Great Midwest Train, Toy and Hobby show

This show is one of the former GATS shows. New managment has taken over the show and the turn outs seem to be good. It is at the DuPage county Fair grounds in Weaton Illinois.

If anyone form the forum attends this show, stop by and see me. I am in building two in the middle.
Come on down and say hi.

I am new to the hobby, mostly looking for toy trains this year for Christmas. Anyway, we went to the one in September (I took my 5-yr-old, 2-yr-old, and their Grandpa). We were pretty disappointed with the lack of running trains, but pretty impressed with the quantity of stuff available. I think there were 4 buildings?

Would be nice if they could convince one of the model RR clubs with a modular layout to set something up.

Anyway, the guy with the Lego layout saved the show for us, we bought some wooden trains from Whittle Shortline and looked for Amtrak and Metra coaches - once we get the Lionel set for Xmas this year I’ll probably have a lot more purpose in going. Plus hanging out on the forums a little and maybe getting one of the magazine subscriptions for Xmas would make a lot of the stuff a little less overwhelming.

Anyway, good luck with your table, maybe I’ll go back to one of the shows when I’m a little more aware of what I actually want/need!

I attend this show just about every month. The summer months were lack luster this year. Had some great deals at this show. Will be there this sunday. Starting to plan for the xmas layout.

I understand what you are saying. The show should be advertized as a “flea market of trains”. I have taken my 11 year old son a couple of times and he is glued to the Lego layout. The crowd attending seems to be getting younger from what I saw last month. With the holday season coming I would expect the attendance to increase.

I have two tables just down from the test track by the stage.

“With the holday season coming I would expect the attendance to increase.”

It won’t be busy tomorrow though.

Da Bears 5-0