Greetings,
I am looking at attending a model train show of some type on the east coast this winter. To make it worth my time and expense, I obviously want it to be large with alot of HO scale items. Would the Amherst model train show late January fit that bill? If not, what would be a better one to attend?
Thanks,
Mark
Well seeing that that show is probably the biggest in the U.S., it might seem to be the best choice. I haven’t been to the show, but many of my friends here in Canada travel the 10-12 hours to attend each year, staying two nights in motels. They never come back disappointed or empty handed!
Yes, the Amherst model train show is WELL WORTH the effort and cost to get in. They have, I think it is, 4 large buildings now packed with vendors of all types, and manufacturer’s exhibits of new and current products too. Plan to arrive early to get a closer parking space. lots of HO stuff, new and used. Decent prices seem to be the norm {at least in years past}
We were going again last year, but something came up last minute. This year after having to do a furnace replacement and a new roof we simply can’t afford to go.
We live in the Binghamton NY area so it is about a 5 hour drive or so to get there. What we do is make reservations at a hotel/motel across the border just south in Connecticut, as it is more likely to get a reservation there and not in Springfield MAss… After a day on our feet in all buildings, we don’t feel like driving back home so we stay and drive back the day after.
We generally take some cash, and spend what we have, and often want more!!!
Here is a link:
http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/
and vendors here:
http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/listofexhibitors.asp
you will see they have quite a list of exhibtors…
Good luck, if driving allow for inclement weather and get there early to get a good parking spot! SOme dealers can take CCs. others want cash, so be prepared.
You will likely find 3 times as much as you want and 4 times what you can afford! Take a list of what you are looking for and what you already have with you so you can pick and choose. If you see something you want on the first go around, it may be gone if you go back for a second or third go around. ANd you will want a few go-arounds.
Just my opinion, and experience. I would do it this year if we could again! Can’t wait til next year when we should be able to again!
[8-|]
Depending on where you are on the East Coast, this is probably the best show to attend. It’s located in West Springfield, MA, and it’s pretty easy to get to from major highways. “Amherst” is the sponsoring group, by the way. The town of Amherst is some distance away.
There are also some large shows in Timonium, Maryland. For those living further south, these are a good alternative without the long drive.
I’ve been to the West Springfield show a couple of times. It’s a great experience. As a skier, I can’t make it every year, but when I’m home that weekend and the weather isn’t too bad, I like to drive down for the day.
There is a lot of HO scale to be found at the Big E show. There is an ATM but the line can get quite long.
There is a CSX yard very close to the show grounds. A friend has a hot dog stand at the West end of the yard next to the former West Springfield train station. A great place to watch trains.
Sometimes the loco is stopped at the street crossing and the conductor goes over and buys lunch for himself and the driver.
This fellow a couple of years ago saw a train that had one freight car with one truck with wheels dragging and managed to call the yard office nearby. The train was stopped and car dragged back to the yard. Yard super told crews to make sure to stop at this guys stand.
Big E train show videos.
Rich
Best show in the country and the largest. Wear some good walking shoes and pack a lunch and bring something to drink, if you don’t want to stand in long lines at the food concessionairs (or pay the higher prices - I like to spend my money on trains!). There is an ATM near the main entrance (inside) but it runs out of money pretty early, so you should get your cash elsewhere, some vendors do take CC (as someone else mentioned). I wear a backpack, it’s easier than lugging shopping bags around and I have my hands free.
The Amhearst show is at the “Big E” in West Springfield, Mass. Check their website for other info http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/ . You can print out a map of the buildings and vendor list so you can pre-plan your visit. They give out programs as you enter that also have the map and vendor list.
Oh btw, there’s lots of train layouts to see too! The Amhearst Railway Society’s HO modular layout is one of the largest you’ll ever see. Also look up the Dry Hill modular layout as well, (they pulled a 235 car train last year - they may try to break that record this year). All scales are pretty well represented.
Yes, go!
I’ve been to train shows in Houston TX, Indianapolis IN, Lousiville KY, Syracuse and Rochster NY, northern VA and Baltimore MD. Oh, and I forgot to mention I’ve been at least 3 times to the Springfield?Amhearst MA show.
I’ll agree with all the other posters, Springfield/Amhearst is the best show I’ve ever been to bar none. The only down side is it is usually extremely frigid cold when the show is held so that is the only down side. Otherwise it is very large - 3 buildling full of vendors and displays and operating layouts. One is a very large building, and two medium sized halls. Expect to see many of your major model train manufacturers there to see their latest wares and pick their brains!
If you are within a couple hours drive, its definitely worth going. I only visited about 3 times in an 8 year period because I had to drive 3 and a half hours each way in blistering cold weather to get there and it was a looong day! But I always had a good time and saw more there than any other show. (disclaimer - I never went to any of the nationals)
It’s up to four buildings now and the fourth building is larger than the second and third ones combined.
Over the years there have been some years when it was unseasonably warm, so you just never know.
Jim
Cant say much others have not already. Very nice show, lots of very nice layouts, large amount of vendors and manufactures. Have been myself about 3-4 times over the last 6-7 years. Planning making it for the '12 show.
