’t have to stand outside at the ticket line - it can be a bit chilly.
Three buildings but two of them are not as big as the Center of Progress or Horticulturer building at the NY State Fair. However, the show has far better vendors and items that Syracuse (which is mostly a huge junk show).
I don’t think I’m going to Amhearst this year because I have most everything I need ordered and coming from my supplier. Its nearly a 4 hour drive each way and with the cost of gas, parking and entrance fee, that only drives up the cost of anything I might find making it cost more than what I might have otherwised paid. Its a good show but not worth the extra cost for me to go every year. It wouldn’t make sence unless I could carpool this year.
That is an understatment. Last year I drove, and no matter what the ice kept re-foruming on my wind shield on my new car - defroster going full tilt. It was wicked bad and I could barely see and drive.
Ahem, the Springfield show is now in four buildings this year. Looks like an additional 70 dealer tables and some more operating layouts. Last year, it was over 4 acres of display space. Now it’s even larger. If Springfield isn’t the biggest train show in the country, I’d like to know what is.
I’ll be there with Bob (bogp40) with most of the South Shore Model Railway Club. I’m heading out Friday afternoon, and won’t be back 'til Sunday night. It’s not just a train show, it’s an event.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
I could mention that we’re planning on being there with our City Classics display, but I did that once before and inadvertently listed the wrong dates, which Paul3 never let me forget, so I won’t.
Jim S.
Thankfully, we did show up on the right dates. : )
I will probably not be in attendance - the wall-to-wall crowds I encountered at my first show several years ago put me off that one.
I’ve yet to attend, but quite a few of my local friends have been going for the past several years. Travelling about 500 miles in winter weather just doesn’t interest me, although my friends haven’t had any problems yet. I’ve gotten a few things I’ve wanted by having them bring them back for me. In the long run they are probably not saving a whole lot of money, with the van rental, gas, lodging at a motel for two nights, and food. But its fun they say!
One thing I recall several of them saying - bring your own lunch! The consessions are really crowded and offer overpriced stuff that at times isn’t worth eating. Spend a whole lot of time in line, missing the show, and get hotdogs that one guy couldn’t eat.
Have fun!
I shall be over from the U.K. again this year, due to unforeseen circumstances I could not make the 2007 show, so I’ve got some friends to meet that I haven’t seen for 2 years. It will be a great weekend thats for sure. Looking forward to it, can hardly wait!!!. CPPedler
I was planning to attend, but since the accident I’m not sure my car will make it. Though it doesn’t seem to overheat anymore when I drive to work, the LHSs, etc., I don’t really want to push it with a 1-3/4 - 2hr. drive. It’s alright, though, I don’t really like big crowds anyways, and I need to focus on building my layout instead of buying more stuff.
We need name tags or something so we can recognise each other…
I know Guilford Guy had a T shirt with “GG” written on it with a sharpie…[8D]
I’ll be going, first time back in a few years. I have quite the list of items I’m hoping to pick up now that construction on my layout is in full swing again.
Missed it last year, but will definately be there this year. My wife has started the countdown - it’s part of my b’day present. Will I buy stuff? Don’t know and even if I don’t I know I’ll have a great time. The crowds really don’t bother me - just going to a show and soaking it all in - seeing what is available, watching the demo layouts and hanging with a couple hundred (thousand?) train nuts gets me pumped up to get to work on my projects. Hope to finally meet some of you!
Here is a clickable link. Floor layouts, vendor list and locations. Clinics. This is a huge help.
http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/
I have been going since it was a one day, one bldg show. I arrive at opening time Saturday with a list of vendors to check out and then view layouts. I live 10 miles away and belong to the Society.
Rich
The show is now just one week away. Anyone else making plans to attend?