I live in an area that is devoid of any big time train shows within a days drive. We have a very small local show at a musuem once a year but that is all. I have found numerous lists on line but they don’t typically list everything nor do they provide much info about the show. I really like attending the shows and brousing the layouts and vendors to discover new stuff even if I am not in a buying mood. Even the small show layouts can have gems of discovery that I can apply to my own layout.
I know about the big name shows and the ones that are well publicized but I have not seen a list that covers all the smaller local shows. Is there a really good listing somewhere I have not found?
It would be nice if MR could set up a calandar that lists all the well known shows as well as allows someone to post info about the small local shows.
In the upper right corner of this page in very small print it says “Resources.” Click on that and you will find a line that says “Coming Events.” There is a good index there that lets you enter your zip code and desired search radius and it will give you a list of shows that have been submitted.
Check Kalmbach’s list as described above, but it is dependent on submissions from the shows. So it’s a good start but not all inclusive.
I have found that venues like expo centers, fairgrounds, etc usually have a calendar of what’s coming.
Usually the only information is a contact number/web site for who is doing the show.
If you care to share where your are (city/state), I’m sure folks on this forum will chime in with shows they know about in your area and what they are like.
There is nothing listed for BC/ Bellingham, although I know there is a show at the Lynden fairgrounds every year. Decent show, too. You might have to hunt and peck for local events that may not have much publicity.
The Lynden Washington show is a really good one. There is another really good one just across the border in Chilliwack B.C. and another great one in Vancouver as well. A couple of smaller ones in the greater Vancouver area are good on a rainy day.
Putting the State where you live in with your avatar will help people help you. It is a big world.
I found three or four professional dealers that I see at train shows, and signed up for their email newsletters. This is where they list the shows they will be at, and sometimes the contents of new collections they have purchased.
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I have found out there are train shows almost every week in South Florida.
I live in rural Arkansas. I have checked with my LHS (1 hour away) and he told me about 2 shows per year that he knows about in Arkansas. Pretty sparce pickings. Arkansas is not a hotbed of model RR. I know of several shows in surrounding states that I go to from time to time. Biggest show I am aware of anywhere near to me (5 hour drive one way) is the OKC show in early Dec. Another show in Tulsa.
Thanks for the directions to the listing on this site. I had not discovered it previously. That looks like the type of listing I was hoping that MR might set up. Looks like it is already done.
Come join us at the “Family Magic of Trains” International Toy Train Expo! This event will be held Saturday July 7th and Sunday July 8th, 2018 from 10am to 5pm at the Expo Center located at 5150 Old Mill Plaza, Eau Claire, WI. Sponsored by Kalmbach Media, Model Train Classics LLC, Riverfest Group, and Operation Life Saver.
This exhibit will include Vintage Toy Trains, Collector Trains, Operating Layouts Vendors, Exhibitors, Train Dealers, Railroad Clubs, and Organizations
Door price is $5 - children 17 and under get in for free
PED: Why are you interested in train shows? Are you looking for inexpensive items, hard to find items, socializing, or seeing operating layouts?
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I am just curious. I go to train shows for hard to find items and to see the layouts. I make very few purchases at these train shows because my want list is very short. However, I go to as many train shows as I can looking for a gem.
All the reasons you cited. I like to check out the operating layouts because I often see stuff that is new to me and I may want to try myself. Seldom shop much but if I see a bargan, I may go for it. Plus…I like trains. The annual show (small) in my local area is at a train musuem that is in a building that used to build and maintain trains for the Cotton Belt. Lots of cars on display as well as original CTC panels and other neat stuff.
Longview used to have a decent train show, but I found little current evidence online that they are still doing a show. i did find this link, which may be of use to you.