Tim
Go. Plan the trip and just go. It’s the Holy Grail. I go to two shows every year. The Amherst Show for my trains and the Barrett - Jackson show for my cars…You’ll never look at a train show the same way again.
I concur with everybody else…GO. There are plenty of chain hotels within minutes of the show that are priced reasonably and and a number or restaurants.
chris
Everyone, thanks for the info. I will try to make the trip in January.
I am from the midwest, and have attended Trainfest in Milwaukee. Have any of you attended both the Trainfest and Amherst shows? How do they compare?
Thanks,
Mark
Wow, sounds like the show has grown hair and legs! Four buildings! I guess it was just my luck it was extremely cold all the years I went! Now I live too far away to make it practical to got to that show - it’s out of my budget to travel that far right now for a train show.
Yes, It has grown to 4 buildings.
But, the show is at the END OF JANUARY in NEW ENGLAND. WHAT should one expect??? One SHOULD expect it be COLD OUTSIDE…BUT the buildings are heated…so you have to brave the cold from the car to the entrance fee booths and changing between the buildings ONLY. Obviously take a warm coat!
Go early to get a good close parking space!
Yes, I have been to both. Trainfest is a very good show. The building is fabulous since it’s almost new and they have plenty of layouts. Much of the show has draping and booths like a trade show. That allows folks to have more elaborate displays, but it takes up more room per exhibitor.
The Amherst show is almost all islands of tables except for a few manufacturers who bring their own booths. That permits more smaller vendors to attend since they can just get one or two tables. The Amherst show has many more dealers and manufacturers because they’re spread over four halls. I don’t know exactly how they compare as far as square footage, but the Amherst show is larger and has the most exhibitors I have seen at any show in this country. There are plenty of layouts there too.
Both shows are very good. They’re just slightly different. You’ll see some of the same dealers at both, but most dealers are from their respective parts of the country which makes both shows worth attending since there isn’t a lot of duplication.
Jim
You can eat in each building and there are some places on the street leading to the show. The lines can get long.
In the Better Living Center, there is always a Dunkin Donut set up.
Once place, Memo’s right across from what has been the main entrance since the beginning will be loaded with people attending the show. They do have excellent omelette’s.
A simple Google search for dining West Springfield Ma will bring up a lot of results.
Rich
There are also covered walkways between the buildings and if you have a handicap tag, post it before pulling into the parking lot. Workers will usually notice the tag and you can park closer to one of the buildings. Be advised, in this day and age, many have handicap tags.
Rch
I volunteer with the model RR group at Boothbay Railway Village in Maine, we have been exhibiting the show for many years both representing the museum and selling donated items to raise funds to continue construction of our layout. The show is great and has a lot of visitors. over the past 3 or 4 years (even with the bad economy) paid attendance has exceeded 20,000 for the 2 days. So expect crowds, but except for at some of the more popular booths and some choke points in the floor layout, things are not that bad. I have found the wait at the consession stands not that bad if you plan to eat before noon or after 1:00.
Plan some time to look at the layouts, there are lots of them and a lot of great modeling. Some you can just do some railfanning and others have a lot of good modeling ideas - bring a camera!!
Someone mentioned floor space, the show website says over 8 acres or 350,000 square feet of space. There are over 500 exhibitors and almost 300 on the wait list to get into the show - that says something about the quality of the show. This is the exhibitor list for last years show:
http://www.railroadhobbyshow.com/listofexhibitors.asp
For the past few years, Boothbay Railway Village has been in section 15 of the Better Living Center - drop by and say hello.
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I definitely agree with the rest of them. As a CT resident, it’s only about an hour away, and it’s my one MUST SEE event of the year. Unless you’re a fast walker, and never stop to browse in booths or look at layouts, don’t expect to see it all. They claim over 350K (yes, THOUSAND) square feet or over 8 acres of show space, and I believe it. About 25,000 people generally attend.
BTW, links to the list of Exhibitors are THIS year’s list – they start with the previous years list and modify it at necessary, so that it’s up to date.
Plan your “must see” vendors, layouts and displays (and the New England Lego Users Group is always an amazing sight), and if you get through those, browse at leisure. Food prices are ridiculous (aren’t they always at events like that), but you can bring your own.
And finally, FWIW, one of the reasons this show is in January is that the “Big E” is primarily and agricultural exhibition center, and it’s pretty much booked spring thru fall with horse shows, dog, shows, ag shows, and of course, the Big E event itself knocks out half of Sept and Oct. Don’t worry about the weather. Been there in rain, snow, and sun, with temps anywhere from near 60 to near 0 (and wind chills well below that). Decide to go, and just deal with the weather.
As a New Englander for close to a half-century now, I fail to see what all the fuss is about the cold and gettng a parking space close to the buildings. 10 degrees with a 30 mph wind is not a surprise. I have to deal with that regularly when taking out the garbage. Big deal.
If there’s fresh snow or mud, wear work boots, but make sure you’re comfortable in them. That walk in from the parking lot may seem long, but it’s nothing like the amount of time you’ll spend on your feet walking from exhibit to exhibit, booth to booth. Of course, you’re not likely to notice how tired you are until you’re on your way back to your car at the end of the day. You’ll be having way too much fun for that.